Restoration of the seven hundred-year-old Mangleshwar Bhairav Temple, which was closed due to the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits and damaged by the devastating floods in 2014, is underway. Located in the Baba Demb area of Srinagar, this temple holds great importance in the Kashmiri Pandit community.
Now on the instructions of the State Administration, the Archaeological Department is working to restore this temple to its old form. This work is being done by local Muslim artisans. The restoration work of the temple started in June 2022 at a cost of 1.62 crores, which is expected to be completed by April.
Basir Ahmed-Bashir Ahmed said that the people here are happy with the construction of this ancient temple. The people here want to hear the azaan of the mosque and the echo of the temple bells together again. Kashmiri Pandits left here after the 90s. Now we request them to come here again.
Khatamband technic-Mangleshwar Bhairav Temple
Significantly, to make this temple on ancient lines, the famous wooden work of Kashmir is being done. There are also two sacred trees in this temple, which have not been removed. According to Bashir Ahmed, the artisan who does the traditional work of Khatamband, he has been associated with this work for a long time. It is a great pleasure to do work in such places of worship. He has done this work in many mosques as well as in temples and gurudwaras.
Basheer told that this art (khatamband) was brought by Islamic saint Mir Syed Ali Hamdani (RA)
2014 Flood
R&B Department Supervisor Gulzar Ahmed said that this work has been entrusted to the Archaeological Department. This temple is 700 years old and was in a dilapidated condition after the 2014 floods. Now this temple is being rebuilt on the same lines as it was before. Same finished, same hot lime etc. are being used. This work will end by April 31.
The faith of lakhs of people was attached to this temple. Others have also come to us today to say they want to pray… We are confident that individuals from all around the country will attend in huge numbers. Shaivism and Sufism are well-known in Kashmir. These traditions have been blended. This temple, I believe, is a cornerstone of that fusion.
