MAMAL TEMPLE- PAHALGAM

Located on the hill top right to the Stream of Lidder River in Pahalgam, Mamal Temple dates back to 400 AD

MAMAL TEMPLE- Outer View

Path to the temple from the gate

Main view of the temple- water spring in front of the shrine

Left side view of the temple

Right side view of the temple

It is considered probably the oldest temple of Kashmir Valley. Kalhana’s Raja Tarangini mentions that the temple is built by King JayaSinha who adorned the temple with a golden Kalasa.

8 feet square pedestal with two vertical columns in the entarnce

An eroded sculpture on the right wall of the Mandapa

A similar eroded one on the left side of the Mandapa

It is an 8 feet square stone temple of Lord Shiva as Mameswara. A spring of pure water arises under the site of the shrine. 

Spring of water arising from under the Shrine 

It is believed that it is the same spring under which Goddess Parvati bathed and asked Lord Ganesha to safe guard the entrance and do not let anyone inside. Thus the name Mamal- “Mam mal” which means do not go.

Lord Shiva in the Garbagirha

Lord Shiva was denied entry by Little Ganesha which left him in fury. Shiva in anger decapitated Ganesha and later at the request of Parvati brought him back to life.

There was a conjoined twin bull with two heads joining into one body made up of black marble. The probable meaning of it is not understood but it was quite interesting. I never saw such a sculpture in any Shaivite shrine till now.

This I felt quite interesting.!! 

There was no priest in the temple at the time when I went. There were few local Kashmiri Muslims who guarded the temple who have no knowledge about the temple. I couldn’t get any further info about the temple.

our local guides

A J&K State Museum Board which gives some info about the temple

But overall, it was a good ancient monument to see.