Anantnag (Jammu and Kashmir)15 July, 2005: The six hundred-year-old
Tripur Sundari temple, dedicated to the Goddess Durga in Devasar in
Anantnag district, which was lying in a neglected state for the last
15 years, is being restored by local Muslim residents of the area.

The pundits of the area migrated from the region following a
mysterious fire. But now people belonging to Muslim community have
pooled in the resources for its original structure.They fondly
recall the days when both the communities -- Hindus and Muslim --
resided peacefully in the valley.

"Everyone who visits the temple also takes care of its maintenance,"
said Ghulam Nabi, a resident. "We greatly respect the Goddess.
Moreover, the villagers hold this temple in high regard. We will
maintain the temple till the time our Hindu brothers return to the
region."

Another resident, Shabir Ahmad, said, "We come early in the morning
and see whatever is there to be done. We clean the place. We do face
problem in bringing water here to clean it. But, we do try our best
to keep it as clean as possible."

The people here are also awaiting the return of pre-1987 period when
peace and harmony prevailed in this region.

"We are happy here cleaning the temple. And are hopeful that our
pundit brothers, who have left us, would soon join us," said Syed
Shafi, a resident.

The temple bears the brunt of time and needs proper renovation. The
locals say that the Government should pitch in to supplement their
efforts and fully restore the temple to its original glory.

Situated at a distance of 55 kms. of the south east of Srinagar,
Anantnag is spread over an area of 3984 Sq. Kms. with a population
of 11.70 lacs as it stood in 2001.

The Anantnag is gateway of the Kashmir Valley also called as the
granary of Kashmir, for it's agriculturally very fertile. The
district is predominantly rural and situated at an average height of
1,700 meters above sea-level. The people of the district are mostly
engaged in agriculture, principal crops being Rice and Maize. The
district comprises 5 tehsils and 12 community development blocks.

The district is not only the Bread Bowl of the Valley,it is equally
rich in landscape.The nature has been bountiful enough in gifting
the district with places of unparallel beauty,important among these
are: Pahalgam, Acchabal, Kokernag, Verinag, Daksum. (ANI)

SOURCE: New Kerala
URL: http://www.newkerala.com/news.php?ac...llnews&id=6883