R N Thakur
About 350 years old Shri Ram Mandir Kaikoot, located at an altitude of about 2900 metres (approx. 9600 ft.) from the sea level near the famous Brahama Peak in Anantnallah Village of Tehsil Dachhan Distt. Kishtwar, is a heritage site. The construction of this centuries old temple dates back to 17th century A.D. when Raja Maha Singh, was the ruler of the then State Kishtwar, now District Kishtwar, between 1650 to 1663 A.D. (Facts Taken from the books titled as “Tarekh Kishtwar” written by Hashmet Ullah Khan, “History of Kishtwar” by D.C.Sharma. “Focus on Jammu and Kashmir” by Aseer Kishtwari and Tourism Potential of District Kishtwar by Hans Raj Bhagat.) The temple is made of Deodar (Cedar) wood believed to be brought from “Turin Bham” forest area located in between villages Tunder and Prangas of Dachhan, approximately 30 kms away from this heritage site. The Mandir is about 310 kms away from Jammu and about 82 kms from District Head Quarter Kishtwar.
Kaikoot is a huge green meadow with gentle slopes surrounded by perpetual snow-capped mountains with heart stealing silver coloured waterfalls. Originally, it was an agricultural land owned by the ancestors of village Nanth Nallah. By the passage of time they left cultivating it and is a now in an abandoned position, forming the shape of a meadow. There appear some habitation remains in/near the area. Therefore, this Mandir might have been constructed by those ancestors for worship, religious and spiritual purpose. Presently this land is used as halting station of Shree Hudh Mata Trisandhiya Yatra. As per an interesting local tale, once there were living two saints (Guru and Chella i.e Disciple) here. Being the staunch devotees of Lord Brahama, their main aim was to climb the Holy Brahma Peak. Every day they lied to climb the holy peak but failed to secure their destination in a single day, so they used to sleep in a mid-way; but next day they found themselves on the same place where from they had started climbing. Their attempt continued for long twelve years but failed . One day the Guru Saint had gone for a usual bath early morning and asked his disciple not to open the lid of the pot in which he had put the food for cooking. However, the disciple in anxiety opened the lid and saw a snake boiling inside the pot. On return, the Guru distributed the food into two equal parts but the Chela (Disciple) refused to take it but the Saint ate his share also. By eating that food the Guru got the flying power and flew towards the Brahma Peak which was his main aim. In this way, Guru Saint obtained salvation after long twelve years’ of dedication, devotion and faith. After seeing this, the Chela (Disciple) also ate the left over grains of the food, but could not fly to the peak of Brahma peak.
Adjacent to this temple are Shri Mudh Mata/Trisandhiya Mata shrines, Doodh Gaga, Braham Sarovar and famous Brahma peak worth seeing tourist spots. Trisandhiya Mata shrine is in the form of a stream/Nadi considered and worshipped as Ganga Mata. It is famous because in it the water flows naturally thrice a day from the top of a hill near renowned Brahma Parvat and stops naturally. It is not a regular flowing Nadi. The water starts receding from the bottom upwards. One can see the water coming from upper side but finds no water in the bottom of the stream/Nadi. There is no pond or any lake on the top of the hill wherefrom the water could flow. The water comes out from within the mountain intermittently. It is really a miracle worth seeing. To have a bath in this pious water is also considered auspicious.
One can visit this heritage site at any time during summer season. During the annual Yatra of Shri Hudh Mata -Trisandhiya Yatra, the devotees pay their obedience and also get a chance to see the heritage site. This nine days annual Shree Hudh Mata Trisandhiya Yatra shall start on 20th June, 2023, from Dharallan Nagri Kathua. Night halt stations are Hudh Mata Mandir Beli Charana Jammu, Gouri Shankar Mandir Kishtwar, Radha Krishan Mandir Sounder, Virat Mata Mandir Dilgooth, Googath and Kaikooth. One can perform this Yatra in five days also. Transport facility is available upto village Sounder. Rest of the journey of 20/25 miles is on foot.
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