New Shivalaya in Junga tehsil opens its doors to people of all castes, religions and communities
Shimla, August 21: Trahai village in Junga tehsil reverberated with chants of “Har Har Mahadev” as a five-day Shivling Pran Pratishtha and Sthapana ceremony concluded with a celebration of religious faith, devotion and social harmony.
The newly established Shiva temple has emerged as a symbol of inclusivity in the region, with its founders declaring that people of all castes, religions and communities will be free to enter the temple, seek the blessings of Lord Shiva and worship according to their faith.
The initiative stands out in the rural landscape, where access to some traditional temples has historically been restricted for certain communities. The new Shivalaya, however, has been conceived as a space open to all, promoting equality and social harmony alongside religious devotion.
The consecration ceremony began with a grand Kalash Yatra, during which devotees brought holy water from the Giri River to the temple complex. Nearly 300 women from different castes and communities participated enthusiastically in the procession.
Acharya Sumit Bhardwaj, along with four other ritual experts, conducted the religious ceremonies and rituals over five days. The Shivling was also taken in a procession accompanied by traditional musical instruments, drawing a large number of devotees from the surrounding areas.
The ceremony concluded with a community feast attended by devotees not only from the Junga region but also from neighbouring areas of Sirmaur and Solan districts.
The temple was established by Satyapal Thakur and his wife Vishma Thakur, who said the project was inspired by the long-standing wish of their late mother to build a Shiva temple.
The Shivling installed at the temple was brought from the Narmada region of Madhya Pradesh, they said.
Satyapal Thakur said his vision was to challenge restrictive social traditions and create a place of worship where everyone could offer prayers without discrimination.
“Our aim is to make this temple not only a centre of religious faith but also a symbol of social unity and harmony,” he said.
He added that his elder brother Jatiram, Pratap Singh, Virendra Kumar and Tara Dutt, along with other villagers, played an important role in the construction of the temple and the successful organisation of the Mahayagna.
As the five-day celebrations concluded, the chants of “Har Har Mahadev” continued to echo through Trahai village, marking the beginning of a new religious space built around devotion, inclusion and social harmony.
