Mamaleshwar Temple, Pahalgam

Mamal Temple, or Mamaleshwar Temple, stands on the banks of the Lidder River in Pahalgam, Kashmir, at about 2,200 metres. It is thought to have been built around 400 AD and was rebuilt and brought back into worship in medieval times. The Rajatarangini mentions a temple called Mammesvara and records that King Jayasimha crowned it with a golden kalasa.

Legend makes this the place where Parvati set Ganesha to guard her door and let no one in without her leave, and where Shiva cut off Ganesha's head and gave him an elephant's head instead. The name is explained from 'mam mal', meaning 'don't go'. Inside are two images: a Shiva linga at the centre and a small two-faced Nandi in the right-hand corner.