A mandir lost to time, a civilisation on the brink of erasure, and a community exiled from its sacred heritage, after 36 years, the Sharda Mata mandir in Kupwara has finally been restored, marking a historic victory against neglect, invasions, and decades of cultural obliteration.
In a powerful revival, the Prana Pratishtha ceremony was performed at the mandir , breathing life back into the hallowed sanctum where prayers had fallen silent for nearly four decades.
Historical accounts suggest that the mandir , which dates back to 237 BC, was originally built under Emperor Ashoka and later expanded by Maharaja Gulab Singh in the 19th century. Once a center of knowledge and devotion, it succumbed to the brutality of time, invasions, and apathy.
Beyond the borders, in Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir (PoJK), the original Sharda Peeth—one of the 18 Maha Shakti Peethas—lies in ruin. For decades, the call to reclaim it has been met with silence. However, the reopening of the Sharda Mata mandir in Kupwara is now seen as the first step in a larger movement to reclaim India’s lost religious sites.
In 2023, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, while inaugurating the mandir via video conferencing, declared, “This is not just the rebirth of a mandir, it is the rebirth of India’s lost spiritual and cultural pride. The mandir’s reopening is a testament to the resilience of Kashmiri Hindus and the eternal power of Maa Sharda.”
The Sharda Mata mandir , perched on the banks of the Kishanganga River (Neelam River) near the Line of Control (LoC), had fallen into ruin due to religious persecution, geopolitical neglect, and the forced exodus of Kashmiri Pandits. “This mandir stood abandoned for 36 years, while its devotees—who once thrived here—were cast out of their own homeland. No longer,” asserted Amit Shah.
Drawing a bold parallel with the Kartarpur Corridor, Amit Shah vowed, “Like Kartarpur, Maa Sharda’s abode will not remain out of reach. We will work towards opening Sharda Peeth for devotees.” For Kashmiri Hindus, this statement signals a long-overdue recognition of their spiritual heritage, which has been systematically erased since Partition.
Amit Shah linked the mandir ’s reconstruction to the post-Article 370 era, stating that the revival of Kashmiri traditions, mandir s, and culture is now unstoppable. “Kashmir is returning to its roots, its heritage, and its civilisation. No more abandonment. No more exile. Maa Sharda has returned, and with her, the spirit of Kashmir.”
J&K BJP Chief Ravinder Raina reinforced this sentiment, calling the mandir ’s reopening a “monumental moment in India’s spiritual and political history.” “This mandir was desecrated and abandoned after the Partition. Today, after 70-75 years, it stands tall once again. This is our heritage, our civilisation, and our history—and we will not let it fade again.”
The mandir ’s reconstruction, carried out with the support of the Sringeri Shankaracharya Mutt, has meticulously followed traditional Sharda Peeth architecture. The installation of Maa Sharda’s murti, gifted by the Mutt, was the final step in reviving this sacred pilgrimage site.
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