NEW DELHI, Mar 22: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday e-inaugurated the Mata Sharda Devi temple near the Line of Control (LoC) in Karnah sector of Jammu and Kashmir, saying the abrogation of Article 370 is taking the Union Territory back to its old traditions, culture and the “Ganga-Jamuna Tehzeeb”.
Shah said the opening of the temple was the beginning of the new dawn and quest for reviving the Sharda culture.
“The Mata Sharda Mandir is being thrown open for devotees on the auspicious occasion of our new year. This is a good omen for the devotees across the country. Mata Sharda’s blessing will now remain over the whole country for the centuries to come,” he said in his speech.
The Union minister lamented that he could not be physically present at the place, but promised to visit the temple on his next tour to J and K.
“Whenever I will visit Jammu and Kashmir, I will start my visit by bowing at the Mata Sharda Devi temple,” he said.
Shah said this was the beginning of a new dawn which has been made possible by the blessings of Mata Sharda Devi and by the joint efforts of the people including civil society on both sides of the Line of Control.
“I convey my best wishes and gratitude to Save Sharda Committee president Ravinder Pandita for struggle over so many years which has now borne fruit…This step is not just the renovation of a temple, but the beginning of the quest for reviving Sharda culture,” he said.