Shyam Kaka Temple, located close to Narsinghgarh, almost 100 km from Bhopal, was built in 1845 A.D. Situated in Shaka Jagir village in Rajgarh district in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, the temple exhibits the majestic grandeur of the ancient period. The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Krishna, also revered as Shyam by his devotees. Although it is a Hindu temple, it has a panel that portrays six Muslim men clad in long robes. They are seen wearing traditional headgear and reading namaz. The temple is thus, regarded as one of those exceptional centres of pilgrimage that stands in perfect harmony.
History of Shyam Kaka Temple
According to the history of Shyam Kaka Temple, once Bhagali Devi, the wife of a local ruler Shyam Dev Khinchi had departed from her husband after quarrelling with him. During that period she took refuge from a local chieftain, Amara Singh Gurjar. Later Shyam dev was killed in a battle hence his wife ordered for the construction of the temple in memory of her husband. She appointed Amara Singh Gurjar as the head priest of the temple. Thus, from 1844-45 the Gurjars had been serving as the priests of the Shyam Kaka Temple.
Legend of Shyam Kaka Temple
The legendry tale of the temple states that once six tourists, native of Arab, paid a visit to the temple during its construction period. It is said that the tourists quarrelled with Amara Singh Gurjar, the then priest of the temple, on the point that their faith was much superior in comparison to the Hindus. They also stated that Mecca and Medina to be the holiest pilgrimage centre on earth. It is said that Amara Singh Gurjar offered to show them Mecca and Medina within the temple premises. What followed was a divine revelation of Mecca and Medina in the temple complex. The Arabs were said to offered prayers right there.
To commemorate the incident the panel of the temple houses images of the six Arab men. Presently Shyam Kaka Temple is being managed and maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India.
