Culture
In Pictures: Sharda Puja Performed By Indians Near LoC With PoK ‘For The First Time Since Partition’
- The recent puja performed on the banks of the Kishenganga river at the LoC by the members of the Save Sharda Committee strengthens hopes for reopening the Sharda pilgrimage route on the lines of Kartarpur Corridor.
Sharda Divas at the LOC
It is said to be one of the routes taken by pilgrims to visit the Sharda Peeth during the annual yatra in pre-partition days, but unfortunately today lies as the dividing line between India and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
The Kishenganga river, where the puja was performed, is a heavily guarded zone between the Indian Army and the occupying Pakistani forces.
During the puja, the worshippers also offered oblations to those who have lost their lives in the ongoing violence in Jammu and Kashmir.
"The puja assumes significance as it was allowed by Indian Army as well as the district police," says the committee, which has been demanding the reopening of the Sharda pilgrimage route on the lines of Kartarpur Corridor.
Members of the civil society in Pakistan, which has been targeted by the Imran Khan Niazi led government and the Pakistan Army, are also said to have paid obeisance at Sharda Peeth on the request of Save Sharda Committee.
Although the couple wanted to offer prayers at the ancient Sharda Peeth temple, they were denied permission by Pakistani authorities but were allowed to conduct the puja at a location some 100 km away from the temple.
