Pressure on Centre to start Sharda temple yatra

Amid Indo-Pak tensions, pressure is mounting on the state and central governments to facilitate the Yatra to ancient Sharda temple in the Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Several organisations under the aegis All Parties Migrants Coordination Committee on Tuesday made a joint appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti to take up the matter with Pakistan and facilitate travel of Hindu pilgrims to Sharda Temple and allow state Hindus to undertake a pilgrimage by cross LoC `Karwan-e-Aman' bus.

"This shrine belongs to all Hindus. Before 1947 Hindus from all over the world used to visit this temple. Even Buddhist monks used to visit the shrine. People are going to PoK to meet their relatives in cross LoC bus on valid permit system. Why Hindus can't be allowed to visit the temple on valid permit?" asked Vinod Pandit, All Parties Migrants Coordination Committee (APMCC).

Situated 207km north of Muzaffarabad (capital of PoK) at Athmuqam in Neelam Valley, the Sharada temple is located near the confluence of Kishan Ganga River and Mudhumati stream. Exact date of establishing the temple is not known, however, present style and form of the shrine was established by King Lalitaditya in 724 AD.

Before independence, the annual yatra to Sharda temple was conducted from ancient times. During the Dogra rule in 1846 it became a regular feature. Historical facts reveal that Buddhist University was established near the shrine during the period of Emperor Ashoka in 273 BC known as Sharada Peeth.

The last pilgrimage was undertaken by Swami Nand Lal Ji of Tikker Kupwara fame in 1947. In fact, at the time of partition Swami Nand Lal Ji carried idols from Sharda to Tikker-Kupwara on the horse backs. Few of these stone idols are lying at Devibal in Baramulla besides Tikker in Kupwara.

"Prime Minister Modi is already aware of the issue as a delegation led by Vinod Pandit had a detailed discussion with him on February 18, 2013 at his residence in Gandhi Nagar, Gujarat where he had assured to take-up the matter with the Pakistan Government after elections", said King C Bharati National Spokesperson, APMCC.

Prominent Kashmir Pandit and Jammu Dogra leaders have extended their unconditional support to APMCC and asked the central and state governments to take up the matter with Pakistan and facilitate travel for J&K Hindus through Aman Sethu and rest of Hindus through Wagah Border.

"They also warned the elements from desisting in dividing Hindu community for their political reasons.Such elements have always harmed the cause of Hindus", said Bharati.