KASHMIR, March 22, 2023 (Swarajyamag): The Sharada Devi temple near the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir was inaugurated today, after the panchaloha (five metals) vigraha of Mata Sharada reached Teetwal in Kashmir. The new temple was inaugurated in the virtual mode by Home Minister Amit Shah on the occasion of the first Navratra of the Chaitra maas. Supported by the Sringeri Mutt, the temple replicates traditional Kashmiri architectural styles, and will be accompanied by a ghat built on the banks of the Kishenganga river flowing nearby. The ghat, with proper steps, is being built with the intention of restoring pitra puja (homage to ancestors).

The temple was built due to the efforts of the Save Sharada Committee Kashmir. The committee was set up to revive the ancient Sharada temple, which used to be a major seat of learning in ancient India, but now lies in ruins in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The ancient temple was plundered and ravaged by invaders during the India-Pakistan war in 1947-48. Jagadguru Sri Mahasannidhanam blessed Save Sharada Committee member Pandita, and the Sringeri Mutt announced its full support to the noble initiative of temple construction at Teetwal. It then led to the commissioning of a new panchaloha vigraha of Sharada for installation at the temple. The panchaloha vigraha was received by the committee in January, after which the nearly 1,864-mile-long yatra to the newly built Sharada temple in Teetwal commenced. The temple was inaugurated today, but the Pran Pratishtha ceremony will be performed by Shringeri Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sri Sri Bharati Tirtha Mahasannidhanam sometime in May, according to Pandita.

https://swarajyamag.com/newsletters/evening-devi-sharada-returns-to-kashmir

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