In the picturesque vicinity of the Jehlum River, nestled amidst the majestic Chinar trees, lies the historic Harish Chandar Ghat temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva in the form of Shiva Vijayeshwara. This temple, also known as Vijayeshwar or Harishchandra temple, holds a rich history dating back centuries.
The central deity revered in this temple is represented by 11 lingams collectively known as ‘Ekadash Rudr’. Within its sacred precincts, one could find a figurine of Nandi, the bull, and various other ancient fragmented sculptures, including an irregular stone known as ‘Kah Kah Pal’.
The temple’s General Secretary, Pran Nath Tikoo, revealed a unique aspect that once graced the temple grounds. It was a distinctive conch-shaped stone, locally referred to as ‘Kah Kah Pal’. In the Kashmiri language, ‘Kah Kah’ translates to eleven-eleven, and ‘Pal’ means stone. Tikoo recounted the extraordinary nature of this stone, which would astound onlookers. When individuals chanted ‘Kah Kah’ and joined forces, it would miraculously rise, defying its weight of 70-80 kilograms.
What made this feat even more astonishing was the precise number of individuals required to lift it – exactly 11, using only their index fingers. “Isn’t it astonishing that 11 people’s index fingers could raise such a heavy stone?” Tikoo wondered.
A video shot in 1977 captured this remarkable phenomenon, where 11 individuals placed their fingers on the stone, chanted ‘Kah Kah’ in Kashmiri, and witnessed the stone being lifted. Crowds gathered to witness this astonishing sight.
The significance of ‘Kah Kah Pal’ goes beyond its intriguing ability. An Urdu text referenced a stretch known as Kheter Sadh, encompassing the region from Har Nag to Ghumri Singam. It was believed that those who meditated in this area after taking sacred offerings returned with newfound vigor. Pandits and Acharyas of Vajeyshwar were among the devotees of Mata Bhagwati, the goddess of the temple. The lore spoke of a sage and yogi who had cursed a priest named Neel Pandit, leading to an unfortunate transformation.
However, as astonishing as the ‘Kah Kah Pal’ was, it has mysteriously vanished in 1990. Despite efforts to trace its whereabouts, it has left no trace, said one Kashmiri Pandit .
“Even the Archaeology and Museums Department in Srinagar has no clues regarding the stone’s disappearance,” said a Kashmiri Pandit, who lives in the area.
