JAMMU: For the last few years, one encouraging thing has been noticed in Kashmir: Return of exiled Kashmiri Pandits in larger numbers for visiting various temples. Be it the Martand sun temple in Anantnag, or Kheer Bhwani temple at Tikker in Kupwara, these footfalls, at times only a small trickle, are increasing.
After the beginning of this month, and start of summer vacations in the Jammu region, thousands of Kashmiri Pandit staying in and around Jammu are driving in large numbers to the temples. Martand temple had seen a very large of devotees during the last week of May. This happened as many Kashmiri Pandits attended the traditional fair in Mattan during the Baan Mass Mela (Banmas).
After the traditional fair, the numbers of visitors has been growing constantly as devotees throng to this place during Purshottam Maas (Adhik Maas), which is being observed this year from May 17 to June 15.
Many visiting valley after 36 years
On Wednesday, there were joyous scenes at the Martand temple as an elated group of overseas Kashmiri Pandits, many of whom have spent the last 36 years away from their homeland, returned to Kashmir under the ongoing Pragaash Heritage Tour.
The delegation comprised people settled in the US and elsewhere, besides those living in Mumbai, Delhi and other parts of India. These exiled Kashmiri Pandits visited the ancient temple complex and most turned emotional as they revisited the land of their ancestors.
For some members of the group, it was their first visit to the Kashmir valley in over three decades. The occasion was marked by nostalgia as they revisited places linked to their childhood memories and cultural heritage. Many of these members were in tears as they saw decaying Kashmiri Pandit homes in the vicinity which were abandoned decades ago.
The heritage tour, aimed at reconnecting members of the displaced Kashmiri Pandit community with their cultural, religious and historical roots, is being organised with the support and cooperation of several Hindu religious and cultural organisations.
Preserving heritage, connecting with roots
The participants will gather at the Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar in the coming days. Issues related to cultural preservation, community engagement and strengthening ties with the homeland will be discussed. Members of the Martand Trust, Mattan, extended a warm welcome to the visiting delegation and conveyed their best wishes for the success of the heritage tour. They described the visit as an important step towards fostering understanding, preserving heritage and strengthening the bonds that connect Kashmiris across generations and geographical boundaries.
It is likely that in the days ahead, a very large number of exiled Kashmiri Pandits will visit the Kashmir valley. On Jyestha Ashtami (June 22), the largest number of Kashmiri Pandits will gather at Kheer Bhawani temple in Tulmulla (Ganderbal district). The revival of pilgrimage to this sacred site some years ago started a trend which has been gathering momentum.
Sharda temple at teetwal: A new destination
On the other hand, the Sharda temple at Teetwal in Kupwara is emerging as a hub where people from all over India are making a beeline. President of All India Kashmiri Samaj Ravinder Pandita led the efforts to establish the Sharda temple at Teetwal. His repeated travels to many cities in south (Mysore, Bengaluru and others), to west (Mumbai, Ahmedabad etc) and the NCR region (Delhi, Faridabad etc) have helped build associations far and wide. For his efforts, he was conferred with Dharam Bandhu award by Avadhoota Datta Peetham in Mysore some days ago.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah had inaugurated the Sharda temple at Teetwal in March 2023. Located on the bank of Kishenganga river, aarti is conducted regularly by devotees on the ghat created for the purpose. This silent revolution of reclaiming the sacred places and cultural icons is gaining strength.
In 2024 itself, over 10,000 devotees had visited the Teetwal Sharda temple and since then thousands more have visited it. Efforts are being made by the Save Sharda Committee to widen a seven kilometre stretch of the road leading to this grand temple. There are also efforts to get a yatri niwas constructed near the temple so that devotees can stay overnight.
