SHIV MANDIR

ESTABLISHMENT AND DEVELOPMENT OF SHRIMAN TILLA SHIV MANDIRnJ. B. THAPA and I. K. SUBBAnZotlang, AizawlnShiv Mandir of Shriman Tilla was formed under the initiatives of Dhansingh Lama (Supervisor under Lushai Hills Superintendent) and Bir Bahadur Chhetri (Chowkidar at Bara Bazar) in the year 1920. The temple was located in Zarkawt, Aizawl at Pu. Malsawma’s land, while the place was also popularly known as Gola Ghar during those times. The temple was built in a conventional Assam type, layout in six foot by six foot space.nFrom the year 1920 to 1947, the temple became the kernel and quintessence for the Hindu community within the state. It was hence, visited habitually by different Hindu devotees of Aizawl areas such as Maubawk, Khatla, Lawipu, New Capital, Bara Bazar, Dinthar, Tuikual, Vaivakawn, Hunthar, Zotlang, Tanhril, Rangvamual, Chaltlang, Durtlang, Zemabawk, and Dawrpui Vengthar. In 1947, the temple was re-located at Pu. Kapthanga’s land at Gurung Tol (Dawrpui Vengthar) under the management of Shri. Bir Bahadur Chhetri. Thenceforth, it was popularly known as Mahadev Than.nUnder the guidance of Shri. Bir Bahadur Chhetri, the temple was once again relocated at Shriman Tilla (Zotlang). Consequently, till 1949, Pandit Bhuwananda was the priest in charge, thereupon, Pandit Churamani’s pupil, named Pandit Motilal Upadhya served till his last breath. The temple was built in a prevalent Assam type, layout in 10 feet x 10 space. After the establishment of the temple at Zotlang, the administration was operated from 1957 till 1964 by Shri. Motilal Thapa, the headman of Zotlang. From 1964, under the chairmanship of Shri. Ganesh Bahadur Limbu, the Shiva Mandir Puja Committee was set up. Hitherto, the Committee is perpetual and perennial.nIn 1972, under the supervision of Shri. Babulal Lama, chairman of Mizoram Gorkha Rajya Panchayat and vice chairman of Gorkha Sangh, the temple was concreted aptly with the assistance of various people. Some of the names were: Lal Bahadur Lama, Khadhak Bahadur Sarki, Dal Bahadur Chhetri, Dhan Bahadur Rai, Kamal Kumar Limbu, Ambika Prasad Jaishi, and Kamalapati Jaishi. Apart from these exalted people, there were various eminent people who contributed their valuable time and hardwork to accomplished the drudgery. Subsequently, in the year 1975, the hall area was annexed by the help of different Gorkha localities through funds and donations within Mizoram.nIn the course of time, the constructions and renovations of the building is reinforcing as well as accumulating due to the tremendous aid and assistance from various distinguished people as well as different organizations.nTranslated from,n“Establishment and Development of Shriman Tilla Shiv Mandir”. Shiva Mandir Souvenir.Bawngkawn, Aizawl. Guwahati: Saraighat, 1994.10. Print.

One of the oldest temple in Mizoram