Rajinder Chand Anthal
The Radha Krishan Temple is situated in Shergarh Mohalla of Chenani town. The inhabitants of Chenani and nearby villages visit this temple regularly to seek blessings of Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha for their well-being and prosperity. Normally there are Shiv Temples everywhere in Chenani area as Lord Shiva is the protectorate God of “RAJ GADDI” of Chenani and there is no Radha Krishan Temple elsewhere in Chenani except this.
This temple was built by Raja Gajender Chand of Chenani in eighteenth century. Raja Gajender Chand was a religious minded ruler, who got constructed many temples in his area including the famous Devi Mandir of Sudhmahadev. The Radha Krishan Temple has been built on a raised platform. The architectural design of this temple is unique. Outside the temple there is large size stonemade courtyard for assembly of large number of devotees. Chiseled stones of superior quality have been used for the construction of this temple. Nearby the temple, there are remains of old Dharamshala and residential building of Pujari with stylish wood carving designs.
The Shergarh Mohalla of Chenani got importance when the capital of Chenani state was shifted here from Mantalai sometime after the rule of Raja Bhag Chand. Shergarh Palace was constructed at the extreme lower end of the town and a small temple of Jalandhara Mata was constructed in the Palace with a water reservoir. The Shergarh Palace finds mention in travel accounts of G.T. Vigne who passed through Chenani in the year 1842.
As per historical sources, the queen of Raja Gajender Chand was great devotee of Radha Krishan, so on her request the King got constructed this beautiful temple near the palace and donated hundreds of Kanals of land to this temple in Chaskoo area of Chenani. The full size idols of Radha Krishan installed in this temple are unique in looks and very attractive. The royal family has donated costly Gold jewelry items to Radha Krishan. The idols of Radha Krishan remain decorated with this costly jewelry and it is not removed even during night hours. It is said that Queen of Raja Gajender Chand used to visit this temple regularly. The royal family continued this practice till 1947-48 when Chenani Raj was merged with the State of Jammu &Kashmir. The elders of Chenani remember the visit of Royal Queen and Raj Mata to this temple. On the day of visit, the route from Palace to the temple was decorated and essence of ITAR of flowers was sprayed en route. Large number of people would stand on the sides of the foot path to welcome Royal family with flowers.
About thirty years ago, some thieves stole gold jewelry items from this temple at night, but surprisingly these items were found in nearby bushes next day. When police caught the thieves in some other case, they told that they had also stolen jewelry from Radha Krishan temple Chenani and in that dark night they proceeded towards Motor Shed nallah but after travelling for some distance they became completely blind to move forward. When they turned back, they regained their sight. So fearing complete blindness, they had thrown the gold items in the bushes near the temple and fled away.
From ancient times, this temple has remained epicenter for the celebration of festivals like JANAM-ASHTHMI and BASANT-PANCHAMI with great pomp and show. One day before the JANAM-ASHTHMI festival, the people of Chenani assemble in the temple at night to organize KIRTAN by singing bhajans in the glory of Lord Krishna. For this purpose, the locals have constituted a KIRTAN-MANDLI consisting of reputed singers. The singing of Bhajans continues till midnight, the birth time of Lord Krishna. After celebrating the JANAM-UTSAV, the people take rest in the temple. Early in the morning great preparations start for the celebration of JANAM-ASHTHMI festival. A beautiful JHANKI is organized by keeping child artists as Radha and Krishan in specially decorated Palki-rath. The Jhanki passes through the main bazar of Chenani. The shop keepers and residents come forward to welcome the Jhanki and get PARSAAD with the blessing of RADHA KRISHNA. The Kirtan mandli sings bhajans throughout the route by using old musical instruments. Till afternoon, the Jhanki reaches back to the temple, where BHANDARA is organized and PARSAAD is distributed among the people.
The second important festival to be celebrated in this temple is BASANT PANCHMI. This festival is celebrated in a unique way as per tradition being followed from Royal times. The residents of Chenani gather in RADHA KRISHAN temple on the auspicious occasion of BASANT PANCHMI in the morning wearing colourful dresses, with light yellow turbans. In the temple kitchen, large quantity of YELLOW HALWA is prepared in huge iron KADHAI, which is in use from the time of Chenani kings. After the preparation of HALWA, the first Prasad is offered in the temple and entire halwa is transferred into a large brass TRAMBADI. It is covered with yellow cloth and carried on head towards DEV STHAN of Baba Pehad on thebank of river Tawi in lower Shergarh area. The devotees proceed in straight queues towards river Tawi carrying yellow flags in their hands. On reaching the sacred point, some devotees take bath in Surya Putri Tawi and offer PARSAAD to Baba Pehad and Baba Sham Gir. Pertinent to mention that Baba Pehad is Devta of entire Duggar Pradesh and Baba Sham Gir was a sadhu who used to live near the Devsthan of Baba Pehad during the time of Kings. It is said that baba Sham Gir had attained some spiritual powers due to his Bhakti on the banks of river Tawi. In this way, the public remembers him as a local deity and seek blessings from him for the prosperity of the residents of the town.
Local Mathur family is the pujari of Radha Krishan temple. The elders of this family were also the head cooks of the royal kitchen of Raja of Chenani. The temple is nicely maintained with the income from the temple land and public donations. The youth of Chenani and elders have great faith in this temple. It is widely believed that there is prosperity in Chenani area due to the blessings of Goddess Radha and Bhagwan Shri Krishan.
(The author is former Zonal Education Officer, Chenani)
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