Kashmiri Pandits reopen J&K temple after 35 years, Muslims invited as chief guests

Kashmiri Pandits have reopened the Sharada Bhawani temple in Ichkoot, Budgam, after 35 years, with local Muslims invited as special guests during the ceremony. The temple, which had fallen into disrepair following the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits in 1990, is now being restored with the support of local communities.

A video surfaced showing a pran pratishtha ceremony being performed at the temple, during which the idol of Lord Shiva, recovered from the temple premises, was installed. Devotees participated in pooja and bhajan singing to mark the occasion.

The resurrection of the temple



and its surrounding area has been carried out by Kashmiri Pandit families, including employees under the Prime Minister's package living in Budgam, with active assistance from local Muslims and the district administration. They helped clean the temple and continue to support its reconstruction.

The Kashmiri Pandit community has announced plans for weekly and monthly gatherings at the temple, aiming to make it a regular site of worship and community events. Local authorities and residents expressed cooperation, highlighting efforts to rebuild communal harmony alongside the physical restoration of the temple.