• Sharda Peeth is a Hindu temple located in the Neelam Valley in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
• It is considered one of the 18 Maha Shakti Peethas, or major shrines, of the Hindu goddess Shakti.
• The temple is an important pilgrimage site for Hindus, particularly those from the Kashmir Valley.

History and Significance

• The temple is believed to have been established in the 6th century CE by Adi Shankaracharya, a famous Hindu philosopher and saint.
• Sharda Peeth became an important center of learning and scholarship during the medieval period, attracting scholars from all over India and even from as far as Central Asia.
• The temple was destroyed several times by invading armies and underwent major renovations and restorations under various rulers over the centuries.
• The temple’s importance declined during the colonial period and it fell into disrepair in the years following India’s partition in 1947.

• visited by people from both sides of the border.

Significance in Kashmiri Identity

• Sharda Peeth is an important part of Kashmiri Hindu identity and culture, and its restoration and revival have been a longstanding demand of the community.
• Some Kashmiri Pandits view the temple as a symbol of their lost homeland and argue that its restoration would be a step towards reclaiming their cultural and religious heritage.
• Others, however, caution against politicizing the temple and argue that it should be seen as a shared heritage of all Kashmiris, regardless of their religious or political affiliations.

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