Youth-Led Initiative Revives Ancient Shiva Temple in Himachal Pradesh

Rediscovery of a Historical Treasure

Munish Sood
MANDI:
A centuries-old Shiva temple, hidden for years beneath thick forests and soil layers in Harabag village, Jogindernagar, has been brought back to light through an inspiring youth-led movement. This initiative has reignited interest in the region's faith, history, and collective identity in Devbhoomi Himachal Pradesh.

The Harabag Shiva Temple is not merely a religious site; it is believed to date back to the era of the Pandavas, serving as a significant link to ancient Himalayan civilization. Although it had faded from the physical landscape, its legacy lived on through local folklore. The temple's revival in 2025 marks a pivotal grassroots heritage movement in the area.

Once concealed under debris and neglect, the temple was forgotten as paths disappeared and worship ceased, allowing nature to reclaim the site.

However, the stories of this sacred place endured among the elders and villagers. The temple's unique stonework, large monolithic slabs, and mortarless joints, along with broken Nandi idols, reflect architectural styles found in other Pandava-era temples in Himachal, such as those in Baijnath and Mandi’s Panchvaktra Temple.

A natural water kund located near the shrine adds to its historical and spiritual significance. Locals believe this water possesses medicinal and sacred qualities, a belief that remains strong.

Oral traditions indicate that the shrine was once situated along a crucial route of the former Mandi princely state, where kings would stop for ritual bathing and worship of Shiva, highlighting its role as a vibrant spiritual and social hub for centuries.

The temple has endured significant damage from historical events. Mughal invasions during the 17th and 18th centuries are thought to have caused destruction to its idols and structures, remnants of which can still be seen today.

Furthermore, the catastrophic Kangra earthquake of 1905 is believed to have buried the temple entirely under earth and vegetation, leading to the cessation of worship and the disappearance of access routes, leaving the shrine to exist only in legends.

Over the years, fear and superstition surrounded the site due to its proximity to cremation grounds, broken idols, and dense forest cover, discouraging visits. The area remained neglected until local youth decided to break the silence.

Efforts to uncover this ancient treasure began on July 31, 2025, when Vijay Bhatia, a member of the Jogindernagar zila parishad, along with local youth, formally reached out to the administration, requesting protection and revival of the shrine. Despite multiple appeals, no official survey or conservation efforts were initiated for nearly three months.

Determined to make a difference, the youth took matters into their own hands. Around this time, Shiva devotee and social media influencer Shivansh Sharma visited the site, sharing videos that showcased the temple's condition to a wider audience, sparking renewed interest and local enthusiasm. He dedicated over a month to voluntary service at the site.

The initiative culminated in an extraordinary 28-day shramdaan campaign, where volunteers meticulously cleared soil, bushes, and debris, revealing buried stones and studying the original layout while preserving each element. Gradually, the temple's foundation, sanctum, and sacred water kund were uncovered, attracting visitors from afar who came to support the cause.

On December 2, the district administration intervened, halting the activities, citing the land as government property. The youth clarified that their efforts were solely focused on cleaning, preserving, and worshiping, driven by faith and service.

In response, the volunteers took a respectful approach: broken idols were covered, and regular worship of the ancient Shivling resumed. Morning and evening aartis were conducted, priests were appointed, and on December 15, a grand jagran and community feast attracted hundreds, symbolizing social unity.

The initiative has garnered immense public support, with over 1,000 participants, including NCC and NSS volunteers, students, villagers, women, and elders. Temporary waterproof shelters were erected to protect the structure from the elements, all while adhering to legal boundaries.

When work was halted, the youth opted for democratic engagement rather than confrontation. A signature campaign across Jogindernagar collected over 3,000 signatures from diverse demographics, all calling for official permission for the temple’s conservation and revival. Despite ongoing discussions, the official response has remained unchanged.

The youth are now seeking only formal approval and guidance for the protection and revival of the ancient Pandava-era Harabag Shiva Temple.

This revival is not merely a social media phenomenon but a testament to sustained effort, sacrifice, and collaboration. Key figures in this movement include Shivansh Sharma, Vijay Bhatia, and local youth leaders such as Kuldeep Thakur, Gaurav Barwal, Manoj Labbu, Vikrant Bakshi, Prashant Bakshi, Aditya Singh, Ashish Awasthi, Vatsal, Shubham Walia, Rakesh Kumar, and Nityanand Awasthi, along with the Gram Sudhar Sabha Harabag, NCC/NSS volunteers, college students, and village youth. The women of the area have played a crucial yet understated role through their continuous service, food arrangements, and ritual support.