Sharda Mata at Gushi,
Kupwara
It is situated on
the bank of Kishanganga
(now in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir) famous throughout the
country before partition. This is considered as a
"Siddha Peetha" like Sharika Chakreshwar
temple at Hari Parbat. It was a place of learning
also and students as well as scholars from far off
places used to come here. Some monuments still
exist there.
Sharda
can be approached via Hoaihama (Kupwara) through
the Safawali Gali which leads to Lashadut and from
Laderwan (also in Kupwara) via Patukha Gali which
leads to Shalabhothu. Both Lashadut and
Shalabhothu are on the LOC. The Safawali route is
comparatively eaiser.
Across
the LOC, Pakistan has constructed a pucca,
metalled vehicular road on the right bank of the
Kishenganga. A regular passenger bus service plies
thereon. The bus plying on the road belongs to the
Abbotabad Kashmir Bus Service.
One
can go to Sharda by either these routes or from
Muzaffarabad or Teetwal which have bridges strong
enough for carrying vehicles across the river. The
journey by bus would obviously be comfortable. But
then the bridges and the whole of the vehicular
road are in Pakistan. So undetaking the journey is
dependent upon a request being made to Pakistan by
India and upon Pakistan granting the necessary
permission.
Source:
SaffronValley.com
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