Mamaleshwar Temple, Pahalgam, Kashmir, India Royalty-Free Stock Image

A 12th century Hindu temple located on the banks of the Kolahoi stream, source of the Lidder River, at a height of 8800 ft above sea level. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple is on eight square feet in area and dates back to 400 AD. Legend has it that Lord Ganesha was asked to stand guard and not allow anyone to enter the temple without permission.The sacred complex also has a shrine that is entire festooned with gold, and was put-up during the rule of a former king. The sanctuary encases a plinth and a Shiva Lingam. Surprising, a spring of remarkab pure water rises from under the temple site and is enclosed in a basin in front of the stairs.Set amidst lush green surroundings, against the backdrop of snow covered mountains, the Temple is just 1 km from the town of Pahalgam.Picture shot on April 04, 2015, around 0930 hrs, with a Canon DSLR EOS 550D, focal length 18 mm, aperture f /16, shutter speed 1/1000 sec.