Eid Mubarak to all those who are celebrating Eid today.
We are celebrating tomorrow.
We are behind schedule in both matters worldly and other worldly.
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It's always heartening to read what other co-citizens of mine have to say & write about Sharda. This particular FaceBook post by Hassam Shabir is one such example:
[By Hassam Shabir]
Sharda Peeth: An historical and cultural hub in Pakistani-administered Jammu & Kashmir
Sharda Peeth is a temple and ancient centre of learning located in the village of Sharda in Pakistan-administered Jammu & Kashmir. Nestled in the heart of Neelum Valley, Sharda Peeth is a place of incredible natural beauty. Surrounded by peaks that loom in the distance and stretch up to the sky and the forests that carpet the hillsides, there is a sense of majesty and tranquility that pervades the area. As you explore the place around Sharda Peeth, you’ll discover hidden waterfalls, verdant meadows and charming villages that are sure to capture your heart.
Sharda Peeth has a rich history that dates back to several centuries and has been an important centre of learning & pilgrimage for Hindus since ancient times. According to historical records, the temple was built by Kashmiri King Lalitaditya in 8th century CE, approximately 1300 years back from now. Due to its long and complex history, it is difficult to determine the exact reason and date of its founding with complete accuracy. While there are many historical records that tell us about the temple’s origin and development. According to Hindu mythology, it is believed that the temple was founded by Hindu God Shiva in the honour of his wife Goddess Sharda, also known as Saraswati, which is the Hindu Goddess of knowledge, learning, music, art and wisdom. The site was a significant destination for pilgrims from all over the region, who came to pay their respect to the goddess and participate in various religious ceremonies and rituals.
Despite being a site of great spiritual significance for Hindus, Sharda Peeth was renowned throughout the Indian Subcontinent as one of the oldest and most prestigious centres of learning, offering advanced education in a wide range of fields, from medicine and philosophy to astronomy and beyond. It was a beacon of knowledge that drew in the most brilliant minds of its time including Adi Shankaracharya, who was a known philosopher of that time. Apart from Adi Shankaracharya, Sharda Peeth was also attended by many other prominent scholars, including Vairochana, Abhinavagupta and Bhaskaracharya, who was a known mathematician and astronomer. In short, Sharda Peeth was a prominent hub for cultural, intellectual and historical activities for the people of the region in the past.
Sharda Peeth has numerous myths and legends linked to it. According to one, the king was visited by the Hindu goddess Saraswati in a dream, who instructed him to build a temple in her honour. The king followed her instructions and built a temple and university on the site. According to another legend, the temple was built on the site where the head of the demon Jalandhar fell after he was defeated by Hindu God Shiva. This legend suggests that the temple was built as a commemoration of Shiva’s victory over the demon. These stories create a sense of wonder and amazement around the temple, which in turn makes it a site of great interest and significance for people from all over the world. It seems like the mysteries surrounding the origin and evolution of Sharda Peeth will always remain unsolved.
Sharda Peeth has a complex and multifaceted history, which has been shaped by a wide range of cultural, religious and political factors over the centuries. The site has borne witness to many conflicts - both political and religious - that have threatened to undermine its rich cultural and historical significance. One of the earliest was the invasion of the region by Muslim rulers in the 14th century, which resulted in significant damage to the temple and sorrounding structures. In the centuries that followed, Sharda Peeth was caught up in Sikh-Mughal wars of 18th and 19th centuries, which resulted in further damage to the site.
Following the partition of India and Pakistan in 1947, the issue of Kashmir has remained unresolved, with both countries claiming sovereignty over the region. Being situated in close proximity to the Line of Control (LOC), which serves as an unofficial border between India and Pakistan in the region, the site has been largely ignored and neglected, with minimal efforts put towards its maintenance and preservation. Because of ongoing tensions along the Line of Control, Sharda Peeth has unfortunately remained inaccessible to the public for an extended period.
Despite the complicated and difficult political circumstances in the region, the site remains a treasured and significant part of the area’s cultural heritage and identity.
Given the current situation in the region, particularly the ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan since February 2021; it is imperative that the site be opened to the people from the other side of the State of Jammu and Kashmir. This would help to promote greater understanding and co-operation between the people of the region and encourage greater cultural exchange and appreciation. By bringing people together in this way, it could promote a more harmonious and prosperous future for all. There have been ongoing discussions about ways to make it more accessible to visitors from both sides of the State of Jammu and Kashmir.
Recently In March 2023, Amit Shah, the Indian Home Minister, inaugurated a new temple in the border area of Teetwal in Kupwara District in Indian-administered Kashmir. During the ceremony, he expressed his government’s commitment to working towards opening up the Sharda Peeth site on the pattern of Kartarpur corridor. This announcement was met with both appreciation and criticism from members of the public on both sides of the region.
The regional government of Pakistani-administered Kashmir should play a more active role in the restoration and maintenance of the site and to work towards opening it up to visitors from across the globe. Civil society and regional government should take a stance in promoting awareness and understanding of the site’s significance and providing necessary resources to support these efforts. Despite the obstacles that must be overcome, there is a growing sense of hope and determination among those who believe in the cultural and historical significance of the site.
With the right resources and support, progress can be made towards a more inclusive & peaceful future.
..end of Hassam Shabir's article (which has been slightly edited from its FaceBook version for clarity)
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