The ancient Radha-Krishna temple, situated within the Kamal Vilas Palace of Khairagarh, Chhattisgarh, once served as a sanctuary for the kingdom’s rulers seeking answers. After decades, the temple has reopened to the public. The historic Darbar Hall, located within the same complex, is also now accessible. These historical treasures, part of the legacy of the Khairagarh kingdom, were closed for many years. The reopening of the temple and hall follows efforts by Dr. Lovely Sharma, Vice-Chancellor of the Indira Kala Sangeet University. The palace was donated by the king of Khairagarh to establish the Indira Kala Sangeet University. Established in 1956, it is the first and only music and fine arts university in Asia. The temple houses the idols of Lord Krishna and Radha. The temple is renowned for its significance during the reign of the Khairagarh kingdom. The King would pray at this temple when facing difficult decisions. The Radha-Krishna idols within the temple are still as captivating as ever. The temple was closed to the public about 50 years ago after the theft of valuable jewelry. The Darbar Hall, which once witnessed royal gatherings, was also closed for 15 years. Dr. Sharma, upon assuming her role at the university, discovered the historical structures. She decided to reopen the temple and hall for the public, recognizing them as a shared heritage. Dr. Sharma expressed that visiting the temple and praying was an unparalleled experience. She was informed by the royal family that the idols are said to ‘talk’. The Kamal Vilas Palace, now the Indira Kala Sangeet University, is a historic landmark. The reopening allows not only devotees to visit the temple but also students and tourists to experience the royal heritage. Local expert Bhagwat Sharan Singh stated that Khairagarh has always had a glorious history. The decision by the university to reopen the temple is significant.
