In a tragic turn of events, the ancient Kalp Kedar Shiva Temple has once again been buried under debris after a sudden flash flood hit the Kheer Ganga river on Tuesday.

This sacred site, which had previously remained underground for several years—likely due to an earlier natural disaster—had only its top portion visible until it was fully excavated and rediscovered in 1945.

The temple, believed to be built in the traditional Kature architectural style, bears a strong resemblance to the holy Kedarnath Dham. During the 1945 excavation, several feet of earth were removed to uncover the temple’s full structure, revealing an underground sanctum that devotees would descend into to offer their prayers.

One of the temple’s unique features was its connection to the Kheer Ganga river: a channel had been crafted so that water could gently flow onto the Shivling in the sanctum sanctorum. This Shivling, shaped like the back of Nandi—similar to the one in Kedarnath—held deep spiritual significance for worshippers. Intricate stone carvings also adorned the temple’s exterior.

Sadly, the temple has now been consumed once more by the forces of nature.