Himachal Pradesh HC orders ASI to start repair of Mrikula Devi Temple in a month

Shimla: Himachal Pradesh High Court has directed the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to constitute a team of scientific experts and also other representatives from other Branches within a week to inspect the dilapidated Mrikula Devi Temple at Udaipur in District Lahaul & Spiti and submit the estimate for making necessary repair of the Temple.

Mrikula Devi temple has immense historical importance in the State.

The Court further directed ASI to ensure that funds are provided for repair, maintenance and preservation of the temple and to commence the necessary repair works within a month thereafter, so as to complete the same expeditiously.

A Division Bench comprising the Chief Justice Mohammad Rafiq and Justice Sandeep Sharma, passed these orders on a writ petition taken up suo motu as Public Interest Litigation(PIL), on a report submitted by the Secretary, District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Kulllu, regarding the dilapidated condition of Mata Mrikula Devi Temple, Udaipur, District Lahaul & Spiti.

It has been reported by the Secretary, DLSA Kullu that the roof between both the portions of the temple is bending and can collapse at any time. One of the old wooden pillar is bursting. The outer side of the roof is also falling, the colour of the temple was removed by the archaeology department in order to repaint the same but thereafter, the temple has not been painted at all.

He has further stated that the protection of the said temple was taken over by Archaeology Department in the year 1989. The priest of the temple also submitted an application to the Court in this behalf, which was sent to the Deputy Commissioner, Lahaul & Spiti for appropriate action in the matter, but repairs are yet to be carried out in the said temple.

During the course of hearing Ms. Vandana Misra, the Amicus Curiae, produced several photographs of Mata Mrikula Devi temple which showed that the temple is in a dilapidated condition.

The roof of the temple is temporarily supported by use of wooden planks, the walls on all sides have cracks. The temple is declared as a protected monument by respondent Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

According to the conversation, which Amicus Curiae had with Pujari of the temple, this temple, if not immediately repaired, may collapse at any time.

Going through the status report, filed on behalf of the ASI, the Court found the explanation given by the ASI wholly unsatisfactory and the Court observed that the pace at which the respondents are proceeding would surely endanger the very existence of the structure.

The case has been fixed for 13.05.2022 to see further progress in the matter. (UNI)