Srinagar: The Save Sharda Committee of Kashmiri Pandits has appealed the Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan to allow them to undertake Sharada pilgrimage to Muzaffarabad in Pakistan Administered Kashmir.
In an open letter to the incumbent Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, the committee hoped that PM Imran would help in the facilitation of opening of the route to Sharda Peeth.
The group believes such visits would play an “instrumental role in building people to people contact that will lead to confidence building and for establishing permanent peace in the sub continent”.
The Kashmir Press reproduces the contents the contents of the letter in the largest interest of our readers:
His Excellency Shri Imran Khan
Prime Minister of Pakistan
We the members of ‘Save Sharda Committee’ earnestly appeal to the Prime Minister of Pakistan Sh Imran Khan to allow us to undertake Sharada pilgrimage to Muzafferabad Jammu and Kashmir.
It has been the desire of Kashmiri Pandit community to pay annual visits to the revered pilgrimage site since 1947 as prior to that such pilgrimage was a regular Feature. Devotees from all parts of the State of Jammu and Kashmir used to annually pray for their spiritual emancipation at the temple.
Our appeals to include pilgrimage option in the Cross LOC travel in the past unfortunately elicited no formal response.
We strongly believe that such visits would also play an instrumental role in building people to people contact that we are sure will lead to confidence building and for establishing permanent peace in the sub continent.
We have a glimmer of hope with your government and request you to personally intervene in the matter so that our lifelong wish to pay obeisance at the temple is fullflled.
Vinod Trisal (Advocate)
On behalf of Save Sharda Committee
Lal Mandi,
Srinagar (Kashmir)
Post Script: Sharada Peeth is an abandoned Hindu temple located in the village of Sharda, along the Neelam River. It is situated at a distance of 93 miles from Muzaffarabad (capital of Pakistan controlled Kashmir) and only 42 miles from Baramulla.
Sharada Peeth was a major centre of learning, and is regarded as one of 18 Maha Shakti Peethas.
Kashmiri Pandits remain highly devoted towards their goddess Sharada, and by extension, to the Sharada Peeth temple.