Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Dec 29: Save Sharda Committee Kashmir has announced a Temple Committee for taking up construction work of ancient Sharda Yatra Temple and Sharda Center at LoC Teetwal, Karnah.
In a press statement here today the parent registered Trust formed a Committee for the construction of this historic heritage that used to be a Dharamshala and a small Gurudwara before partition. It would be from this base camp that the Sharda Yatra called ‘Charri Mubarak’ would proceed to Chilhana , now under occupation of Pakistan onwards to Sharda Peeth. The Committee comprises of Khawaja Iftikhar, Ajaz Khan, Capt. (retd) Ilyas, Joginder Singh, Ravinder Pandita, Surinder Mirza, Satish Koul, Satish Bhat and Mahaveer Thussoo.
The resolution to this effect was passed by the Save Sharda Committee Kashmir yesterday. The last yatra undertaken was by Kashmiri saint Swami Nand Lal Ji who came to this side of Kashmir from Sharda village in the year 1948. Construction on the boundary wall has already begun after the historical plot of land was reclaimed last month and handed over to the Save Sharda Yatra Committee.
Earlier on December, 2, this year Bhumi Pujan of the temple was organized in which Dr. Darakhshan Andrabi, Chairperson of Waqf Board under ministry of Minorities GoI was the chief guest.
“It is unique temple committee in the country that comprises of local Muslims, Sikhs and Kashmiri Hindus” said Ravinder Pandita
Save Sharda Committee, which is a pressure group for re-opening of Sharda pilgrimage sees the reopening of Sharda as a CBM between the two neighboring countries, that has not taken place since the partition. Ravinder Pandita, founder member of the Committee, stressed the need of setting up of Sharda University as well in J&K and facilitating J&K Hindus for annual pilgrimage on the lines of Sikhs undertaking Nankana Sahib & Kartarpur yatra, Pakistan every year was again highlighted. “The Committee has been in touch with Central Government and the file for security clearance is being pursued in MHA. All Shankracharya Mutts have also supported the Committee in this demand” said Ravinder Pandita.
The Committee has urged the Central Government to immediately take up the issue with Government of Pakistan, so that Kashmiris on both sides of LoC are allowed to undertake pilgrimages to boost heritage and religious tourism.
Follow our WhatsApp channel