The Quest for the Lost Shivalinga of Shri Neelkanth Mandir, Kishtwar

By Anil Kumar Bhagat

The land of Kishtwar, nestled in the folds of the mighty Himalayas, holds within its soil an untold history — rich, spiritual, and mysterious. Much of its past has been passed down through oral traditions rather than recorded texts. Among the many forgotten legends is one that speaks of a divine relic — the sacred Shivalinga of Shri Neelkanth Mandir — taken away centuries ago and still waiting to return home.

Neelkantha Shivlinga at Basohli

 

The Legacy of Raja Jagat Singh and the Divine Relic

In 1626 A.D., Raja Jagat Singh ascended the throne of Kishtwar following the death of his father, Raja Gaur Singh. During his rule, he invaded Bhaderwah and extended his territory. But as fate would have it, while he was away, Kishtwar was invaded by Raja Bhupat Pal of Basohli in 1627 A.D., who was aided by his fierce commander, Kantak Balauria. Kishtwar was looted, and in the fierce battle that followed, Raja Jagat Singh was martyred.

After seizing control, the invaders took with them a priceless treasure — the Shivalinga of Shri Neelkanth Mandir, once located near the Raja’s palace in the old bazaar. This Shivalinga was no ordinary stone. Carved from a gemstone-like black marble, it held mystical powers. Legend says it had the ability to reveal one's past life when viewed with pure devotion. It is said Raja Jagat Singh recovered the Linga from a well in Kurukshetra after hearing a girl recall her past birth and its connection to the Mahabharata war.

However, when a queen once saw her reflection in the Linga and appeared as a monkey, she threw it into fire, turning the Linga black. This act of disrespect was believed to have triggered a famine in Kishtwar, as the gods turned away in sorrow.

The Return of Bhagwan Singh and the Battle for Kishtwar

Upon learning of his brother’s death, Bhagwan Singh, who was a hostage at the Mughal court, secured an army of a thousand men with Emperor Shahjahan's permission. In 1642 A.D., he marched through the Marbal Pass to reclaim his homeland. A fierce battle took place at Chougan, where Bhagwan Singh's forces defeated the Basohli army. Kantak Balauria was slain, and folklore says that his head was kicked like a football across the battlefield.

To commemorate this victory, the “Kantak Yatra Mela” was celebrated in Kishtwar until the 1950s. With his victory, Bhagwan Singh regained Kishtwar and even extended its borders. Yet, the sacred Shivalinga remained in Basohli.

Ruins of Basholi Palace

 

The Forgotten Relic Hidden in Plain Sight

Despite combing through historical records and religious texts, I found no mention of the Shivalinga’s current whereabouts. No author, historian, or researcher had ever documented its rediscovery. Determined, I set off on a personal quest to Basohli to trace the missing relic.

Basohli is a town adorned with Shiva temples at almost every corner. After seeking answers from locals, priests, and even professors at the local government college, I realized that the key to locating the Shivalinga might lie in common logic: if a Raja stole a sacred relic, he would have likely placed it near his palace.

I asked if any such palace ruins existed near a Mahadev temple. To my surprise, the professors confirmed that such a place did exist — a Shiva temple located beside the remnants of an ancient palace and a large pond, much like the Sarkoot Pond in Kishtwar.

Face to Face with the Shivalinga

I followed their directions and found myself standing in front of a temple being cleaned in preparation for Mahashivratri. As I asked the locals about its origins and the legend of the Shivalinga from Kishtwar, they were astonished. One of them said, “In all these years, no one from Kishtwar has ever come here looking for this temple.”

As I stepped inside the sanctum, the sight of the Shivalinga overwhelmed me with emotion. Black, polished, majestic — it seemed to whisper its silent longing to return to its rightful home. I felt as if I was being blessed to witness a piece of Kishtwar’s soul, preserved in this foreign land.

Despite the devotion of locals and the temple's well-maintained condition, the Shivalinga’s yearning to return to its land of origin resonates with anyone who understands the depth of spiritual connection and heritage.

A Sacred Call to Action

We devote ourselves to pilgrimages like Shri Amarnath Yatra, Vaishno Devi, Machail Mata, and Sarthal Mata. But how many of us from Kishtwar even know that our ancient Shivalinga rests quietly in Basohli?

Isn’t it time to honor this relic that is a part of our divine history? Isn’t it time to unite as a community and take steps to bring the Shivalinga back to Shri Neelkanth Mandir in Kishtwar?

I call upon the Sanatan Dharm Sabha, local cultural organizations, community leaders, and the district administration of Kishtwar to initiate this process. Let us go beyond social media posts and actually walk the path of dharma. Let us do what our ancestors could not — restore a sacred symbol to its rightful home.

Final Thoughts

This is more than a story of a temple or a stone. This is about reconnecting with our spiritual identity. The Shivalinga has waited centuries for us to return. Let this generation be the one that answers the call.

If you are a devotee of Shiva, if you believe in the sanctity of our heritage, make the journey to Basohli. See the Shivalinga for yourself. And let this visit awaken the desire to see it back where it belongs — in the heart of Kishtwar.

✍️ Authored by: Anil Kumar Bhagat
📞 Contact: 7051350159
✉️ Email: anilk11111982@gmail.com

 

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