In a heart warming display of cross-border solidarity, the Save Sharda Committee Kashmir Registered celebrated Mahashivratri at the revered Sharda Temple in Teetwal, Kashmir, on March 9, 2024. The festivities not only included traditional rituals and Puja but also featured the distribution of walnuts to the locals, a customary practice on this auspicious occasion.
The celebration at Sharda temple saw active participation from a large number of locals and committee members. The Shivratri event held special significance as it aimed to foster unity and shared cultural values among the people of the region.
In a remarkable display of camaraderie, members of the Civil Society in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) joined hands in the celebration. Walnuts were offered at the Sharda Peeth in PoJK as a gesture of goodwill and continuance of long established tradition at the shaktipeeth. Additionally, they sent heartfelt blessings from the snow-clad Sharda Peeth to the Kashmiri Hindu community.
Regarding the festivities and the continued struggle, Mr. Ravinder Pandita, the Head and Founder of Save Sharda Committee Kashmir Regd., expressed his warm greetings to the entire community and civil society on both sides of the Line of Control (LoC) on the occasion of Mahashivratri. He said, “‘ I extend my warm greetings to whole community and civil society on both sides of LoC on Shivratri especially our members across LoC today.”
Interestingly, the celebration showcased the committee’s commitment to preserving cultural heritage. Apparently, Save Sharda Committee regd. has been at the helm of preserving as well as resurrecting Sharda Peeth, a revered Hindu shaktipeeth situated across LOC in Pakistan occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The committee’s civil society across LOC has played a pivotal role in performing the essential rituals and preserving the scared Hindu site, which is considered pious by every Kashmiri irrespective of their religion.