History reveals that during Sultanate & Mughal Periods maximum number of temples and Shrines in Kashmir were destroyed.
Over some of the destroyed temple’s plinths mosques and Muslim shrines were constructed. Hindu’s were massacred and maximum number of Hindu people were converted to Islam. However in the Dogra dynasty rule, the rulers were keen to revive and reconstruct these temples & Shrines in the State.
Idol of Lord Shiva at Ummu Verinag was to be installed at Srinagar in the Summer Capital of J&K.
On its transportation by Maharaja Ranbir Singh. (He was the 3rd Son of Maharaja Gulab Singh, the founder of Dogra Rulers.) from Jammu to Srinagar, Maharaja Ranbir Singh and his entourage as per protocol of that era were staying for night halt at Ummu Verinag (Sarai structures are still available there).
Idol of Lord Shiva was placed, where it is installed today. But next day when Maharaja and his entourage were ready to leave for Srinagar, the concerned riggers of entourage were not able to shift the Idol from its present place. They tried their level best to shift it, but all in vain, with the result Maharaja prolonged his stay there by one more day and the concerned riggers continued to apply their efforts to shift the Lingum of Lord Shiva but no results.
However in the night, it is said that, Lord Shiva appeared in the dreams of Maharaja Ranbir Singh and directed him to construct a Shiv Temple at that place and install the Idol there. Accordingly next day orders were issued for construction of temple. This is the background history of this temple narrated to us by our elders in the whole area of Shabaad.
PS. Maharaja Ranbir Singh ruled Jammu and Kashmir from 20.02.1856 to 12.09.1885.AD
Story of Omoh Temple–
Pt R K Bhat | President – YAIKS,
Secretary General – Vetasta Devsathan Prabandhak Committee (Verinag)
All these three places NeelNag, Omoh Shiv Temple and Vitasta are being managed by Vetasta Devsathan Prabandhak Committee (Verinag)
