Sharada Peeth, located in the Kishanganga Valley of Pakistan Occupied Territory of Kashmir, near the Line of Control (LoC), is a ruined Hindu temple and ancient center of learning with profound historical, cultural, and spiritual significance. Situated approximately 150 km from Muzaffarabad and 130 km from Srinagar, at an altitude of 1,981 meters along the Kishanganga River, it lies in the village of Sharda, near Mount Harmukh, believed by Kashmiri Pandits to be the abode of Lord Shiva. Named after Goddess Sharada (Saraswati), the Goddess of wisdom, it is one of the 18 Maha Shakti Peethas, where the right hand of Goddess Sati is said to have fallen. Below is a comprehensive description of Sharada Peeth, covering its historical, architectural, cultural, and spiritual dimensions.

Historical Background

The origins of Sharada Peeth are debated, with various accounts suggesting different timelines:

• Early Theories: Some sources claim it was established around 237 BCE during Emperor Ashoka’s reign, potentially predating Takshashila and Nalanda, making it one of India’s earliest centers of learning.
• Kushan Period: Other accounts suggest construction during the Kushan Empire (1st century CE)
• Lalitaditya Muktapida: Many historians attribute its establishment or significant enhancement to Kashmiri king Lalitaditya Muktapida (724–760 CE), given his reputation for constructing grand temples.
• Gradual Development: A third perspective posits that Sharada Peeth evolved in stages, starting as a temple and growing into a major educational institution over centuries.

Between the 6th and 12th centuries CE, Sharada Peeth was among the most prominent temple-universities in the Indian subcontinent, rivaling Nalanda and Takshashila. It attracted scholars from Greece, Mesopotamia, Central Asia, Tibet, and China, housing over 5,000 scholars and the largest library of its time. It was a hub for Vedic studies, philosophy, grammar, astronomy, mathematics, logic, and Advaita Vedanta, with notable scholars like Adi Shankaracharya, Kalhana (author of Rajatarangini), Kumarajiva, and Thonmi Sambhota associated with it.

The institution declined after the 12th century due to invasions, notably by Sikandar Butshikan (1389–1413), who destroyed many Hindu Temples 🛕 and other ancient sites. The final blow came during the 1947 partition, when tribal invasions and the division of Kashmir left Sharada Peeth in illegally occupied territory of Kashmir by Pakistan , rendering it inaccessible to Indian pilgrims and leading to its abandonment.

Architectural Features

Sharada Peeth exemplifies Kashmiri architecture, constructed with red sandstone on a raised plinth (24 square feet, 5.25 feet high). The temple complex includes:

• Main Shrine (Cella): A simple design with a plain conical spire, now roofless due to decay. The cella walls recede 2 feet from the plinth’s edge, adorned with trefoil arches and pilasters in high relief, and trefoil-headed niches with double pediments below.
• Quadrangle: The temple is enclosed by a quadrangle (142 feet by 94 feet) with walls 11 feet high and 6 feet wide, approached by an imposing stone staircase on the west side.
• Dimensions and Condition: Late 19th-century accounts by archaeologist Aurel Stein describe intact walls up to 20 feet and pillars rising 16 feet. By the 21st century, the temple is in ruins, with no roof and significant deterioration, exacerbated by earthquakes and neglect. Valuable artifacts, like the Seri Chakra slab, have been lost.
• Location and Setting: Positioned at the confluence of the Kishanganga ( Hints and Madhumati rivers, near the sacred Mount Harmukh and Narda peak, the site’s natural beauty enhances its spiritual ambiance.

The architectural style resembles the Martand Sun Temple, suggesting a shared regional tradition. Despite its current state, the intricate carvings and sculptures reflect its past grandeur.

Spiritual and Cultural Significance

Sharada Peeth is a Maha Shakti Peetha, revered as the spiritual abode of Goddess Sharada (Saraswati), embodying knowledge, education, and speech. It is one of the three holiest pilgrimage sites for Kashmiri Pandits, alongside the Martand Sun Temple and the Amarnath Temple. The temple’s association with Saraswati, also known as Sharada, Vagdevi, or Kashmira-Puravasini, underscores its role as a symbol of intellectual and spiritual unity in Hinduism. It is believed to embody three forms of Shakti: Sharada (education), Saraswati (knowledge), and Vagdevi (speech). The site’s mythology includes legends of Sharada and Narada, two sisters who ruled the world, or a giant building a palace for a princess, explaining the temple’s incomplete roof.

Sharada Peeth was a confluence of diverse spiritual traditions, welcoming Hindu scholars and other Indic religions. It played a pivotal role in the development and popularization of the Sharada script, which earned Kashmir the title “Sharada Desh” (Country of Sharada). The script, used for Sanskrit and other languages, became synonymous with the institution, though it likely did not originate there.

Historically, the temple was a major pilgrimage site by the 8th century, attracting devotees from as far as Bengal, and by the 11th century, it was listed among the most revered Hindu temples in Al-Biruni’s chronicle of India, alongside the Somnath and Multan Sun Temples. Notable visits include Adi Shankaracharya, who sought validation for his Advaita Vedanta philosophy, and Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin in 1422 CE, who sought a vision of the goddess.

Educational Legacy

Sharada Peeth was a leading center of learning from the Vedic era to the 12th century, often compared to Nalanda and Takshashila. Its vast library housed texts by scholars like Panini, and it educated thousands in subjects such as:

• Vedic literature and grammar
• Philosophy (including Advaita Vedanta)
• Astronomy and mathematics
• Buddhist and Hindu religious studies
• Logic and structural science

The presence of scholars like Kalhana, who wrote Rajatarangini, and Thonmi Sambhota, creator of the Tibetan script, highlights its intellectual influence. Some historians question its status as a university due to the lack of extensive ruins, but this is countered by the region’s earthquake-prone nature and the reuse of debris for other constructions.

Current Status and Challenges

Today, Sharada Peeth lies in ruins, inaccessible to Indian pilgrims since the 1947 partition, when it became part of Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The temple was further damaged during tribal invasions and has suffered from neglect, with its structures deteriorating and artifacts lost. The poor condition of the approach road adds to the difficulty of visiting the site.

Efforts to revive its legacy include the reconstruction of the Sharda Devi Temple in Teetwal, Kupwara, near the LoC, inaugurated by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on March 22, 2023. This temple, built with support from the Sringeri Mutt, serves as a symbolic continuation of the original site’s spiritual tradition. There have been calls for a Kartarpur-style corridor to allow Indian pilgrims to visit Sharada Peeth, with discussions ongoing between India and Pakistan, though no final decision has been made.

Modern Efforts and Revival

The Save Sharda Committee, comprising diverse local members, has been instrumental in restoring the Teetwal temple and advocating for the revival of the Sharada Peeth pilgrimage. The committee aims to preserve the site’s heritage and explore the “Sharda civilization.” The Indian government has expressed interest in opening a corridor to the original site, reflecting its cultural and religious significance.

Conclusion

Sharada Peeth stands as a testament to India’s ancient intellectual and spiritual heritage, blending the roles of a temple and a university. Its historical significance as a center of learning, its architectural grandeur, and its spiritual importance as a Maha Shakti Peetha make it a unique cultural landmark. Despite its current state of ruin and inaccessibility, efforts to restore its legacy through the Teetwal temple and potential pilgrimage corridors highlight its enduring relevance. Sharada Peeth remains a symbol of unity in diversity, embodying the confluence of knowledge, spirituality, and culture in ancient India.