Kashmir: Pervez Ahmed Sheikh keeps alive Bijbehara temple, communal harmony

Story by Ehsan Fazili | Posted by Aasha Khosa | Date 07-03-2025

Pervez Ahmed Sheikh (Left) with a local at the Vijaeshwara temple in Bijbehara, Kashmir (Pics by Ehsan Fazili)

Ehsan Fazili/Srinagar

A Muslim family has been taking care of a temple in Bijbehara town of Anantnag in South Kashmir for 35 years, since the eruption of armed militancy in Jammu and Kashmir, leading to the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from the valley.

Nestled in the apple orchards, Jaya Devi temple (Shakti Sathal of Mata Jaya Devi), overlooks the highway township in the backdrop of vast lush green paddy fields and orchards on the old Srinagar-Jammu national highway, about 45 km South of Srinagar. The National Highway 44 runs along the periphery of the town, known for two Chinar gardens- Padshahi Bagh and Dara Shakooh Park.

A link road from the highway leads to the spectacular landscape at the end of the Kareva Colony, where the temple is located. However, this is not the only temple here; the township is known for more such places, including an ancient one, Vijeshwara, and others like Harjee Lal temple. Some of these are also being taken care of by the local Muslims since the exodus of their Hindu neighbours in 1989-90.

Vijaeshwara temple in Bijbehara, South Kashmir

“We have been taking care of this (Jayadevi) temple ever since the responsibility was given to us”, Parvez Ahmad Sheikh, a resident told Awaz-The Voice near the temple.

He said that “as Muslims, it is our duty to look after the property of our neighbours,” who have reposed faith in their Muslim brethren. His father, Ghulam Nabi Sheikh, first took on this responsibility, which he has since retired from the J&K Government services.

Parvez Ahmad’s brother, Bilal Ahmad Sheikh also helped his father in looking after the temple during the early years of militancy. “Initially it was difficult (due to the general environment and strife), but gradually the situation started improving to the present level”, Bilal Ahmad said.

Kashmiri Pandits living inside the Valley and those in other parts of the country visit the temple on auspicious occasions like Duugra Ashtami and other festivals for praying.“They began visiting the temple on special occasions right from the time of mass migration”, Parvez Ahmad Sheikh said.

He says during occasions like Amarnath yatra, Navratri, Maha Shivratri and Raksha Bandhan 100-150 persons visit the temple.

Other temples in the town, located mainly on the left side of river Jhelum, are Ekadasha Rudra temple on Harish Chandra Ghat, and Shakti Sthal of Mata Vijaya Devi.

Deities inside the Jaya Devi temple of Bijbehara, Kashmir

Verinder Mohan Bhat of the Vijeshwar Devasthan Trust (formerly Devasthan Prabandhak Committee), told Awaz-The Voice over the phone from Jammu that Bijbehara town has been known as mini Kaashi (Varanasi) among the Hindus, particularly Kashmiri Pandits.

He said that the local Muslim family has been taking care of the Jaya Devi Mandir for all these years and is of great help to the devotees during festivals. The temple area is spread over more than six kanals of land that was fenced early last year after removing encroachments.

According to Kalhana in Rajatarangini,- a 5000-year-old document of Kashmir’s history - Bijbehara town was constructed by Raja Vijay Anand around the magnificent temple of Vijayshwara. The town draws its name from the temple.

The temple is also mentioned in historical documents like Neelmata Purana, Kalhana’s Rajtarangni, and Tareekh-e-Hassan of Peer Hassan Shah Khuihami.

The spruced up sanctum Sanctorum of the Temple of Jaya Devi at Bijbehara

Bejbehara town is also home to many Muslim shrines including the famous shrine of Baba Naseeb-ud-Din Gazi, a Sufi teacher, poet, and writer, a follower of the Suhrawardy order in Sufism.

The shrine is known for “Dhambali (A sufi dance)” on the annual Urs.

Meanwhile, Arde Nareshwar temple in Nadimarg village of the nearby Kulgam district in South Kashmir was reopened for devotees after almost 20 years, marking a significant spiritual and cultural event on October 5 last year.

The temple had been closed following the killing of 24 Hindus by terrorists on the night of March 23, 2003.

Devotees from across the areas of Shopian and Kulgam and some others from outside gathered in large numbers to offer prayers and celebrate this auspicious day and Murti Sthapna Puja was held with religious fervour at the temple on its opening early in October.

The Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kulgam, Athar Aamir Khan made a special visit to the temple and interacted with devotees and the temple authorities.

The Puja ceremony was held in a peaceful atmosphere with local Muslims welcoming the Hindus being present at the site of the prayers.

ALSO READ: Shami's family, clerics slam Jamaat President's remarks on India star

Khan said the Puja being held after 20 years marks the era of peace and prosperity in the Valley. Local communities and officials attended the ceremony.

Khan also visited the vacant homes of Kashmiri Pandits at Nadimarg and the adjoining areas.