Revival of the lost legacy Sharda Mata Temple, Gugloosa

Dr Ruchi Shah

It is believed to be 5000 yrs old temple of Pandavas though authentication by archaeological survey of India is pending. The information regarding this temple has been submitted in the office of the concerned authorities and they are made aware regarding its historical significance. This temple is worshiped in the form of SHILA, which is believed to have a spring underneath the same shila.Sharda peeth, which is now in Muzafabad, PoK is the holiest pilgrimages of the Hindus and Buddhists all over the world and it holds a significant place in site for ancient universities like Nalanda and Taxila. The temple has a very interesting and well documented folktale associated with it. It is believed that Sharda script native to Kashmir is named after Goddess Sharda, the goddess of learning also represented as Saraswati. It is believed that goddess Sati’s right hand has fallen there due to which it is believed that during Sagar Manthan, a Myna commonly called as Haer in Kashmiri,took a few drops of Amrit (Nectar) in its beak and out of which one drop had fallen at VillageGugloosa from which this Shila has originated. It is also believed that there is a Kund underneath this Shila. It is mentioned in Sharda Mahimapuranm by Dr. Brij Nath Koul. After displacement of Kashmiri Pandits from the village in 1990 and due to uncertain political and security situation, the temple stands in ruins till last week. Shila was buried under the temple debris. After about 29 years the native Kashmiri Hindu families visited the temple and were disheartened to see the dilapidated state of the temple. The local Pandit families created a registered Trust for temple which is looking after the repair and renovation work of the same. The only goal is to restore it to old glory though the resources are very meagre. There are only 15 native families to this village and they have donated form their pockets for the repair work. District Kupwara administration was also contacted multiple times and have assured for the repair, for which villagers are hopeful to see the light of the day.Trust members and executive visited the site and it was decided to start the renovation work immediately. It was fascinating to observe that during the cleaning of the temple, a one legged myna was constantly monitoring the whole process as if it was supervising and rejoicing the temples’s revival. For some it might be a co-incidence or superstition but it’s a symbol of faith and hope for those who have a strong belief in Sanatan Dharma.
The holy Shila was taken out of the debris after 35 years and now the construction work is going on. Large stones which are not native to this place were taken out from the debris which have carvings from old tools showing its roots in the era of Pandavas. It’s very important that the Archaeological Survey of India must visit the site and examine this prehistoric temple and analyze the fossils through carbon dating to exactly elucidate the timeline. These temples are a symbol of our cultural heritage and faith.These temples must be restored and preserved for our future generations to understand their deep roots in Kashmir. It is my request to the CM Omar Abdullah and Lt. Gov. Manoj Sinha to please take cognisance of the findings and help the native villagers for the repair and restoration of this ancient temple.
(The author is Scientist,University of Kashmir)

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