S Gopal Puri
Dharamshala: The Aghanjar Mahadev Temple, a centuries-old site of worship and spiritual practice located in Khaniyara village near Dharamshala, is at the centre of a growing dispute over its management. Local residents, saints residing at the temple, and district administration officials are at odds over who should oversee the sacred space.
The temple, set against the backdrop of the Dhauladhar mountains and surrounded by thick forests and a natural stream, is not only a place of worship for Lord Shiva but also carries deep spiritual significance. It is believed that the revered sage Ganga Bharti spent years meditating at this site, eventually entering a cave-like structure near the temple and asking disciples to seal it. He never emerged again. Local accounts say this cave still exists and carries inscriptions that narrate this event.
There are remnants of a Mrigshala (deer enclosure) or Vyāghracharma (the tiger or leopard skin) type of thing, not accessible to everyone. Also there is a Yagyashala, all pointing to the temple’s historical and yogic roots. Over the years, however, the site has become a subject of concern.
While some saints residing in the temple claim spiritual authority over the premises, locals argue that the temple’s sanctity is being compromised. Unverified reports and rumours about the use of intoxicants like bhang (Cannabis) within the temple premises have further complicated the situation, although no formal evidence has surfaced.
Adding to the tension, there are indications that the district administration is considering taking greater control of the site, citing mismanagement and the need for oversight. However, this move is being resisted by sections of the local community who believe the temple should remain autonomous — not governed by the state, nor by unregulated spiritual figures.
Residents and devotees are calling for a dedicated spiritual management body that can uphold the temple’s historic purpose: to promote meditation, yogic discipline, and spiritual upliftment. They argue that the temple should not turn into a picnic spot or casual tourist destination, but remain a place of devotion and inner transformation.
