The condition of the centuries-old Shiva temple at Baijnath, one of Himachal Pradesh’s most revered and historically significant shrines, is steadily deteriorating as due to a prolonged deadlock between the temple trust and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), even basic repair and maintenance works have not been undertaken. Ironically, the Shiva Temple Trust is understood to have crores of rupees at its disposal but is unable to undertake essential repairs, and as a result several parts of the temple complex are in a poor and deteriorating condition. The temple, believed to be around 800 years old, is a protected heritage monument under the ASI. While the protection is intended to safeguard its architectural and historical character, local stakeholders say that the restrictions have become a major hurdle in carrying out even routine maintenance.