Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 15: Pandit Prem Nath Bhat Memorial Trust (PNBMT) has identified 1403 shrines and other religious places spread over the length and breadth of the Valley. This was disclosed at an extraordinary meeting of the Pandit Prem Nath Bhat Memorial Trust, held here today. Giving details PPNBMT spokes person Dr R L Bhat said that the shrines and sacred places were spread over 647 localities in the Valley, including villages, mohallas and other sacerdotal spots.
The extraordinary meeting of the Pandit Prem Nath Bhat Memorial Trust has decided to release the list of Hindu Temples of Kashmir on April 19 at KP Sabha, Ambphalla.
Attended among others by Dr B. L. Hando, Dr A. N. Pandita, Dr R. L. Bhat, B L Saraf, M. K Jalali, P. K. Khodbali, B. L. Bhat Katal, H. L. Bhat, M. K. Raina, B. L. Bhat, R. L. Pandita, Shiban Khaibri, Virinder Raina, M. M. Thaplo, K. L. Bhat, S. L. Koul, M L Ganjoo, M. K. Wanto, Rohit Bhat the meeting also decided to present a the model Shrine Bill on the occasion.
It was drafted by a committee of eminent jurists and social activists headed by Justice (retd.) Brij Lal Bhat with members Kashi Nath Bhat Ex. Additional Advocate General, Bushal Lal Saraf, District and Session Judge (Retd.), Bansi Lal Pandita, Chief Prosecuting Officer (retd.), Kashmiri Lal Bhat Senior advocate, H. L. Bhat social activist, Surendar Ambardar social activist and Dr. R. L. Bhat (convener of the committee) to put the community struggle for Temple and Shrine Bill on a firm footing.
The data on the temples and shrines has been gathered through a comprehensive survey by Dr. R. L. Bhat, the spokesperson of Trust, with inputs from and countless other people. Hindu Shrines of Kashmir is a historical document of the temple heritage of Kashmir Valley. It contains District, Tehsil and Village-wise lists of over 1400 Temples, Shrines, Sacred Springs, Dharmashallas and other Hindu Holy places, religious properties and lands. As per the survey data, there was definite information about over 347 temples shrines and religious places had been damaged, vandalized or otherwise occupied in the Valley.
The list has been compiled by Dr. R. L. Bhat with inputs from countless people including, late V N Jyotishi, P. K. Khodbali, Dr. Ramesh. Kumar. Bhat, H. L. Bhat, Pushkar Nath Jyotishi, Ashok Kangan, A. N. Bhat, M. K. Raina, Chandji Kaw, Opinder Ambardar, Dr. Roshan Saraf and Tej Sagar. It also carries details about the present status of many shrines gathered from on-site visits during the last several years.
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