Attempt to encroach upon Sharika Temple land: Panun Kashmir

Tribune News Service

Advertisement

Jammu, September 6

The Panun Kashmir (PK), a frontal organisation of displaced Pandits, today alleged that an attempt was being made to encroach upon the land belonging to the ancient Sharika Temple situated on the Hari Parbat in Srinagar city.

The organisation claimed that two new colonies had been constructed close to the shrine on the hillock overlooking the summer capital but no action had been taken by the local administration to stop the construction.

During the launch of the book “Sharika Parbat-Hari Parbat - A Saga of Onslaught, Desecration, Iconoclasm and Destruction” co-authored by Prof Mohan Lal Kaul and Upender Ambardar, the authors described the historical aspect of the shrine and also encroachment made around the ancient temple during the last 25 years since the minority community left the Valley after the eruption of militancy.

Speaking on the occasion, Panun Kashmir chairman Ajay Chrangoo said Pandits were concerned about the encroachment of temples and shrines by members of the majority community, which should be cleared.

“Sharika is the oldest spiritual centre of Kashmir. Kalhan Pandit in his historical account, Rajatarangini, makes a mention of the hillock as the focal point of people, but now these places are being erased,” Chrangoo alleged.

Author Prof ML Koul said during the rule of Shamsuddin Araki, the shrine and its entire area, including scores of temples, were burnt down.

“It was only during the rule of the Sikhs and Dogras that the Hari Parbat was restored back to Hindus after 300 years. But since 1990, when militancy erupted, efforts are being to again destroy this place,” Koul said.

Convener Dr Agnishekhar said the Mahabharata and numerous other religious scriptures had projected the ‘Sharika Parbat’ as an embodiment of spirituality and divinity.