Sharada Peeth

Sharada Peeth
  • شاردا پیٹھ
Ruins of Sharada Peeth
Religion
AffiliationHinduism
DistrictNeelum Valley
RegionKashmir
DeitySharada
RiteShaktism, Shaivism, Vedism
Location
LocationSharda
CountryPakistan
Map showing the location of the temple relative to the Kashmir region and Pakistan
Map showing the location of the temple relative to the Kashmir region and Pakistan
Location within Kashmir
Map showing the location of the temple relative to the Kashmir region and Pakistan
Map showing the location of the temple relative to the Kashmir region and Pakistan
Location within Pakistan
TerritoryAzad Kashmir
Geographic coordinates34°47′31″N 74°11′24″E / 34.79194°N 74.19000°E / 34.79194; 74.19000
Architecture
StyleKashmiri[1][2]
Specifications
Width22 ft (6.7 m)
Height (max)16 ft (4.9 m)
Site area4 kanals (0.5 acre)[3]

Sharada Peeth is a ruined Hindu temple and ancient centre of learning located in the Neelum Valley of Pakistan-administered Azad Kashmir in the disputed Kashmir region. Between the 6th and 12th centuries CE, it was among the most prominent temple universities in the Indian subcontinent. Known in particular for its library, stories recount scholars travelling long distances to access its texts. It played a key role in the development and popularisation of the Sharada script in North India, causing the script to be named after it, and Kashmir to acquire the moniker "Sharada Desh", meaning "country of Sharada".

As one of the Maha Shakti Peethas, Hindus believe that it represents the spiritual location of the goddess Sati's fallen right hand. Sharada Peeth is one of the three holiest sites of pilgrimage for Kashmiri Pandits, alongside the Martand Sun Temple and the Amarnath Temple.[4]

Sharada Peeth is located approximately 150 kilometres (93 mi) from Muzaffarabad,[5] the capital of Azad Kashmir, and 130 kilometres (81 mi) from Srinagar, the capital of Kashmir [6] It is 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) away from the Line of Control, which divides the Pakistani- and Indian-controlled areas of the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir. It is situated 1,981 metres (6,499 ft) above sea level,[7] along the Neelum River in the village of Sharda, in the valley of Mount Harmukh,[8] believed by Kashmiri Pandits to be the abode of Shiva.[9][10]

  1. ^ Singh, Rajesh (3 July 2017). "The Unexplored Medieval Stone Temples of Kashmir". Heritage India Magazine. Archived from the original on 25 September 2018. Retrieved 25 September 2018. However, a few still stand in different states of preservation at places like Martand, Avantipur, Pattan, Buniar, Pandrethan and Payar, reflecting not only the remarkable temple construction activity that once existed in Kashmir but also showcasing a distinct architectural style. This style, while being inspired by foreign elements (as Kashmir is strategically located on one of the arteries of the ancient Silk-Route), also assimilated the essential features of indigenous temple architectural styles.
  2. ^ Bangroo, Virender (July–September 2008). "Temple Architecture of Kashmir". Dialogue. 10. Archived from the original on 5 September 2019. Retrieved 25 September 2018 – via Astha Bharati.
  3. ^ Kumar, Ramesh (16 December 1998 – 15 January 1999). "Sarada Pilgrimage - its Socio-Historicity - I" (PDF). Kashmir Sentinel. 5: 16. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 September 2018.
  4. ^ Kumar, Ramesh (16 December 1998 – 15 January 1999). "Sarada Pilgrimage - its Socio-Historicity - I" (PDF). Kashmir Sentinel. 5: 16. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 September 2018.
  5. ^ Rehman, Faiz ur (31 December 2017). "Peace & Economy beyond Faith: A Case Study of Sharda Temple". Pakistan Vision. 18 (2): 1–14 – via academia.edu. Located in the isolated village of Sharda in Neelum Valley in Pakistan's Kashmir,1 at a distance of around 140 Kilometers from Muzaffarabad, (the capital city) and nearly 30 km from Kupwara (a town in Indian Administered Kashmir), it lies few miles from the Line of Control (LoC) in a very sensitive military zone.
  6. ^ Godbole, Sanjay. "The Sharda Temple of Kashmir". Kashmiri Pandit Network / Kashmir Sentinel. Archived from the original on 21 December 2018. Retrieved 21 December 2018.
  7. ^ YUSUF JAMEEL (16 July 2017). "Kashmiri Pandits want reopening of Sharda Peeth in PoK, plan to approach PM". Deccan Chronicle.
  8. ^ Raina, Mohini Qasba (2013). Kashur: The Kashmiri Speaking People. Trafford Publishing. p. 191. ISBN 978-1490701653. The main centre of excellence was at Sharda Peeth - an ancient seat of learning on the banks of the river Kishenganga in the valley of Mount Harmukh.
  9. ^ Ashraf, Mohammad (9 May 2007). "Haramukh and Gangabal, a historical perspective". Kashmir First. Archived from the original on 24 September 2018. Retrieved 25 September 2018. There used to be seventeen temples of various ages and dimensions here which had been built by different Kings of ancient Kashmir from time to time in honour of S'iva who according to legend, had taken residence here as Bhutesa.
  10. ^ Rehman, Faiz ur (31 December 2017). "Peace & Economy beyond Faith: A Case Study of Sharda Temple". Pakistan Vision. 18 (2): 1–14 – via academia.edu. its water originates from Sarasvati lake which is located on the top of Narda peak, ... another holy place for Hindus because it is considered to be the birth place of Shivajee