RUINS OF SHARDA PEETH: ABANDONED TEMPLE WITH GREAT HISTORY.

A small town in Neelam District in Azad Kashmir, Sharda; is also known as Shardi. The town is located on the banks of Neelam River at a height of 1981m exactly 6499 ft. Sharda Peeth is a deserted Hindu temple in the territory of Pakistan Azad Kashmir. The name Sharda Peeth is associated with the ruins of a well-known Hindu pilgrimage site and temple Sharda Peeth named after the Hindu goddess of knowledge Saraswati, also named Sharda. The goddess of knowledge Saraswati along with her people migrated here when the great river dried. The temple; is dedicated to the goddess Sharda. The Sharda Peeth temple is significantly very important for the Hindus. Sharda; is linked with several other shrines over the subcontinent.

Surrounded by heavy forests and snow-capped Himalayas Sharda Peeth holds a quiet, calm, and scenic view. The place itself is so beautiful and the surrounding river adds more beauty to this place. The green mountains and clear water of the Neelam River will leave you mesmerized. The entrance is through 63 stairs eventually leading to the shrine. In October 2005, the temple was severely dilapidated due to the earthquake.

Sharda Peeth is a stunning place and has great religious importance for Hindus and Sikhs. However, the border differences between India and Pakistan has deprived the Hindus to visit this temple. Some of the great hotels near Sharda Peeth include Wadi Resort, Shangrila Sharda Resort, Sharda Highland Hotel, Neelam Valley Hotels, and Sharda Resort. The average cost for a day and night stay in Shangrila Sharda Resort is 40 US Dollars.