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Rathi A Menon
NAHAN, MARCH 24: The 426-year-old temple dedicated to Goddess Bala Sundari at Trilokpur, 24 kilometres away from Nahan near the border with Haryana, is an amalgamation of Indian and Persian styles of architecture. Renovation of this old shrine has involved another amalgamation, namely art and activism.
Last week, as part of the renovation effort, the Shri Mahamaya Bala Sundari Ji Temple Committee released a cassette of bhajans dedicated to the deity. Titled Jaya Mata Bala Sundari Bhakti Sagar, the cassette is the brainchild of Sirmour district Deputy Commissioner Rakesh Kaushal, who heads the temple committee.
Kamal Tewari, equally well known as a singer and as joint director of Haryana's Department of Cultural Affairs, sings the opening track. Sector 11 Government College for Girls lecturer Ratnika Mohan stirs the soul with her rendition of the bhajan Barambar bulao Maa'. Three children, Ruhi, Savvy and Mitika, sing Chotte se gaav mein, a lyric which encapsulates the story of the temple while Jainendra Singh, the popular compere, strings it all together with an evocative narration. Kanwar Iqbal's music is upbeat and catchy.
According to legend, the temple built in 1573 by Sirmour Raja Pradeep Prakash came up following a shortage of salt in the region; a local trader appealed to the goddess for help and his prayer was answered. The trader's descendants perform the temple rites to this day; Kaushal believes that the temple is unique in that the temple priest belongs to the Vaishya caste. It is also said to be the only temple dedicated to the goddess in her child form.
The temple was last renovated in 1851. With the current renovation, the Temple Committee has not only restored the temple but expanded the complex to include a community kitchen with dining hall, sulab sauchalayas and bus stand. The committee has taken up construction of a full-fledged serai to accommodate those who attend the temple's semi-annual fair. It also wants to make Trilokpur a model village and has plans for water-supply augmentation scheme and installation of street lights.
Copyright © 1999 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
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