Author:
Col (Dr.) Ashwani Kumar, MID, VSM (Retd.)
Chief Executive Officer, Shri Sharada Sarvagya Peeth, Jammu and Kashmir.

A Soldier’s Voice to the Nation. The time has come to restore the historic temple of Maa Sharda, preserve the spiritual legacy of Sharda Peeth, and honour the faith of millions of devotees.

Faith Is Not Merely a Memory, It Is a Responsibility.

India’s civilisation is defined not merely by its geography, political history or historical monuments, but also by the sacred pilgrimage sites, centres of learning and spiritual traditions that have guided generations. The historic Sharda Peeth, dedicated to Maa Sharda, is an important symbol of this heritage. It is associated with the ancient Indian traditions of knowledge, learning, wisdom and spiritual pursuit.

The very mention of Sharda Peeth evokes the cultural memories of the Kashmiri Pandit community, their devotion to Maa Sharda, and the enduring legacy of India’s intellectual and spiritual traditions. For millions of Sanatan Dharma followers in India and across the world, Maa Sharda represents knowledge, wisdom and spiritual enlightenment. Yet, a fundamental question confronts us, if this sacred site is an integral part of our faith and cultural heritage, what concrete efforts are we making to preserve it, restore it and enable devotees to reach it safely? This question is not directed against anyone. It is a call to awaken our collective sense of responsibility.

The First Priority: Restoration of the Historic Temple of Maa Sharda.

I respectfully, yet firmly, appeal to the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, and the Hon’ble Union Home Minister, Shri Amit Shah, to accord priority to the preservation, renovation and restoration of the historic temple of Maa Sharda. The Government of India should commission an assessment of the temple’s present condition and the requirements for its conservation. Historical, archaeological, legal, diplomatic and security considerations must be examined, and a practical way forward should be explored through dialogue with the relevant authorities and stakeholders.

The possibility of undertaking this sacred endeavour under the spiritual guidance of Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Dr Amritananda Devtirth Ji Maharaj of Sharda Sarvagy Peeth, Jammu and Kashmir, should also be considered. Religious scholars, representatives of the Kashmiri Pandit community, historians, archaeologists and relevant institutions could be brought together to contribute to this effort. The restoration of the temple is not merely a matter of repairing stones and walls. It is about honouring a historical memory, preserving a spiritual tradition and safeguarding a legacy of learning and devotion. The restoration of Maa Sharda’s historic temple must be our foremost priority, followed by sustained efforts to ensure safe access for devotees.

Honouring the Shankaracharya and Preserving the Spiritual Legacy of Sharda Peeth.

It is also a matter for serious introspection that Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Dr Amritananda Devtirth Ji Maharaj, associated with the historic seat of Maa Sharda, is presently residing in Ghaziabad, while the historic shrine remains beyond the easy reach of devotees. We cannot adequately describe this situation merely as displacement or exile. From our perspective, Sharda Peeth is an integral part of our cultural and spiritual heritage. The real question is: while we profess our devotion to Maa Sharda, what concrete steps are we taking to restore the traditions of her historic seat, the continuity of worship and the faith associated with this sacred place?

Would it not be appropriate for the Government of India and the administration of Jammu and Kashmir to consider providing the Shankaracharya with a dignified, suitable and permanent spiritual centre or premises in Srinagar or Delhi, until he is able to occupy his historic seat at Sharda Peeth? Such a centre should not be limited to providing accommodation. It should serve as a place for the worship of Maa Sharda, the study of scriptures and Indian philosophy, spiritual guidance, and the preservation of the Sanatan tradition of knowledge. It could also host scholarly discussions, religious studies and educational programmes to familiarise younger generations with India’s civilisational heritage.

Under the spiritual guidance of the Shankaracharya, such a centre could help bring followers of Sanatan Dharma together and promote the values of knowledge, spiritual discipline and ethical living. This arrangement would not replace the historic Sharda Peeth, nor should it diminish our commitment to restoring the original shrine. Its purpose would be to keep the spiritual tradition alive while access to its historic home remains a challenge.
A spiritual centre in Srinagar or Delhi could serve as an interim arrangement, but our ultimate commitment must remain the preservation and restoration of the historic Sharda Peeth.

The Faith of Kashmiri Pandits and Our Shared Cultural Heritage.

