Devotees from different parts of country attend function
Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, Oct 16: Acclaiming the holding of Navratri Puja at the Sharda Temple on the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir where it was held for the first time since 1947 on first Navratra yesterday, Union Home Minister, Amit Shah said it signifies the return of peace in Kashmir valley.
The Home Minister said the puja at the temple marks the rekindling of the nation’s spiritual and cultural flame under the leadership of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.
On Monday, Navratri Puja was held at the newly built Sharda temple located along the LoC in Teetwal in Kashmir. The temple was inaugurated by the Home Minister on March 23 this year on the same piece of land – and on the same pattern – where the temple existed in pre-partition days.
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“It is a matter of profound spiritual significance that for the first time since 1947, the Navratri pujas have been held in the historic Sharda Temple in Kashmir this year.
“Earlier in the year the Chaitra Navratri Puja was observed and now the mantras of the Shardiya Navratri Puja resound in the shrine. I was fortunate to reopen the temple on 23rd March 2023 after restoration,” Shah said on X.
“This not only signifies the return of peace in the Valley but also marks the rekindling of our nation’s spiritual and cultural flame under the leadership of PM @narendramodi Ji,” he added.
A large number of pilgrims from all over the country attended the puja and took part in the celebrations. Swami Govindananda Saraswati of Hampi, Karnataka reached the holy temple at Teetwal along with his followers on rath yatra from Kishkinda , birth place of Lord Hanumana in Karnataka.
Adding ambience to the function some Kashmiri Pandit pilgrims were also present on the occasion including A K Raina, a renowned theatre personality’.
“It was yet again historical moment to perform Navratri Puja at Sharda temple on LoC first time after partition. The temple and Gurudwara that used to exist at Teetwal were burnt down in tribal raids in 1947 and a new temple and Gurudwara have come up on the same piece of land on March 23 this year”, said Ravinder Pandita, head /founder of Save Sharda Committee Kashmir.
Swami Govindananda Saraswati termed the performing of Puja a significant development in the holy Sharda temple at Teetwal yesterday. He said the Mata Sharda is all present in the temple to bless the mankind and appealed the devotees to visit this religious place.
He expressed the hope that with the blessings of Goddess the pristine glory of Kashmir will return and the days of yore will again come.
The local people of Karnah and Teetwal in Kupwara district besides the district administration also rendered all cooperation to the Save Sharda Committee in construction of temple and Gurudwar at its original place. They welcomed the devotees with open arms to revive the age old culture of Kashmir.
It may be recalled that after the inauguration of temple by Union Home Minister, Amit Shah on March 23 this year Shankaracharya of Sringeri Sri Sri Vidusjhekara Bharathi performed Abhhishek Puja and Pran Pratishtha of Sharda Murti (idol) at Sharda Temple LoC Teetwal later on June 5. This was also a historic occasion as after many decades a Shankaracharya had visited this place and performed Abishek and Puja.
On September 23 this year Sharda Day was celebrated at Teetwal by Save Sharda Committee. On the occasion a holy dip was taken in the Kishen Ganga river flowing via Teetwal which was followed by taking out a Chhari Mubarak Yatra from Sharda temple Teetwal to Whiteline bridge towards PoJK.
Since the construction of holy temple and throwing it open for pilgrims early this year, the Teetwal town was agog with religious festivities and pilgrims from different parts of country used to visit there to pay obeisance to Goddess which is the presiding deity of Kashmir. On September 8, Janamashtami celebrations were held in the temple and the function was organised by Save Sharda Committee. Both temple and Gurudwara were fully illuminated by the devotees on the occasion.
On October 3 this month foundation of Ghat was laid at the bank of river Kishenganga at LoC Teetwal by Ravinder Pandita, head of Save Sharda Committee. This historic and religious step attaches significance towards resumption of Sharda Peeth Yatra that was stopped in 1947.
It may be recalled that Swami Nandlal Ji was the last spiritual saint of Kashmir who had performed Puja at Sharda Peeth in PoJK prior to partition of the country and since then the temple has been abandoned for the pilgrims.
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