After 21 years, Murti Asthapana ceremony held at Nadimarg’s Arde Nareshwar temple

Kulgam/Shopian, Oct5:
For the first time in over two decades, the historic ArdeNareshwar Temple in Nadimarg village, located at the border of Kulgam and Shopian districts, reopened on Saturday, marking a significant spiritual and cultural event for the Kashmiri Pandit community. The reopening follows the tragic Nadimarg massacre of 2003, where 24 Kashmiri Pandits lost their lives in a terrorist attack.
The temple, which had remained shut since the massacre, hosted the MurtiAsthapana (idol installation) ceremony and special prayers (Puja) after 21 years. Devotees from across Jammu and Kashmir, including families who once resided in Nadimarg, gathered in large numbers for the ceremony, which began with a havan on Friday and culminated on Sunday with the installation of the idol.
Deputy Commissioners of Kulgam, AtharAamir Khan, and Shopian, Mohammad ShahidSaleem Dar, visited the temple to oversee arrangements and interact with the attendees. They assured the devotees of continued administrative support for the upkeep of the temple and the overall welfare of the community.
BushalLal, 50, a Kashmiri Pandit who traveled from Jammu to attend the ceremony, expressed his joy at returning to his ancestral village after such a long gap. “I used to live in Nadimarg, where around 40 to 50 families once resided. After the massacre in 2003, no family remained in the village,” he said, recalling the trauma of that period. “But today, performing the Puja after 21 years fills me with immense happiness.”
Similarly, BhushanLalPandit, 61, another devotee, highlighted the temple’s historical significance, noting that it once housed a prized black stone Shivling. Despite the absence of families in the village, Pandit emphasized that the community’s connection to the temple had remained strong over the years. “We had to install the idol through a proper ceremony. The support from the administration and local communities made this possible,” he said, adding that the establishment of a community center in the village would help keep future generations connected to their roots.
Deputy Commissioner Kulgam, AtharAamir Khan, took to social media, expressing his satisfaction with the event. “It was a pleasure to join our local Kashmiri Pandit brethren at the ArdeNareshwar Temple in Nadimarg, which reopened today after around two decades,” he posted on X (formerly Twitter).
In a show of communal harmony, local Muslims from the village also participated in the ceremony, welcoming the Kashmiri Pandits and joining hands to ensure the Puja proceeded peacefully. Deputy Commissioner Shopian, Mohammad ShahidSaleem Dar, praised this spirit of brotherhood, stating, “This marks the beginning of an era of peace and prosperity.”
During his visit, DC Shopian also reviewed the vacant homes of Kashmiri Pandits in Nadimarg and listened to the concerns of the returning community. Devotees raised demands for the establishment of a community hall or YatraBhawan to facilitate future religious gatherings and help preserve the cultural heritage of the village. Both DCs assured the community that their requests would be addressed promptly.
Proper security measures were in place throughout the ceremony, with additional district officials, including Additional Deputy Commissioner ShopianDr.ZakirHussainFaaz and SDM Nissar Ahmad Wani, monitoring the event. Essential services were provided to ensure the safety and comfort of the devotees.
Vicky Bhat, another devotee attending the Puja, shared his excitement about witnessing the revival of religious practices in Nadimarg. “After more than 20 years, the Puja has resumed at the temple, and it fills me with immense happiness to see this,” he said, echoing the sentiment of many in the community who hope this marks a new chapter for the village.
The district administration has also prioritized developmental projects in the area, including the construction of a road from Katapora to Nadimarg, to improve access to the temple and other essential services for devotees.