The golden temple, Kangra

Photograph of the Bajinath Temple in Kangra from the Brandreth Collection: 'Views in Simla, Cashmere and the Punjaub' taken by an unknown photographer in 1865. Caption, "The golden temple, Kangra. The roof of this temple is of copper gilt. It is one of the most celebrated Hindoo places of pilgrimage in Upper India." The Devi Vajresri Temple is one of the oldest and wealthiest shrines in the country. Renowned for its riches it was plundered in 1009 by the Mahmud of Ghazni. An earthquake in 1905 damaged the temple and it was then rebuilt in 1920. This photograph shows us what the temple looked like before the rebuilding.