The question of Sharda Peeth is deeply connected with the sentiments of the Kashmiri Pandit community. Respecting the historical memories, religious symbols and cultural roots of a community is a responsibility of any sensitive and inclusive society. For Kashmiri Pandits, Maa Sharda is more than a religious figure. She represents a connection with their cultural identity, ancestral traditions and the spiritual heritage of Kashmir. The memory of this sacred shrine has remained an important part of their inherited faith.

At the same time, the message of Maa Sharda transcends any one region or community. Her association with knowledge, wisdom, learning and self improvement is a source of inspiration for the wider Sanatan community. The preservation of Sharda Peeth is therefore also a matter of safeguarding India’s broader cultural heritage. This issue should not be reduced to a narrow political controversy or turned into a campaign against any community. It should be pursued through cultural preservation, respect for religious sentiments, recognition of historical memory and peaceful dialogue. Our demand is not rooted in hostility towards anyone. It is rooted in the desire to preserve our heritage and honour our faith.

A Safe and Dignified Pilgrimage Route to Sharda Peeth.

Alongside the restoration of the temple, the Government of India should make sustained efforts to explore safe and dignified access to Sharda Peeth for devotees.
Through dialogue with the relevant parties, the possibility of a designated pilgrimage route or religious corridor could be examined. Any such arrangement would have to take into account security requirements, the realities of the border, local conditions, legal considerations and the necessary consent of the parties concerned. If a permanent arrangement is not immediately feasible, phased alternatives could be explored. These might include examining the possibility of specially facilitated pilgrimages, negotiating limited and regulated access, or pursuing other practical forms of cooperation for the preservation of the historic site.
The first step must be a clear policy approach, serious diplomatic engagement and sustained effort. Difficulties should not become a reason to consign this issue to indefinite neglect.

A safe and workable route would give devotees an opportunity to reconnect with their sacred heritage and would represent an important step towards preserving this historic religious site.

Exploring Alternatives if Immediate Access Is Not Possible.

It must be acknowledged that any solution concerning Sharda Peeth involves historical, legal, diplomatic and security complexities. The Government should therefore prioritise the preservation of the original temple and efforts to establish safe access. If circumstances prevent an immediate solution, other lawful and diplomatically viable options could also be examined with the assistance of experts. These might include cooperation on cultural preservation, the establishment of centres for religious and historical study, and arrangements to sustain the tradition of Maa Sharda at an appropriate location.

Some may also propose, as a gesture of goodwill, the provision of alternative land for a spiritual centre dedicated to Maa Sharda and her traditions. If such an idea is considered, it must be understood that it would not automatically resolve questions of legal rights, sovereignty or other related matters. Its feasibility would require careful examination by legal and diplomatic experts. Nevertheless, no alternative arrangement should replace or weaken the effort to preserve the original Sharda Peeth and establish safe access to it. At most, it could serve as a complementary measure. Our objective should not be to settle for a symbolic substitute, but to preserve Maa Sharda’s historic legacy as closely as possible to its original place and tradition.

Hindu Society Must Also Introspect.

While it is our legitimate right to expect action from the Government, society also has a responsibility to protect its cultural heritage.
Can our religious institutions, scholars, temple committees and social organisations come together on a common platform to work for the preservation of historic sites such as Sharda Peeth? Can we place this issue more firmly in the national discourse through factual research, the compilation of historical records, public awareness and peaceful representation?

Are our younger generations sufficiently familiar with Maa Sharda’s tradition of knowledge? Do we confine our devotion to festivals and rituals, or do we also express it through learning, service, discipline and the preservation of our heritage?
These questions deserve serious reflection. The strength of Hindu society lies not merely in its numbers, but also in its knowledge, organisation, sense of social responsibility and awareness of its heritage. The question of Sharda Peeth reminds us that faith becomes a constructive social force when it is translated into meaningful action.

Temples, religious institutions, scholars, Kashmiri Pandit organisations and followers of Sanatan Dharma across the country should therefore pursue this cause peacefully, constitutionally and on the basis of verifiable facts. A common proposal could be prepared setting out practical measures for temple restoration, an interim spiritual centre for the Shankaracharya and safe pilgrimage access. This should be an endeavour in support of our heritage, not a campaign against anyone.

A Soldier’s Voice: An Appeal to the Nation.

As a soldier, I have understood the importance of duty, discipline and responsibility towards the nation. A soldier’s sense of duty is not confined to the defence of national borders. Respect for the nation’s cultural consciousness, social harmony and historical heritage is also an important part of our collective national responsibility. It is in this spirit that I appeal to the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, the Hon’ble Union Home Minister, Shri Amit Shah and the administration of Jammu and Kashmir to take forward the issue of the historic shrine of Maa Sharda with seriousness and determination.

