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Sharada Temple in POK

From the Bhakti List Archives

VAgarwalV • July 11, 2001 


I am enclosing this news item on the Sharada temple in POK. According to 
tradition, the temple and the attached institution (Sarvajna Pitha) was 
renowned for its manuscript collection about a 1000 years ago. So much so 
that Sri Ramanujacharya travelled all the way from Tamil Nadu to consult the 
only available manuscript of the Bodhayana Vrtti - the earliest commentary on 
the Brahmasutras, before he wrote the Sri Bhashya. Tradition also states that 
Sri Shankaracharya acquired the title 'Jagadguru' only after he had answered 
all the questions posed to him by the scholars of this temple. The 
institution is also said to have exchanged manuscripts with some kings of 
Gujarat, who were great patrons of Jaina and Hindu learning. The place is 
presently also called Sharadi in Pakistan.

****

Kashmiri Pandits Long to Pilgrimage to Sharda Temple
Source: http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/01july09/national.htm#7
Courtesy : HPI 11 July 2001

NEW DELHI, INDIA, July 8, 2001: Longing to pilgrimage to the Sharda Temple
in Kishanganga Valley in an area of Kashmir occupied by Pakistan, Kashmiri
Pandits have appealed to Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee to openly
discuss the issue in summit talks with Pakistan President Pervez Musharrat.
Since 1990 when Pakistan took over the valley, the 350,000 Pandits who
migrated to avoid the militancy have since been denied the privilege of
visiting their ancestral temple. Also known as a famous learning centre
among Kashmiris, historians have found chronicles highlighting the temple as
far back as 1130 ce. For many centuries the Sharda Temple has been the focal
point in many pilgrims' lives. Even though the site is now in ruins, it
exudes an awe inspiring glory and Kashmiri Pandits want to worship and
express their devotion at the renowned temple complex.


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