The precincts of a newly constructed Maa Sharda Devi Temple, located close to the line of control in Tithwal village of North Kashmir district of Kupwara, came alive on Wednesday as large number of devotees assembled here for the first time to worship the idol, made from panch dhatu (five metals).
The 3.5 feet-tall idol of Goddess Sri Sharadamba, was donated by the Sringeri Sharada mutt for installation at the newly-constructed Sharda Temple.
The temple, constructed on a piece of land provided by the local villagers in the area, was formally inaugurated by the Union Home Minister Amit Shah through video conferencing. Several dignitaries including Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha, were present on the occasion and became witness to the historic occasion.Several guests including Ravindra Pandita , Founder Save Sharda Committee Kashmir, Kashmiri pandit scholars were given warm reception by the local villagers on their arrival in Tithwal.
Amit Shah began his address by wishing countrymen for the New Year. He said that today on occasion of New Year, the newly constructed temple of Maa Sharda has been opened for the devotees and this is an auspicious sign for devotees from all over India. He said inauguration of Maa Sharda's temple is beginning of a new era. He said that today’s beginning will help in bringing back lost glory of this place and with the blessing of Maa Sharda this place will remain the centre of worship and continue to awaken the consciousness of India for ages. “Sharda Peeth has been a historical centre of India's cultural, religious and educational heritage, like Kartarpur Corridor, Government under the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will move forward to open Sharda Peeth for devoteesâ€.
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.
Shah said the idol of Sharda Maa, donated by Sringeri Math, and its installation here, the time period from 24 January till today was like a journey.
The reconstruction of Maa Sharda's temple in Kupwara is a necessary and important step in direction of discovery of Sharda-civilization and promotion of Sharda-script.
