Coming close on the heels of the opening of Kartarpur corridor to the Sikh shrine of Darbar Sahib in Pakistan, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader Mehbooba Mufti has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take steps for the opening of a pilgrimage route to the ancient Hindu temple of Sharada Peeth in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK).

Citing her meeting with representatives from the Kashmiri Pandit community, she said they had requested her to plead the case for the opening of a route for pilgrims to visit the ancient temple, which now lies abandoned.

“I am sure you would kindly have this request considered on priority. Though this measure will be specific to the Pandit community, I have no doubt it will be welcomed by every citizen of the state and would considerably help in addressing the feeling of despondency in a major section of population”, Mufti stated in her letter.

Sharada Peeth is a renowned historical centre of Hindu learning located along the Kishanganga river (known as Neelum river in Pakistan), hosting such legendary names as Kalhana, Adi Shankara, Vairotsana, among others. Panini is also claimed to have completed his works on Sanskrit grammar at the famous temple.