Sharada Temple in POK

July 11, 2001

I am enclosing this news item on the Sharada temple in POK. According to

tradition, the temple and the attached institution (Sarvajna Pitha) was

renowned for its manuscript collection about a 1000 years ago. So much so

that Sri Ramanujacharya travelled all the way from Tamil Nadu to consult the

only available manuscript of the Bodhayana Vrtti - the earliest commentary on

the Brahmasutras, before he wrote the Sri Bhashya. Tradition also states that

Sri Shankaracharya acquired the title 'Jagadguru' only after he had answered

all the questions posed to him by the scholars of this temple. The

institution is also said to have exchanged manuscripts with some kings of

Gujarat, who were great patrons of Jaina and Hindu learning. The place is

presently also called Sharadi in Pakistan.

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Kashmiri Pandits Long to Pilgrimage to Sharda Temple

Courtesy : HPI 11 July 2001

NEW DELHI, INDIA, July 8, 2001: Longing to pilgrimage to the Sharda Temple

in Kishanganga Valley in an area of Kashmir occupied by Pakistan, Kashmiri

Pandits have appealed to Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee to openly

discuss the issue in summit talks with Pakistan President Pervez Musharrat.

Since 1990 when Pakistan took over the valley, the 350,000 Pandits who

migrated to avoid the militancy have since been denied the privilege of

visiting their ancestral temple. Also known as a famous learning centre

among Kashmiris, historians have found chronicles highlighting the temple as

far back as 1130 ce. For many centuries the Sharda Temple has been the focal

point in many pilgrims' lives. Even though the site is now in ruins, it

exudes an awe inspiring glory and Kashmiri Pandits want to worship and

express their devotion at the renowned temple complex.

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