Kashmiri pandits hope to visit closed shrine in PoK

Hopes have rekindled for Kashmiri pandits to resume the pilgrimage to ancient Shardha temple in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) after 63 years of partition.

Thanks to the Indo-Pak foreign ministers decision to expand cross-LoC travel on both sides of the LoC including visits for tourism and religious pilgrimage, Kashmir pandits are now expecting the reopening of the shrine which has been closed after partition in Muzaffarabad.

“It is a significant step which would go a long way in restoring confidence among the people particularly Kashmiri Hindus who have been fighting for permission to visit PoK for pilgrimage,” said Vinod Pandit, president All Parties Kashmiri Migrants Coordination Committee.

In a joint statement, the Indo-Pak foreign ministers agreed to expand Cross-LoC travel on both sides of the LoC to include visits for tourism and religious pilgrimage. In this regard, the modalities will be worked out by both sides.

“Now both the governments have taken a step, it needs to be followed up with added zeal. The Shardha temple housing the Goddess Sharada lies in ruins because it has been shut since 1947. Now the governments should renovate this shrine for pilgrimage. This shrine is revered not only by pandits but Hindus all over,” said Pandit.