Goddess Durga in Devasar

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devi_bhakta wrote:

Anantnag (Jammu and Kashmir)15 July, 2005: The six hundred-year-old

Tripur Sundari temple, dedicated to the Goddess Durga in Devasar in

Anantnag district, which was lying in a neglected state for the last

15 years, is being restored by local Muslim residents of the area.

 

The pundits of the area migrated from the region following a

mysterious fire. But now people belonging to Muslim community have

pooled in the resources for its original structure.They fondly

recall the days when both the communities -- Hindus and Muslim --

resided peacefully in the valley.

 

" Everyone who visits the temple also takes care of its maintenance, "

said Ghulam Nabi, a resident. " We greatly respect the Goddess.

Moreover, the villagers hold this temple in high regard. We will

maintain the temple till the time our Hindu brothers return to the

region. "

 

Another resident, Shabir Ahmad, said, " We come early in the morning

and see whatever is there to be done. We clean the place. We do face

problem in bringing water here to clean it. But, we do try our best

to keep it as clean as possible. "

 

The people here are also awaiting the return of pre-1987 period when

peace and harmony prevailed in this region.

 

" We are happy here cleaning the temple. And are hopeful that our

pundit brothers, who have left us, would soon join us, " said Syed

Shafi, a resident.

 

The temple bears the brunt of time and needs proper renovation. The

locals say that the Government should pitch in to supplement their

efforts and fully restore the temple to its original glory.

 

Situated at a distance of 55 kms. of the south east of Srinagar,

Anantnag is spread over an area of 3984 Sq. Kms. with a population

of 11.70 lacs as it stood in 2001.

 

The Anantnag is gateway of the Kashmir Valley also called as the

granary of Kashmir, for it's agriculturally very fertile. The

district is predominantly rural and situated at an average height of

1,700 meters above sea-level. The people of the district are mostly

engaged in agriculture, principal crops being Rice and Maize. The

district comprises 5 tehsils and 12 community development blocks.

 

The district is not only the Bread Bowl of the Valley,it is equally

rich in landscape.The nature has been bountiful enough in gifting

the district with places of unparallel beauty,important among these

are: Pahalgam, Acchabal, Kokernag, Verinag, Daksum. (ANI)

 

SOURCE: New Kerala

URL: http://www.newkerala.com/news.php?action=fullnews & id=6883