Shardha Peeth

Why in news?

• Union Home Minister said the government would move forward to open a corridor to the Sharda Peeth in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK) on the lines of the Kartarpur corridor.

About Shardha Peeth:

• Sharada Peeth is a ruined Hindu temple and ancient centre of learning located in the Neelum Valley of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir.
• It is situated along the Neelum River in the village of Sharda, in the valley of Mount Harmukh
• Al-Biruni recorded the place for the first time, as a revered shrine housing a wooden image of Sharda — however, he had never ventured into Kashmir and based his observations on hearsay
• Between the 6th and 12th centuries CE, it was among the most prominent temple universities in the Indian subcontinent.
• It played a key role in the development and popularisation of the Sharada script in North India, causing the script to be named after it, and Kashmir to acquire the moniker "Sharada Desh", meaning "country of Sharada".
• The reconstruction of Maa Sharda’s temple in Kupwara is a necessary and important step in the direction of discovery of Sharda-civilisation and promotion of Sharda-script.

Add ons:

• To know more about ‘Kartarpur Corridor’ please click here

PRACTICE QUESTION:

Sharada Peeth, a ruined Hindu temple and ancient centre of learning, is located in:

(a) Neelum Valley

(b) Mana Valley

(c) Thangu Valley

(d) Johar Valley

Answer