Teetwal, October 21, 2025 – In a heartwarming display of interfaith harmony along the Line of Control (LoC), the newly reconstructed Sharda Yatra Temple and the adjacent Guru Teg Bahadur Gurudwara in Teetwal, Kupwara district, illuminated the crisp mountain air with the flicker of candles and traditional diyas during Diwali celebrations. Locals, displaced Kashmiri Pandits, and Indian Army jawans came together to light oil lamps, offer prayers, and distribute sweets, marking a poignant revival of cultural traditions in this border hamlet.The festivities, led by construction committee member Ajaz Khan, transformed the sacred sites into beacons of hope and resilience. Hundreds of earthen lamps dotted the premises, casting a golden hue over the structures that stand as symbols of Kashmir’s rich heritage. Ravinder Pandita, founder and head of the Save Sharda Committee Kashmir , extended Diwali greetings to Sharda devotees worldwide, emphasising the event’s significance in fostering communal bonds amid the region’s challenging history.”This Diwali is not just a festival of lights; it’s a testament to our shared commitment to peace and preservation,” Pandita said in a statement.
The celebrations included traditional aarti rituals at the Sharda Temple, dedicated to Goddess Saraswati – revered as the Kashmiri embodiment of knowledge and wisdom – and parallel observances at the Gurudwara, honoring Sikh traditions. Army personnel, stationed in this sensitive LoC area, joined enthusiastically, sharing mithai and stories that bridged generations and communities.The reconstruction of these sites, spearheaded by the Save Sharda Committee, has been a collaborative effort involving local Muslims, Sikhs, and Kashmiri Pandits. Prior to the 1947 tribal raids, the plot housed a dharmshala and Sikh gurdwara, both destroyed in the violence. Last year, the committee reclaimed and rebuilt the land, with the Sharda Temple inaugurated in March 2023 by Union Home Minister Amit Shah via video conferencing. The Gurudwara’s restoration, nearly complete, complements the temple’s revival, aiming to reinstate Teetwal as a key base camp for the ancient Sharda Peeth pilgrimage – a route halted since Partition.Teetwal, perched on the banks of the Kishanganga River just 40 kilometers from the historic Sharda Peeth in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), has long been a crossroads of faiths. The temple’s reopening has sparked calls for a “Sharda Corridor” on the lines of the Kartarpur Sahib corridor, allowing pilgrims unrestricted access to the PoK site – once one of South Asia’s premier centers of learning.Local resident and construction committee member Ajaz Khan highlighted the inclusive spirit: “This is our Diwali, our Gurpurab, our shared joy.
Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, and our brave jawans – we light these diyas together for a brighter tomorrow.” The event drew participants from across Kashmir, with no reports of disruptions despite the proximity to the border.As firecrackers echoed faintly in the valley and the scent of sweets wafted through the air, the celebrations underscored Kashmir’s enduring ethos of unity. With the LoC relatively calm post the 2021 ceasefire renewal, such gatherings signal a slow but steady return to normalcy, where festivals transcend divides.The Save Sharda Committee continues its advocacy for heritage tourism and religious access, urging the central government to facilitate cross-border pilgrimages. As Diwali’s message of triumph over darkness resonates, Teetwal’s lights serve as a powerful reminder: in Kashmir’s shadowed valleys, hope burns eternal.
