Teetwal, April 07, 2025 – The Sharda Temple near the Line of Control in Teetwal, Kashmir, welcomed its first group of Kashmiri Pandit pilgrims from Handwara , alongside visitors from Bangalore and Mumbai, marking a significant moment for the recently revived spiritual site. Situated in the Kupwara district along the banks of the Kishanganga River, the temple saw a continuous flow of devotees and curious locals throughout the day, reflecting its growing prominence as a pilgrimage destination.
The arrival of Kashmiri Pandits from Handwara, a town in northern Kashmir, signifies a reconnection with a heritage disrupted since the partition in 1947, when the original Sharda Peeth—an ancient center of learning and worship in what is now Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK)—became inaccessible. The Teetwal temple, inaugurated by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on March 22, 2023, serves as a symbolic substitute, allowing devotees to honor Goddess Sharda, the deity of wisdom and knowledge revered by Kashmiri Pandits. Additional groups from Bangalore and Mumbai joined the pilgrimage, highlighting the temple’s appeal beyond the region.
Ravinder Pandita, head of the Save Sharda Committee Kashmir, which spearheaded the temple’s reconstruction, noted the diverse turnout “The first group of Kashmiri Pandits arrived from Handwara. Another group from Bangalore & Mumbai. Locals too throng the temple, more out of curiosity. Continuous flow of visitors. Jai Sharda,” he wrote, tagging officials like Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the Deputy Commissioner of Kupwara. The temple, built with support from the Sringeri Mutt in Karnataka and local Muslims who donated the land, stands as a testament to interfaith collaboration and cultural revival.
Locals from Teetwal and nearby areas also flocked to the site, drawn by curiosity about the temple’s significance and the influx of pilgrims. Since its opening, the Sharda Temple has attracted over 5,000 visitors daily, according to Pandita’s earlier statements, boosting both spiritual tourism and community ties in this remote border village. The temple’s proximity to the LoC—less than 500 meters from PoK—adds a poignant layer to its role as a base camp for the Sharda Peeth pilgrimage, a route dormant since 1948 due to geopolitical tensions.
The event follows recent spiritual milestones at the temple, including the installation of a Sharda Sri Chakra by a group from Kerala on April 5, 2025, during Chaitra Maas Shukla Paksha Ashtami. That ceremony, described by Pandita as a “divine moment” reviving Adi Shankaracharya’s Digvijaya Yatra, underscored the temple’s growing status as a pan-Indian pilgrimage site. Today’s arrivals further cement its place in the Kashmiri Pandit diaspora’s efforts to reclaim their religious and cultural legacy.
Security remains tight due to the temple’s sensitive location, with visitors requiring online permits to access Teetwal, a high-security zone closed to foreigners. Despite these challenges, the steady stream of devotees reflects a resilient faith. “Jai Sharda,” a chant echoing through the temple grounds today, encapsulates the hope of Kashmiri Pandits who see Teetwal as a stepping stone toward reopening the original Sharda Peeth across the LoC, a demand echoed by Amit Shah during the temple’s inauguration.
As the sun set over the Kishanganga River at 6:05 PM IST, the Sharda Temple stood vibrant with activity, blending devotion with curiosity. The day’s events signal a new chapter for Teetwal, transforming it from a quiet border village into a hub of spiritual and communal significance.