Collective accord: Muslims in Pulwama help renovate decades-old temple
'LeT Azaan and echo from temple bells be raised simultaneously'
Pulwama: People in South Kashmir have yet again set an example of brotherhood and communal harmony by renovating a decades-old temple in Pulwama district.
Muslims in Pulwama district, presently considered as the epicenter of militancy have yet again sent a message of communal harmony to the world by joining hands with Pandits to renovate an eight-decade old temple.
The Shiva temple located in Achan village of Litter Tehsil in Pulwama district remained closed after most of the Pandits left the Valley in 1989. The temple is located barely 50 meters away from a mosque.
People of the village are hopeful that renovation of temple by Muslims will send a message of peace and communal harmony.
“There were 30 to 40 Pandit families living in the village but all of them migrated from here and just one family is living here since then,” said a local, Farooq Ahmed.
“Last year, this family approached local Auqaf seeking help in restoration of decades old temple and later this issue was brought in notice of concerned authorities and they sanctioned Rs 4 lakh for the restoration of the temple,” he said.
Auqaf Chairman Achan, Mir Nazir said that “we want to convey that Muslims and Pandits are living together here and welcome others to come and settle here again who left the Valley in 90’s.”
At a time when many people in India are engaged in warmongering and are harassing Kashmiri people outside the Valley, we are giving them a message of peace and communal harmony, he said, adding that the temple that used to be thronged by devotees from all over India will be thrown open later this year.
Bushan Lal, Head of the sole Pandit family living in the village said that with the restoration of temple, they hope that peace and their good old days will return.
“We were never harassed by anyone here and are living happily here but we want those old days back when about 40 Pandit families were living here,” he said
“We are thankful to the Muslims of the locality who never let us feel alone here and love us more than our Pandit brothers,” he added.
“The whole locality wishes that Pandits return and live together like they used to live here before,” said Muzafar Ahmad a local resident, adding that “we hope that we will hear the ‘Azaan’ and Temple bells together very soon.”
Sanjay kumar brother of Bushan lal said that “our Muslim neighbours are helping us in restoration of the temple as they respect this temple as we also respect their Mosque. We live like brothers here and Muslims have been taking our care in most troubled time.”
Jahangeer Ganaie
