Uma Bhagwati temple reopened after 30 years in Anantnag

Adil Akhzer

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Srinagar, July 14

An ancient Hindu temple in South Kashmir, which remained shut for 34 years, was reopened for devotees in the presence of Union minister Nityanand Rai on Sunday. The Uma Bhagwati temple, situated at Uma Nagri Brariangan village in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district was damaged during the 1990s when militancy broke out and Kashmiri Pandits fled from the Valley.

“Kashmir Pandits are very happy about the reopening of the temple. It was an amazing experience for everyone to visit the temple today and attend the puja,” said Ranjan Jotshi from South Kashmir’s Anantnag district. “People had come from all over Jammu and Kashmir and even outside.”

He said the community is feeling happy that the temple has been opened after such a long time. “That is why we witnessed a huge rush of people,” said Jotshi.

As the temple had remained shut for several years, Uma Bhagwati Asthapan Trust had to undertake renovation work, which was recently completed. On Sunday, the idol of Goddess Uma, which was brought from Rajasthan, was installed in the sanctum sanctorum.

“After 34 years, this historic temple dedicated to Goddess Uma is being reopened with a havan. This is a big boost to reclamation of temples in South Kashmir. Besides annual pilgrimage to this temple, Kashmiri Pandits have great reverence for it,” Ravinder Pandita, who spearheaded the efforts in opening of Mata Sharda Devi temple, said. Sharda temple, which was constructed at Teetwal in North Kashmir’s Kupwara district close to the Line of Control, was thrown open in 2023.

As the Uma Bhagwati temple is thrown open to devotees on Sunday, for the remote village in Uma Nagri Brariangan—it was also a moment for bonding between Kashmiri Pandits and Muslims.

“Many people visited the temple today, so it revived the old memories again. Local Muslims welcomed the Kashmiri Pandits today and the whole village was happy,” said a villager.

Among those participating in the inaugural ceremony on Sunday was Union Minister of State for Home, Nityanand Rai. “In the year 1990, the Maa Uma Bhagwati temple was demolished. Now the reconstruction of the temple has been done and today ‘pran pratishtha’ was completed. The yagna that was going on for three days concluded today, I got the opportunity to participate in this holy work,” he wrote on X.