User:Anil Bhatt PTI

Atop Dal Lake oldest Shankeracharay Temple turning Dull

Anil Bhatt Shankeracharya Hills (J-K)

The 5000-year old black stone Shiva temple, seat of Adhi Shankeracharya in northern India, set against the picturesque backdrop of world famous Dal lake, awaits immediate restoration, as it has developed multiple cracks amid erosion during the last 13 years of militancy in J and K.

Popularly known as Shankeracharya temple after the name of Adi Shankeracharya of Kashyapmeru "Kashmir Peethum", the temple has developed 16 cracks on its unique architectured roof top and bewitching circumference due to utter negligence of Dharmarth Temple Trust (DTT) and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on repair and restoration front during the past one decade, Kashmiri Hindu Welfare Front (KHWF), President, Chaman Lal Koul told PTI.

"If this neglect on restoration front continues on the part of ASI and DTT, the seat of Shankeracharya (temple) will soon be a monument of the past only. Therefore, it needs immediate restoration," said J and K Civil Secretriat employee Koul, who has been visiting the temple regularly for the last 13 years of militancy in the valley.

"It pours heavily inside the temple. Besides rock erosion has taken place around hillock. Some big stones, which had become loosened had been replaced and iron reinforcement provided around the circumference stone a year ago. But that is not sufficient," priest of the temple, Om Prakash, said.

Dharmarth trust, has failed to undertake any repair work on these temples during 13 years not to think of reconstruction of 113 temples destroyed during the militancy period in the Kashmir valley, Ramesh Bhat, a devotee said.

While 37 Hindu shrines were allegedly converted into Islamic monuments or destroyed during advent of Islam in Kashmir, 39 temples were damaged or destroyed during 1986 riots, 15 temples damaged from 1987 to 1990 and 21 shrines damaged and destroyed between 1990 to 1992, All State Kashmir Pandit Conference (ASKPC), General Secretary, Hira Lal Chatta said.

"We urge Chief Minister Mufti Sayeed to give a healing touch to Kashmir temples by reconstruction of those destroyed during the last 20 years and in the first phase famous Uma Nagri temple, Kulwagisheri, Nand Kishur Ashmuji temple and Sanatan Dharm Sabha should be constructed immediately," he said.