06-13-2005, 09:28 AM
Recently, a friend of mine received the letter below and some
pictures [link below]of Sharda Peeth from his Pakistani
friend.......thought you guys might be interested in seeing how our
[kashmiri] heritage is being protected.
Hi XXXXX
When I wrote to you 3-4 weeks ago, immediately after I set off from
UK
to Pakistan and then Azad Kashmir. It was a quick whistle-stop trip
of
2 weeks to see some relatives and take photos. Since I had made a
promise to you, I had to photograph Sharda even it was just plain
land; I had to keep my promise.
Although I had heard of Sharda, I had no idea where it was. Enquiries
revealed that it was in Muzaffarabd distt. but some 140km from
Muzaffarabad city. Along with some friends, I travelled to
Muzaffarabad and then onto Atthmuqam which is about 70km away. We
stayed there overnight and then hired a jeep to Sharda travelling
another 70 km on a partially metalled road.This part of the journey
was the most interesting. We travelled along the Neelum Valley and
along Neelum river which acts as the LOC. We could see AK settlements
and Pak army on this side and JK houses and Indian army across the
river. Until the recent cease-fire, visitors were not allowed in this
area as there was constant firing and shelling. Now it was quiet and
peaceful. Although the people are not allowed to cross the river/LOC
they can now live in peace and communicate with each other using
sign-language and shouting.
Anyway, we arrived in Sharda to be told that the Sharda temple was
inside Pak army barracks and permission had to be obtained to see it.
Apparently, the Pak army moved there a long time ago, taking over the
temple complex and the surrounding area for their barracks.The upside
of this was that the remains of the temple were being maintained and
protected by Pak army. Anyway, we got permission to see the temple
but
were not allowed to take photographs due to some law (I think it was
more to do with the current political climate etc). Anyway, we talked
to the commanding officer and he gave us permission for photography.
As you can imagine, my camera did not stop clicking for a good 10
minutes. The temple was very much in ruin but some of the walls,
stairs and court yard had been saved. I did not know too much history
about the place so was unable to relate places. Facing Sharda village
was a snow-capped mountain range called Narda which was housed a
shrine visited by people in days gone by. Also below the temple was
the area which was once the university. The university dating back
2-3000 years had been a seat of learning during Budhist, Hindu and
Muslim era. There is not much of it left now.I heard that the AK govt
announced that Pandits would be allowed to visit Sharda sometime in
the future. I also heard on the grapevine that a few Pandit folks had
already submitted applications to travel to AK on the peace bus and
visit Sharda.
I will try to sort out the photos and put them on the web this
weekend
for you to see. [below is the link to the pictures]
Regards.
XXX
http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/setlurbad...lbum?.dir=/e51b
pictures [link below]of Sharda Peeth from his Pakistani
friend.......thought you guys might be interested in seeing how our
[kashmiri] heritage is being protected.
Hi XXXXX
When I wrote to you 3-4 weeks ago, immediately after I set off from
UK
to Pakistan and then Azad Kashmir. It was a quick whistle-stop trip
of
2 weeks to see some relatives and take photos. Since I had made a
promise to you, I had to photograph Sharda even it was just plain
land; I had to keep my promise.
Although I had heard of Sharda, I had no idea where it was. Enquiries
revealed that it was in Muzaffarabd distt. but some 140km from
Muzaffarabad city. Along with some friends, I travelled to
Muzaffarabad and then onto Atthmuqam which is about 70km away. We
stayed there overnight and then hired a jeep to Sharda travelling
another 70 km on a partially metalled road.This part of the journey
was the most interesting. We travelled along the Neelum Valley and
along Neelum river which acts as the LOC. We could see AK settlements
and Pak army on this side and JK houses and Indian army across the
river. Until the recent cease-fire, visitors were not allowed in this
area as there was constant firing and shelling. Now it was quiet and
peaceful. Although the people are not allowed to cross the river/LOC
they can now live in peace and communicate with each other using
sign-language and shouting.
Anyway, we arrived in Sharda to be told that the Sharda temple was
inside Pak army barracks and permission had to be obtained to see it.
Apparently, the Pak army moved there a long time ago, taking over the
temple complex and the surrounding area for their barracks.The upside
of this was that the remains of the temple were being maintained and
protected by Pak army. Anyway, we got permission to see the temple
but
were not allowed to take photographs due to some law (I think it was
more to do with the current political climate etc). Anyway, we talked
to the commanding officer and he gave us permission for photography.
As you can imagine, my camera did not stop clicking for a good 10
minutes. The temple was very much in ruin but some of the walls,
stairs and court yard had been saved. I did not know too much history
about the place so was unable to relate places. Facing Sharda village
was a snow-capped mountain range called Narda which was housed a
shrine visited by people in days gone by. Also below the temple was
the area which was once the university. The university dating back
2-3000 years had been a seat of learning during Budhist, Hindu and
Muslim era. There is not much of it left now.I heard that the AK govt
announced that Pandits would be allowed to visit Sharda sometime in
the future. I also heard on the grapevine that a few Pandit folks had
already submitted applications to travel to AK on the peace bus and
visit Sharda.
I will try to sort out the photos and put them on the web this
weekend
for you to see. [below is the link to the pictures]
Regards.
XXX
http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/setlurbad...lbum?.dir=/e51b