Morti Astapna Pooja Held, DC Kulgam visits & Interacts with devotees
KINS DESK
Srinagar, Oct 05 (KINS): In a deeply symbolic event marking a new chapter in the history of the Kashmiri Pandit community, the Arde Nareshwar Temple in Nadi Marg was reopened for devotees after 20 long years.
The reopening ceremony, which included the Morti Astapna Pooja (the consecration of deities), was a powerful moment of spiritual and cultural revival for the region.
The reopening of this temple, long abandoned due to the violence and mass displacement of the community, stands as a testament to the resilience of the Kashmiri Pandit community.
The occasion was made even more significant by the visit of DC Kulgam, Athar Aamir Khan, who interacted with the devotees, offering words of support and encouragement.
Speaking at the event, one of the officials said, “This is more than just the reopening of a temple. It is a homecoming for the Kashmiri Pandit community. After decades of displacement and pain, they are reclaiming their roots. The government is committed to ensuring that this process continues in peace and harmony.”
“This temple reopening is also tied to a deeper and more poignant memory. The village of Nadimarg, where the temple stands, was the site of a tragic massacre on March 23, 2003, when 23 Kashmiri Pandits, including women and children, were brutally killed. The community was devastated, and the violence led to a mass exodus. Now, more than two decades later, the reopening of the Arde Nareshwar Temple is seen as a powerful gesture of healing and renewal,” said one of the pandits.
Kashmiri Pandits, many of whom had fled the valley, have laid the foundation of this temple as part of their mission to reconnect with their homeland and their cultural and religious heritage. “The land that was once soaked in the blood of innocents is now being transformed into a symbol of prayer, faith, and resilience,” said one of the community leaders at the event.
The establishment of the temple is not only a religious act but also an emotional reclaiming of history for the Pandit community. “We are not just building a temple; we are laying the foundation of hope for future generations,” said Anil Kaul, a local leader from the Kashmiri Pandit community. “This is a message to the world that no matter how much pain we endure, we will always rise and return to our roots.”
As the region experiences relative peace and stability, efforts like these are seen as part of a broader attempt by the Pandit community to return to their ancestral lands.
“This is a remarkable day,” said a local devotee .”It gives us hope that one day, we can return to the valley in peace and live without fear.”(KINS)
