Shri Shankar Puri Temple's Historic saga
In the heart of Village Laroya stands the Shivpuri Temple, a sanctuary where history and divine justice converge. Legend tells of a moonless night long ago when three ambitious thieves conspired to plunder the temple’s sacred treasures. Drawn by the glimmer of gold ornaments adorning the deities, they breached the sanctum, ignoring the heavy air of spiritual warning that filled the room.
As they reached for the gold, a divine force intervened. The moment their hands touched the temple’s wealth, a blinding light erupted from the Shivling, instantly plunging the men into total darkness. Terrified and disoriented, the thieves found themselves trapped in a supernatural maze; though the doors were wide open, they could not find their way out. They wandered the courtyard in circles, weeping and sightless, until the first light of dawn.
When the villagers arrived for morning prayers, they found the trio trembling in the dust. The thieves confessed their crime, admitting that the temple’s “divine security” had struck them blind. To preserve this lesson for eternity, the village elders decided to place statues of the three thieves atop the temple domes. Today, those figures stand as a silent, powerful reminder that what belongs to the Divine cannot be stolen by man.
Shri Shankar Puri Temple
The Shri Shankar Puri Temple is a focal point of spiritual life in Laroya and is dedicated to the Hindu deity Shiva (Shankar).
Atmosphere: It is known for its serene environment and traditional temple architecture, serving as a gathering place for the village community during major festivals like Mahashivratri.
Local Importance: Beyond its religious role, the temple is part of the village’s diverse heritage, co-existing with historical Sikh shrines and local dargahs, reflecting the syncretic culture of the Doaba region.
Pilgrimage: It is often frequented by locals and those from neighboring villages for daily prayers and special ceremonies, maintaining the lineage of “Puri” (likely referring to the Dashnami Sampradaya or a specific lineage of saints) associated with the temple.