When would Hindus get ‘Darshan’ of Sree Sharada Devi in Kashmir?

The ancient temple of Sree Sharada Devi is in Pak occupied Kashmir (PoK). No information is avilable about this temple and the Hindu youth is not aware of it. The temple is so ancient that Kashmir was earlier known as ‘Sharada Peeth’. PoK is an integral part of India and we have to get it back from Pakistan. Hindus will undertsand the significance of getting back PoK once they know the history about Sree Sharada Devi temple. The temple is at a height of 11000 fom the sea level and is about 70 miles from Shreenagar. The length of thetemple is 142 feet and width is 94.6 feet. The outer walls of the temple are 6 ft. wide and 11 ft long. And there are arches with 8 ft. height. It is a very good example of architecture. Historical proof of old Sharada Devi temple.

In a poetic work composed by Mahakavi Kalhan in the year 1148, there is a mention of Sree Sharadad Devi temple and its geographic location. Matang Sage Shandilya used to meditate in Sharada-van. Near the temple of Sree Sharada Devi, there is ‘Amarkund’ lake. It is believed that Sage Shandilya got the ‘darshan’ of Sree Sharada Devi there. In the first verse of ‘Prapanchsar’ composed by Adya Shankaracharya is devoted to the praise of Sree Sharada Devi.

In the year 1030, the famous Muslim historian Al-Baruni visited Kashmir. According to him, there was a wooden idol of Sree Sharada Devi in Sree Sharada Devi temple. He had compared the temple of Sree Sharada Devi with the Sun temple of Multan (that time in India, presently in Pakistan), Vishnu Chakraswamin temple at Thaneshwar and Somnath temple.

During 16th century, Delhi was ruled by King Akbar. Abul Fazal, one of the famous ‘Nava-Ratnas’ in his Court, has written about Sree Sharada Devi temple that �Sree Sharada Devi temple is near the banks of river Madhumati which is full of gold particles. One can experience miracles on every eighth day of the bright fortnight of the month.�

Sree Sharada Devi temple caught in the grip of Islamic assaults

In the 14th century, the temple was attacked for the first time. After this attack, India started losing its contact with Krushnaganga and Sharada Peeth. In the 19th century, Dogra king of Kashmir restored this temple.

Prior to Islamic invasion, there was the world famous Sun temple in Multan. Its existence went back to more than thousand of years. After partition, Multan became a part of Pakistan. Today there is no sign of the temple. After a few years, even Sree Sharada Devi temple will have the same fate. Near Sree Sharada Devi temple, there used to be famous Sanskrit university. It is believed that in the barbaric Islamic attacks, the university was destroyed.

The (historic undivided) Kashmir has glorious Hindu traditions

Many ancient holy books of Hindus were written in Kashmir. From the time of Sage Shandilya, Kashmir was renowned for Sanskrit language, literature, astronomy, astrology and jurisprudence so also as a well-known centre of arts and architecture. In the 8th century, King Lalitaditya ruled over Kashmir. During his time, Kashmir was known as the centre for studies of Hindu religion. There is a mention in the ‘Sankhyayan’ written by Vinayak Bhatt that in those days, Hindu students use to go to Kashmir for higher studies. In the writings of famous Chinese traveler Yuan Shuang in 7th century, it is mentioned that many saints and scholars lived in Kashmir.

Kashmir and Sharad Peeth are inseparable

Kashmir was known as Sharada Peeth due to the temple of Sree Sharada Devi. Even today, the Kashmiri script is known as ‘Sharada’ script. Adya Shankarachrya founded Sharada Peeth at Sharada gram in Kashmir. Sharada Peeth was as famous as the four Peethas at Shrungeri, Dwaraka, Jagannathpuri and Badrikashram founded by Shankaracharya. Such enriched and holy Sharada Peeth is in the Pak occupied Kashmir due to which India has lost contact with it. But Sharada Peeth and India are inseparable. Without Sharada Peeth, Indian ‘Shangrila’ is incomplete. Therefore, it is the duty of Hindus to bring the Sharada Peeth back to India.

When will Indians get to visit Sree Sharada Devi temple?

Muslim tourists from Pakistan visit Ajmer Sheirf Dargah. The ‘Delhi Transport Undertaking’ has diverted its Delhi- Lahore bus service via Ajmer to facilitate Muslim tourists. Therefore, Pakistani Muslim tourists can now easily offer a ‘chadar’ at the Ajmer dargah. Hindus too wish to visit Sree Sharada Devi temple in Pak occupied Kashmir. Indian Government should discuss the matter with Pakistan. Recently, ‘Panun Kashmir’ members have demanded that a bus service should be started between India and Pakistan from Sharada Devi temple like Ajmer bus service. Will Indian Government and its intellectual foreign policy advisers take any action for developing contact between Indian and Pakistani citizens? Will the Govt. that is so sympathetic to demands of Pakistanis to visit Ajmer, show the same concern for Hindus interest of visiting Sree Sharada Devi? Hindus, when will you get the ‘darshan’ of Sree Sharada Devi?

Source: ‘Daily Sanatan Prabhat’