Kashmir is waking up, and this time for good!

Sharada Peeth temple: Once upon a time, we had to plead for the privilege of hoisting our national tricolor in the picturesque landscapes of Kashmir. A place where our nation’s flag, a symbol of unity and pride, was held under the cloud of uncertainty. But today, the Kashmir of yesteryears is experiencing a gradual but powerful resurgence.

In the heart of this transformation, amidst the tranquil echoes of Vedic chants, we find ourselves in the newly constructed Sharda complex in Kupwara, near the Line of Control. Here, for the very first time since our independence, the Sharadiya Navratri, celebrated in the Ashwin month of the Sanatan calendar, came alive with unparalleled fervor.

These are not merely rituals; they are emblematic of the cultural renaissance of Kashmir. This time, the awakening is strong, resolute, and unwavering, and it will prove formidable for any force that attempts to hinder this rebirth, and today, is over this very awakening that we shall discuss and enlighten our audience with!

Reclaiming Sharada Peeth, one step at a time!

The seeds of transformation in Kashmir were sown during the recent Navratri pujan at Sharada Peeth, nestled along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kupwara, Kashmir. This sacred event marked a historic moment, as for the first time since 1947, the melodies of Navratri pujas reverberated within the ancient Sharda Temple.

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Abandoned and left to the ravages of time, this temple received a new lease on life in March 2023 after a meticulous renovation. The revival of Sharda Temple wasn’t just a local affair; it captured the attention and joy of the nation, including the current Union Home Minister, Amit Shah. His heartfelt words, “It is a matter of profound spiritual significance,” underscored the temple’s resurgence and its role in rekindling the spiritual and cultural flame of our nation. The temple’s reopening, presided over by Amit Shah on 23rd March 2023, symbolized not only the return of peace to the valley but also the revival of our rich heritage.

Sharada Peeth, or ‘the seat of Sharada,’ is the Kashmiri name for Goddess Saraswati. It holds a unique place in the tapestry of our ancient knowledge centers. In a time when knowledge and wisdom flourished, Sharada Peeth stood as one of the foremost universities in the Indian subcontinent. Its hallowed halls were once graced by scholars and seekers, making it a cherished repository of learning.

However, it’s vital to acknowledge that the Sharda Temple in Kashmir isn’t the original complex. The true heart of Sharada Peeth resides in the Neelum Valley of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), which is currently under the illegal occupation of Pakistani forces.

The recent revival of Sharda Temple serves as a beacon of hope and renewal, reminding us of our profound cultural heritage. It signifies the resilience of our traditions and the enduring power of spirituality, even in the most challenging circumstances. The return of Navratri pujas to this historic site is a testament to the enduring spirit of our nation and its relentless pursuit of cultural and spiritual preservation.

Undoubtedly tough, but definitely not impossible!

As the echoes of prayers and chants grace the sacred Sharda Temple once more, it serves as a poignant reminder of our shared history and the radiant future that awaits us, rooted in the reawakening of our cultural and spiritual values.

Yet, the path toward the reclamation of Kashmir’s original culture is far from a cakewalk. There are factions that yearn for the return of the Kashmir of the 90s, a period marked by turmoil and strife. For them, the abrogation of Article 370 poses a direct challenge to their decades-long hegemony in the Valley.

Nonetheless, since the abrogation of Article 370, the entire Valley, which once seemed to shut down at the command from either Rawalpindi or Srinagar, is gradually blossoming again.

Take, for instance, a heartening case from 2021. The Shital Nath Temple in the Habba Kadal area of Srinagar, which had remained closed for decades due to terrorism and the mass exodus of Kashmiri Pandits, reopened on the auspicious occasion of Basant Panchami. Devotees conducted a special ‘Pooja’ to mark the temple’s reawakening.

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This was not an isolated occurrence. Shobha yatras, from Janmashtami to Mahashivratri, have been revived with fervor in some areas of the Kashmir Valley, a stark contrast to the eerie silence occasionally disturbed by secessionist protests from 2004 to 2014.

The reopening of the Shital Nath Temple isn’t the sole initiative undertaken by the central government to restore normalcy and beckon Kashmiri Pandits back to the region. In a significant move, the Union Cabinet, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the Jammu and Kashmir Languages Bill 2020 in September 2020. This bill designated five languages—Hindi, Kashmiri, Dogri, English, and Urdu—as the official languages of the region.

Furthermore, media reports indicate a surge in tourism, exemplifying the changing dynamics in the Valley. In the first eight months of 2022, a staggering 20.5 lakh tourists visited Kashmir, including 3.65 lakh Amarnath Yatris. The picturesque locales of Srinagar, along with tourist havens like Pahalgam, Gulmarg, and Sonmarg, remained fully booked with hotels and guesthouses reporting 100 percent occupancy during the season.

Kashmir is stirring, and its awakening carries the promise of a brighter, more harmonious future. As it rejuvenates, it sends ripples of transformation that will inevitably touch every corner of our beloved Bharat. The cultural heart of Kashmir is beating once more, and the entire nation will soon feel its pulse.

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