Lalit Gupta
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Krimachi (Bhoti/Bhuti) (Lat. 32°57’52.97″N; Long. 75°07’11.23″E; Elev. 2,595 ft): The salubrious and small village of Krimachi, situated on a hillock on the western side of a tributary of the River Devak – called Bhuteshwari or Biru Nallah – near the fort, lies to the west of Laddha Dhar, about 12 kilometres north of Udhampur town on the Udhampur-Landhar road and 67 kilometres from Jammu.
Legend:
According to local folklore, the old principality of Krimachi derived its name from the Mahabharata character Raja Kichak. However, as per J.C. Sathe, the place may have been named after a Yaksha ruler, Raja Krimash. This possibility gains ground from the belief that many settlements around Mount Trikuta were inhabited by Yakshas ruled by a Yaksha king. It is suggested that such settlements existed under the mountain of Kai-Sangli and were ruled by Yaksha Raja Krimish, who finds mention in Buddhist literature and is described as a contemporary of the Indo-Greek king Menander, who ruled North-Western India, with Silakot as capital.
Archaeological excavations, alongside these legendary accounts, have revealed Kushana-period pottery, pushing the documented antiquity of Krimachi back to the 1st century CE.
The fort adjacent to the village, perched on a hill, was once a well-built structure with sandstone walls. It contains a tank, a large plain area, and the ruins of an ancient palace that served as the residence of local rulers. A few baolis (freshwater-springs) in the village, decorated with stone reliefs, are also located within the premises of a later temple.
History & Strategic Importance:
Krimachi is believed to have enjoyed considerable strategic importance between the 8th and 11th centuries due to its location on an ancient trade route. This route began at the farther end of the Dansal Dun – a ribbon-like valley stretching over 100 kilometres from Basohli on the right bank of the River Ravi – extending towards Pancheri, touching the Chenab River, and eventually leading to Kashmir. Generations of local rajas appear to have prospered by ensuring safe passage to caravans and levying duties from traders.
In the late medieval period, Krimachi served as the capital of a small state called Bhoti, named after its Bhatiyal Rajput rulers. It was one of the 22 hill principalities consolidated under a central authority by the Dogra ruler Ranjit Dev in the mid-18th century CE.
Around 1808, Bhoti came under Sikh control along with Jammu. Following the transfer of the hill tracts to Gulab Singh and his brothers, Bhoti passed fully under his authority. By 1834, the state was formally annexed, and a jagir was granted to the dispossessed Bhatiyal ruling family.
The Medieval Temple Complex:
Spread over more than two acres and constructed over a span of nearly two centuries, the Krimachi temple complex stands as a reminder of the region’s golden age, when local rulers patronised art and architecture with remarkable vision.
Locally known as the Pandava Temples, the complex consists of five temples and two smaller shrines. All face east except Temple No. 3. Temples 1, 2, 3, and the two shrines stand on a common platform; Temple 4 is on a higher platform, while Temple 5 is built at a slightly lower level.
Made in the Nagara style of North Indian temple architecture, and dateable to circa 8th-9th centuries, the Krimachi group of temples represents one of the finest examples of medieval temple architecture in the Jammu region. The introduction of this style was likely from socio-political contact between hill rulers and imperial centres during the Gurajara-Pratihara period.
Built with sandstone slabs and blocks, each temple is elevated from its environs by a platform or jagati, on which stands the body or the jangha, whose sanctum, the garbhagriha, is topped by a tower or shikhara, a type unique to Nagara style.
Architecturally, the temples consist of a garbhagriha crowned by a curvilinear shikhara, along with an elongated antarala featuring a sukhanasika decorated with kuta-shikhara and kalasha motifs. Some temples have a pillared mandapa in front of the antarala, believed by archaeologists to be later additions.
Externally, the temples follow a triratha or pancharatha plan and are square internally. The antarala walls feature trefoil arches and ceilings adorned with inverted lotus motifs beneath double-tiered triangular roofs. The curvilinear shikharas are embellished with clustered kalasha motifs and crowned with amalakas and kalashas. Door frames display decorative kalasha and conch motifs, while the fluted pillars bear pot-and-foliage designs.
Present Status:
Krimachi group of temples, an enduring symbol of the medieval architectural and artistic heritage of Krimachi and Jammu & Kashmir, is a protected monument commendably preserved by the Srinagar Circle of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). With well-maintained gardens, lawns, and thoughtful landscaping, the site has emerged as one of the important archaeological landmarks of the region. The ASI deserves appreciation for its sustained conservation efforts since assuming responsibility for the monuments in the 1960s.
In recent years, the long-standing issue of accessibility has also been addressed, with the road to the monument reportedly operational for the last few years. This development marks an important step forward, easing access for tourists, students, researchers, and pilgrims who once had to traverse a difficult stretch on foot.
Heritage monuments thrive not only on structural preservation but also on responsible public engagement. Safe and reliable access enhances visitor experience, encourages educational visits, and strengthens the site’s role in regional tourism and cultural awareness. Sustained attention to infrastructure, signage, visitor facilities, and maintenance will further ensure that preservation efforts are matched by accessibility and outreach. In doing so, the legacy of Krimachi will remain not only protected in stone but also connected, relevant, and accessible to future generations.
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