Shiv Temple Kasel – An ancient Lord Rama’s maternal village
Kasel is a historic village located in the Tarn Taran district of Punjab, India, approximately 20 kilometers west of the district headquarters, Tarn Taran Sahib.
Historical Significance:
Local legends suggest that Kasel was originally known as Kaushalyapuri, named after Mata Kaushalya, the mother of Lord Rama, who is believed to have worshipped here. Over time, the name evolved to Kasel.
The village is renowned for its ancient Shiva temple, which holds significant historical and religious importance. The construction of this temple is about 2050 years old which was done by Maharaja Bikramjit ji. The four temples of the world are Kashi, Kalanur, Kaaba, and Kassel which are historical and ancient.
It is said that Maharaja Ranjit Singh recognized the temple’s significance and awarded revenue rights (‘jagir’) to its custodians. The temple’s well was famed for its ‘amrit’ (sacred water), believed to cure stomach ailments, and water from this well was reportedly sent daily to Lahore for Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
Maharaj Ranjit Singh ji came to the village for some reason and paid obeisance in the temple
At that time Mahant Baba Shiv Puri ji requested to drink water from the well in the temple, then Maharaj Ranjit Singh ji said that the water for me comes from Haridwar Ganga. Drinking any more water would cause stomach ache.
Mahantji said, Maharaj, the water of this well is also suitable for you to drink. When Maharaj drank the water, he did not feel pain. For Maharaj Ranjit Singh ji, water was used to send Lahore.
At that time, Maharaja ji was happy and gave an annual donation of 1800 rupees, which was equivalent to 18 crores today. Maharaj ji also planted hundreds of acres of land which the British distributed to their followers.
Cultural and Social Aspects:
The village has a rich cultural heritage, with the ancient Shiva temple being a focal point for religious activities. Despite its historical significance, the temple has faced neglect over the years. The village has also been affected by social issues; for instance, there have been reports of suicides linked to drug addiction.
Geographical Location:
Kasel is situated near other villages such as Dhand, Havelian, and Jagatpura. It is accessible via local roads connecting to Tarn Taran and Amritsar. The village falls under the Tarn Taran assembly constituency and the Khadoor Sahib parliamentary constituency.
Notable Features:
– Prachin Shiv Mandir: This ancient temple is a significant religious site in Kasel. It is believed that Maharaja Ranjit Singh would have water from this temple’s well transported to him for its healing properties. The documents of this temple were made in 1853 and the registration of the temple took place on 13 April 1875. Mandir Gaddi Nashin Mahant is the patron of the service of the family.
– Educational Institutions: The village hosts several schools, including the Government Senior Secondary School and Sri Guru Harkrishan Public School, contributing to the educational development of the area.
– Contributions by the village: The contribution of the village Kasel was the first in the service of the country. Many warriors were martyred while serving the country, in whose memory the annual Day has been going on for 120 years. In 1914-1915 First World War 112 men went to war out of which only 12 men returned. 100 were martyred. Even after independence, many young people from the village joined the army. About 14 colonels and 3 brigadiers were born from village. Even today, more than 200 youths are serving the country by joining the army.
The great son of the village, Prof. Late Kirpal Singh Ji Kasel, as a great Punjabi co-worker. His name was known all over India, though he spent only a short time in Kassel, but Professor Saab ji kept his name after Kassel.
