The village of Kothier is situated two miles above Achabal, a little off the Achabal-Kishtwar road. The name is inferred from Kapatesvara which is a constriction of Papasudana-Kapatesvara, a moniker of Shiva to whom the spring here is sacrosanct.
In past, for many centuries this place enjoyed great credit for holiness. King Bhoja of Malwa, who was the current king of Ananta (1028AD-1063AD) of Kashmir, had having tank called Kund which was fabricated at Kaptesvara with piles of gold that were sent to King Bhoja and pledged that he would always wash his face in the water from the Papasudana Tirtha and this made the accomplishment of his challenging pledge by consistently delivering water from this tirtha in large number of glass jars. The tank is circular. The stone basin constructed by Bhoja is still partially extended. The staircase was surrounded by side walls which were surmounted by the architrave, common in Kashmiri temples facing north and south respectively, brought about to water level.
Besides the spring, there are about two small temples which seem to be coeval with the stone wall of the spring. The large temple measures 8’4″internally and faces southwest. Its roof seems to have been demolished by fire. The entrance is 3′ 8″ by 6′. Its attention deserving are its receding walls of the outer three sides, which most other temples are of about the same dimension as the open doorway, are in this instance much smaller.
The smaller temple measures 6′ 4″ internally. It faces west. Its minor portion is buried underground. There is a long stretch of wall which is 246 metres long and about 12 metres wide, on the north side of the area, which originally formed part of the enclosure wall around the temples and the tank. The fragment is above ground. On the east side, it shows that its surrounding wall is a cellular peristyle in reality. The top stones of the cells are visible.
A curious local legend reported that a treasure is buried somewhere in or near the spring, and there was a stone slab embedded in the wall of the spring on which were inscribed directions for its discovery and expenditures on the repairs and upkeep of the spring and its dependent shrines. The same legend associates the name of the king “Mustkund” with the foundation of the temples. In support of this, the people quote the dictum:
Mustkund Razas Monshi Hinde Kan
Tim Kati Cxlnass! Kothier Van
Translation: King Mustkund has buffaloe’s ears. Where will they be removed! In the woods of Kothier.
It is said that King has been favoured a pair of buffalo’s ears, of which he was anxious to rid himself, but he couldn’t achieve his purpose by any means at his disposal. Later, being advised to try a bath in the waters of this spring, his heart’s desire was fulfilled. In this gratitude, he expanded his treasures upon the foundation and upkeep of the temples.
The writer is a Class 9 student at Sabir Abdullah Public High School Wanihama, Anantnag. She has thanked Aijaz Sir and Azhar Sir for their guidance. Feedback at [email protected]

Navreena Mushtaq