Kashmir’s ancient Shri Sharada temple inaugurated after restoration

Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) – Amit Shah, Union Home Minister, inaugurated ancient Shri Sharada temple (Sharada Peeth) that was restored recently, in an online event on 22^nd March. The temple is located in Teetwal of the Karnah sector near LoC, in the State of Jammu and Kashmir. It is 30 km away from Kupwara. For several decades, the temple was in ruins.

Amit Shah said during the event, ‘Similar to the Kartarpur corridor, our Government is working on building a road to Shri Sharada temple. Since the abrogation of article 370, Kashmir’s ancient culture and traditions are being restored. Sharada Peeth is a historical centre of India’s cultural, religious and academic heritage. Once upon a time, the Sharada Peeth was the centre of knowledge in this subcontinent. Scholars across the country used to visit here to gain spiritual knowledge. The Idol of goddess has been installed here before the ‘Chaitra Navaratri’. This is not just the restoration of a temple but the beginning of research about the Sharada civilization. This is one of the Shakti Peethas. Mother Sati’s left hand had fallen here. The Amrut found during the Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean) was also brought here. Two drops of the Amrut fell here and they stayed in the form of an Idol. Adi Shankaracharya also visited this place and praised goddess Shri Saraswati’.

‘New era’: Amit Shah inaugurates temple near LoC in J&K

While inaugurating the Sharda Devi temple in Kupwara via video link, Union home minister Amit Shah proposed a Kartarpur Sahib-style corridor to the Sharda Peeth temple in PoK.https://t.co/Mkxa0qzjlM

— The Times Of India (@timesofindia) March 23, 2023

The restoration of this temple began in December 2021. ‘Save Sharada Committee’ formed a committee for temple construction. The committee includes 5 locals of which 3 are Muslims, 1 Kashmiri Hindu and 1 Sikh. A gurdwara and a mosque are also being constructed along with the temple.

The history of Sharada Peeth (temple) !

Sharada Peeth is an ancient temple of goddess Shri Saraswati. It is more than 2,400 years old. It is the first place of pilgrimage of the Shakt sect, which worships Shakti. Worship of the goddess began from this temple. After this, Shri Vaishno Devi and the Kheer Bhawani temples were built.

Ashok, the emperor of Magadh, built this temple in 237 BC. It was attacked several times. The temple was restored for the last time by the founder of Dogra empire and the king of Jammu and Kashmir Gulab Singh Jamwal in the 19th century. Since last 7 decades, the temple was in ruins.

The locals claim that this Peeth has combination of 3 different Shaktis (powers) of goddess Sharada. The first is Sharada (goddess of education), second is Saraswati (goddess of knowledge) and the third is Vagdevi (goddess of speech).