Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, Dec 2: The UT Government has sanctioned over Rs 17 crore for the renovation and upgradation of 17 temples and shrines in twin districts of Anantnag and Pulwama of South Kashmir which had suffered a heavy damage during turmoil.
The administrative approval for the upgradation and renovation of these temples and shrines has been recently granted by Directorate of Archives, Archaeology and Museums J&K Government on the recommendations of concerned Deputy Commissioners.
As per Administrative approval of the Department, Rs one crore six lakh and ninety eight thousand have been sanctioned for upgradation and renovation of ancient and historical Mamaleshwar temple at Pahalgam in Anantnag district while Rs one core, fifty nine lakh and seventy five thousand have been approved for renovation of ancient Shiva Bhagwati temple Akingam in Anantnag district.
Rs 77.67 lakh have been approved for the renovation of Gauri Shankar temple at Pahalgam and Rs 92.95 lakh have been approved for up-gradation of Papran Naag shrine at Salia Anantnag while Rs 46.69 lakh have been approved for Mata Raagnya Bhagwati shrine at Khiram in Anantnag district.
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Among the other shrines Rs three crore, twenty four lakh and fifty seven thousand have been approved for construction of Kheerbhawani temple at Logripora Ashmuqam in Anantnag district while Rs 69.75 lakh were approved for development of Karkut Nag shrine at Salia in Anantnag district.
For the overall development of ancient Hindu shrine of Lokbhawan Larkipora also in Anantnag district which has suffered total damage after it was razed to ground during turmoil, Rs three crore, twenty one lakh and fifty two thousand have been approved by the Department while for revival, restoration, preservation and maintenance of Neolithic site at Gufkral Tral in Pulwama district Rs four crore nine lakh and thirty eight thousand have been approved.
For the repairment / renovation of holy temple Shree Shideshwar at Drangbal Pampore, Rs 28.34 lakh have been approved. This temple is associated with annual Amarnath Ji yatra as the holy mace of Lord Shiva on way to Amarnath shrine used to pay obeisance at this temple and have a night halt there. Besides, Rs 38.82 lakh have been approved for holy Shiv temple at Drangbal Pampore in Pulwama district.
The Department has approved Rs 12.70 lakh for construction of temple at Middora in tehsil Awantipora of district Pulwama which had also suffered damage during turmoil while Rs 17.18 lakh were approved for renovation of temple at Trichal in district Pulwama. Besides, Rs 19.60 lakh have been approved for renovation and repair of holy temples at Tahab in Pulwama district.
The renovation of these shrines and temples was a long pending demand of Kashmiri Pandits. These shrines have suffered a heavy damage during the turmoil as they were not being looked after due to the mass exodus of minorities from Kashmir in 1989 and 1990.
However, the UT Government during last some years has taken up the renovation work of various temples and shrines in hand.
Meanwhile, Ganesh Shiv Shakti Asthapan Committee, Akura Anantnag has shown its concern of not including the shrine in the Administrative approval by the Archives and Archeaeology Department. Asthapan Committee president, I K Raina said that the Committee had put its case before the authorities long back. He said the District Development Commissioner Anantnag had also recommended the renovation of the temple and Dharmshalla but to the utter surprise of the Committee, the shrine was left while granting administrative approval by the Department. President Swami Mirzakak Trust Hangalgund in Anantnag district B L Hangloo has also demanded that the funds be sanctioned for the development of ancient Swami Mirzakak shrine , temple in the village. He said the Trust has already taken up the issue with the Government.
The renovation and upgradation of other shrines in Anantnag district including Kheer Bhawani shrine of Ranipora, Chandika Devi shrine and temple in Sagam Anantnag and shrine of Prakash Ram and Chandika Devi in Kurigam Kulgam district has also been demanded by the Kashmiri Pandits of these villages.
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