Kaikut Temple in Kath-Kuni Style — A Unique Architectural Treasure of Dachhan, Jammu and Kashmir

Author(s)	Dr. Anoop Singh
Country	India
Abstract	This paper examines the historical, geographical, architectural, and ritual significance of Kaikut Mandir, a rare temple built in traditional Kath-Kuni style, located in the Dachhan Valley of Jammu and Kashmir. Built approximately 400 years ago during the reign of Raja Mahan Singh of Kishtwar, Kaikut Mandir reflects the vernacular wisdom and spiritual artistry of the Greater Himalayas. Despite its rich cultural heritage and sacred legacy, including its connection to myths such as the legend of the flying saints, this temple has remained neglected and overlooked by formal historical and archaeological research. Drawing upon historical accounts (Kak, 1924), oral traditions, field observations, and comparative iconographic analysis, this research traces the temple’s origins, examines its distinctive wooden-and-stone architecture, investigates nearby monolithic relics, and emphasizes the temple’s enduring role in ritual life. The research also discusses nearby sacred monoliths that highlight a deeper ritual past, insistent preservation, and further archaeological exploration.
Keywords	Kath-Kuni architecture, Hudh Mata Shakti Peetha, flying saints, wooden temple, Himalayan heritage.
Field	Sociology > Archaeology / History
Published In	Volume 7, Issue 3, May-June 2025
Published On	2025-06-26

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