Srinagar temple reopens after decades of damage, neglect; welcomes Kashmiri Pandits
Srinagar’s historic Sheetalnath Temple in the Habba Kadal area reopened after 36 years, with temple bells, Vedic chants and havan rituals marking the revival of the shrine that had remained closed amid decades of unrest in Kashmir.
The reopening brought together scores of Kashmiri Pandits who travelled from different parts of India. They were welcomed by local Kashmiri Muslims, in a gathering that highlighted the Valley’s shared cultural heritage and its long-standing tradition of Kashmiriyat.
The restoration of the temple was carried out by Srinagar Smart City Limited (SSCL) in coordination with the Jammu and Kashmir Department of Culture. TEMPLE RESTORED AFTER YEARS OF DAMAGE
The Sheetalnath complex was left neglected and suffered extensive damage, including from arson, after the mass migration of Kashmiri Pandits in 1990.
The restoration involved structural rebuilding of key parts of the complex, including the sanctum sanctorum and the havanshala. The revival has now allowed devotees to return to the shrine for prayers and religious ceremonies.
An earlier attempt was made to hold prayers at the temple during Basant Panchami in 2021, but severe structural damage had restricted public access. ANCIENT SHRINE OF KASHMIRI SHAIVISMThe temple holds an important place in Kashmiri Shaivism and is regarded as one of the ancient Ashta Bhairavs, the eight guardian deities traditionally associated with the protection of Srinagar.
Regional lore also links the site to sage Kashyapa and the mythological waters of Satisar, giving the shrine significance beyond its religious role.WHERE HINDU, MUSLIM CHILDREN STUDIED TOGETHER
Before 1990, the temple complex also housed primary and higher secondary schools where Hindu and Muslim children studied together.
The compound was also an important socio-political gathering place in the Valley during the 20th century. National leaders including Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Atal Bihari Vajpayee addressed gatherings at the site.PART OF WIDER HERITAGE RESTORATION
Officials said the restoration of Sheetalnath is part of a broader effort to preserve and restore historic places of worship across Jammu and Kashmir, including temples, Sufi shrines, gurdwaras and mosques that were damaged or neglected during years of unrest.
With the restoration complete, the reopening of Sheetalnath offers displaced Kashmiri Pandit families an opportunity to reconnect with a place tied to their ancestral and cultural history, while also reviving a historic site associated with the Valley’s pluralistic traditions.- Ends
