On Sunday (14th July), the ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Uma Bhagwati was reopened after a long gap of 34 years. The temple is located at Brari Aangan in the Shangus area in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district. Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai was present during the ceremony to reopen the temple.
#JammuAndKashmir: Uma Bhagwati temple reopened for devotees in south Kashmir's Anantnag after 34 years.
— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) July 15, 2024
Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai threw open the temple for devotees at Brari Aangan in Shangus area of Anantnag. pic.twitter.com/yVXPUGe8e9
Union MoS Sh. @nityanandraibjp inaugurated Uma Bhagwati Temple at Brariangan, Anantnag in Kashmir pic.twitter.com/YVHZjVnNZR
— BJP Jammu & Kashmir (@BJP4JnK) July 15, 2024
After the outbreak of terrorism in the Kashmir valley in the late 1980s, the temple was vandalised. The inauguration ceremony was held after the completion of restoration work at the Mandir.
Devotees in large numbers, especially Kashmiri Pandits, were present on the occasion to pay obeisance to Goddess Uma Bhagwati and seek darshan of the deity. The ceremony was attended by a large number of devotees who came from different parts of the Union territory.
During the ceremony, an idol of Goddess Uma Bhagwati was placed in the sanctum sanctorum amid the chanting of religious hymns. The idol was brought from Rajasthan.
Temple of Devi #Parvati also know an as #Uma #Bhagwati opened in south #Kashmir after 34 years. #Kashmirihindus prayed for the welfare of humanity and nation.
— 𑆱𑆶𑆤𑆵𑆬 𑆫𑆽𑆤𑆳 𑆫𑆳𑆘𑆳𑆤𑆑 (Sunil Rajanaka) (@Sunilraina10) July 14, 2024
Video https://t.co/xFSN99IdWa@narendramodi @AmitShah @OfficeOfLGJandK @BattaKashmiri @davidfrawleyved @subhash_kak pic.twitter.com/1p9DiaAHfg
It is so heart-warming to see that the ancient temple of Goddess Uma Bhagwati in Brariangan of my home district, Anantnag in Kashmir, has been restored and is thrown open for devotees today, on July 14. I have so many fond memories of going to the temple with the whole clan and… pic.twitter.com/dzdfYO2bri
— Aarti Tikoo Singh (@AartiTikoo) July 14, 2024
Addressing the gathering of devotees, MoS Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai expressed confidence that a large number of devotees shall visit the temple after its re-opening.
He said that the government’s commitment towards a developed Jammu & Kashmir and the UT’s own syncretic culture shall go a long way to develop J&K into a prosperous and peaceful region.
Uma Bhagwati temple reopened in presence of Union Minister Nityanand Rai after 30 years in #Anantnag#JammuAndKashmi pic.twitter.com/5ngAx7piTh
— Take One (@takeonedigital) July 14, 2024
During his address, he reiterated the Modi government’s zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism. Rai said, “This is PM Modi’s India. Either you (terrorists) will go to hell, or you will be buried 7 feet below the ground. Choose yourself what you accept. You either go to India’s jail or dedicate your life to a good cause. India is now living with a zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism.”
At the ceremony, Minister Rai was accompanied by Anantnag Deputy Commissioner Syeed Fakhrudin Hamid, Senior Superintendent of Police G V Sandeep Chakravarthy, and officers from the district administration. Functionaries of Uma Bhagwati Asthapan Trust were also present at the event.
The deputy commissioner assured that the administration would provide all support to the devotees to facilitate their visit to the shrine.
It is pertinent to note that the Uma Bhagwati Mandir at Brariangan is an ancient temple. Before terrorism in Kashmir, devotees used to come in large numbers from different parts of the erstwhile state to pay obeisance to the goddess and seek darshan of the deity.
The Mandir is located amidst five springs. These five springs include Brahma Kund, Vishnu Kund, Rudhra Kund, and Shiv Shakti Kund.
