Kulgam, like other parts of Jammu Kashmir is a harmonious district that is known for its Hindu-Muslim brotherhood, and there are many hindu temples in the district. Especially the Kheer Bhawani temple. Mata Tripursundri (in Devsar) and Mata Kheerbhawani (in Manzgam), both the temples are dedicated to Goddess Kheer Bhawani in Kulgam itself. Three more temples dedicated to the goddess are located in the state. The Annual fair of Zeshta Ashtami festival, usually celebrated around May - June.
This festival is not only a way to showcase the secular fabric of Jammu Kashmir, but a perfect example of Kashmiri culture. During the festival, Muslim locals set up stalls outside the temples so devotees can buy milk, sugar, flowers and other things required to offer the Goddess. So, today, in the fourth compilation of the series of “Destruction of Hindu Temples in Jammu Kashmir,” we continue to bring you more temples that were vandalised by fundamentalists and people with extremist Islamic psychology.
The temples, belonging to Hindu faith, were targeted for a reason, and were done as to execute a thoughtful conspiracy to conduct ethnic cleansing of the valley from across the border. Following are four more temples that were mercilessly destroyed in Kulgam district.
Temples, belonging to Hindu faith, were targeted to execute a thoughtful conspiracy and conduct ethnic cleansing of the valley
Attack on Kheer Bhawani Temple - Terrorists and miscreats from across the border have targeted the Kheer Bhawani temples by throwing stones and using loudspeakers of Mosques around the temples to threaten the hindu devotees.
Manzgam Temple - It was a temple consecrated to the goddess Ragnya. The idol in the pond is desecrated and looted. The Dharamshalla with two storeys is completely gutted. The G.I.E. sheets are looted. The Dharmashalla was so capacious that it could accommodate 5,000 pilgrims at a time. The walnut trees and poplars growing within the tracts of land measuring 100 kanals have been felled and looted. Small wooden chowkies and huts have also been looted and burnt. In 1990, the temple of Mata Kheer Bhawani (goddess Ragnya) was attacked as terrorists, exploded a bomb and killed a priest by slitting his throat, although it was rebuilt later.
Temples in Mirhama - The Shiva Temple standing by the road-side is burnt. Another temple built by the Dogra Rajputs has also been set ablaze.
Arrh Temples - The temple standing opposite to the Boys High Schools, Arrh is burnt to ashes. Another Shiva Temple standing in the midst of the habitation has met the same fate. The foundations of another temple had been laid. The plinth that was laid out has been dug out and materials looted by the Islamic looters.
Arrh is burnt to ashes and another Shiva Temple standing in the midst of the habitation has met the same fate
Temple in Batsargam - It was a replica of the Kulavaghishwari Temple of Kulgam. The wall around the temple has been dismantled and materials looted. G.I.E. sheets are also looted. The two storeyed Dharamshalla is burnt and destroyed. Chinars and walnut trees growing within the temple lands measuring 9-1/2 kanals have been felled and looted. The assets of the temple are also looted.The Muslim government of Krishna Rao proved shameless bysanctioning an ex-gratia grant of Rs. 3000/- which has been refused outright in viewof the enormous losses suffered by the Kashmiri Pandits.
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