My Five Clear Demands for the Restoration of Sharda Peeth.

As a CEO Shri Sharda Sarvagy Peeth, I place the following demands before the Government of India and the administration of Jammu and Kashmir in a clear order of priority.

First: A Government-led initiative for the restoration of the historic temple of Maa Sharda.

The Government of India should accord priority to the preservation, renovation and restoration of the historic temple at Sharda Peeth. A committee of relevant experts should assess the site’s condition, identify conservation requirements and examine the feasibility of restoration. Dialogue with the relevant parties should be initiated, followed by a clear and practical action plan.

Second: A dignified spiritual centre for Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Dr Amritananda Devtirth Ji Maharaj.

Until the Shankaracharya is able to occupy his historic seat at Sharda Peeth, the Government of India and the administration of Jammu and Kashmir should consider providing him with a suitable, dignified and permanent spiritual centre in Srinagar or Delhi. The centre should support the worship of Maa Sharda, scriptural study, spiritual guidance and the preservation of the Sanatan tradition of knowledge. Its purpose should be to sustain the spiritual legacy of Sharda Peeth, not to replace the historic shrine.

Third: A safe pilgrimage route to Sharda Peeth.

The Government of India should pursue diplomatic dialogue with the relevant parties to explore a practical pilgrimage corridor or another arrangement that would enable devotees to reach the shrine safely and with dignity. These efforts should take account of security, legal and diplomatic realities and should continue in a sustained manner.

Fourth: Recognition of the faith of Kashmiri Pandits and devotees worldwide.

The historical, religious and cultural significance of Sharda Peeth should be systematically documented. Consultations should be held with the Kashmiri Pandit community, religious scholars, historians and relevant institutions to develop concrete proposals for preserving the shrine’s traditions and examining the possibilities for future worship.

Fifth: Consideration of alternative arrangements if immediate access to the original shrine is not feasible.

If immediate restoration of the historic temple or the establishment of safe pilgrimage access faces practical difficulties, the Government should examine other lawful and diplomatically viable alternatives. These could include considering the provision of suitable land, as a gesture of goodwill, for a spiritual centre dedicated to Maa Sharda’s traditions, or exploring other complementary arrangements. Any such proposal must undergo appropriate legal, diplomatic and security assessment. It must not replace the objective of preserving and restoring the original Sharda Peeth.

My Clear Appeal to the PM, HM and the entire Nation.

I do not want these demands to be dismissed as merely an expression of religious sentiment. I urge the Government of India to examine them seriously, consult the relevant institutions and develop a concrete action plan wherever feasible.

Our priorities are clear: first, initiate the restoration of Maa Sharda’s historic temple; simultaneously, explore a dignified spiritual centre for the Shankaracharya; and continue sustained efforts to secure safe access to the original shrine.

Our devotion to Maa Sharda must be reflected not merely in words, but in concrete efforts to preserve our historical and spiritual heritage.

To sum up turning the Call of Maa Sharda into a Resolve.

Maa Sharda is revered as the goddess of knowledge and learning. Her message inspires wisdom, humility, study and spiritual growth. Efforts to preserve her historic shrine should reflect these very values with determination, peaceful dialogue and respect for constitutional principles.
What we need today is not merely an emotional appeal, but clear demands, serious research, coordinated efforts and a long-term action plan. The restoration of the temple must remain our foremost priority; a dignified spiritual centre for the Shankaracharya should be explored; and sustained dialogue must continue to secure safe access to Sharda Peeth.

Future generations may ask us what we did to protect this heritage when we understood its importance. Our answer must be found not merely in the strength of our faith, but in the sincerity of our actions. The sacred abode of Maa Sharda is a symbol of our cultural memory, spiritual faith and intellectual heritage. Every peaceful, thoughtful and constructive effort to preserve and restore it will be a true tribute to that legacy.

Let us reflect in the name of Maa Sharda, acknowledge our responsibility and resolve to keep the spiritual tradition of her historic seat alive, so that future generations may also have the opportunity to reconnect with it. May the light of Maa Sharda’s wisdom continue to shine. May the spiritual legacy of Sharda Peeth be preserved. And may our faith find expression in resolve, service and constructive action.

A Soldier’s Voice to the Nation

******