Peace returned to Kashmir after scrapping of Art 370: Amit Shah inaugurating historical temple

Shah inaugurated Maa Sharda Devi Temple along the Line of Control at the Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir through video conferencing on Wednesday.

The temple, located in Teetwal on the banks of the Kishanganga river, has been built to revive the centuries-old pilgrimage to Shardapeeth temple in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Shah said with the opening of the temple, the Kashmir Valley and Jammu are once again returning to their old traditions and civilization.

“Due to the efforts of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi peace has been established in Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370. The Kashmir Valley and Jammu are once again returning to their old traditions, civilization and Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb,” he said.

Shah said that as per its commitment to social and economic transformation, the Government led by Prime Minister has taken initiatives in all sectors of Jammu and Kashmir, including cultural rejuvenation.

He said the systematic restoration and repair work is going on at 123 identified places under this, which include many temples and Sufi places.

Shah said in the first phase, 35 places were being renovated at a cost of Rs 65 crore.

Shah said that 20 cultural festivals have also been organized in every district which will help in reviving our old heritage.

Several dignitaries including Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha were present on the occasion.

Shah said that today the inauguration of Maa Sharda's temple is the beginning of a new era.

The Union Home Minister said that the architecture and construction of this temple has been done according to mythological scriptures under the aegis of Sharda Peeth.

“The idol of Sharda Maa, donated by the Sringeri Math, and its installation here, the time period from January 24 till today was like a journey. The reconstruction of Maa Sharda's temple in Kupwara is a necessary and important step in the direction of discovery of Sharda-civilization and promotion of Sharda-script,” he said.

Shah said that once upon a time Sharda Peeth was considered the centre of knowledge in the Indian subcontinent, scholars from all over the country used to come here in search of scriptures and spiritual knowledge.

He said that the Sharda script is the original script of Kashmir, which has been named after the name Maa Sharda. This is one of the Mahashakti Peeths and according to religious beliefs, the right hand of Maa Sati fell here.

The Union Home Minister said Sharda Peeth has been a historical centre of India's cultural, religious and educational heritage, like the Kartarpur Corridor.

He said the Government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will move forward to open Sharda Peeth for devotees.

“It is a historic day today that the inauguration of a temple and Gurudawara took place after 75 years in Teetwal,” he said.