Srinagar, Oct 03: After three decades the prayers reverberated at the century-old Ganesh Temple in Razdan Mohalla Handwara on Monday. At the inaugural function, the devotees from various parts of the country paid reverence at the temple.
Speaking to Rising Kashmir, President Sanatan Dharam Sabha Handwara, Ashok Kumar stated that the temple was damaged three decades ago and after arduous efforts, it has been restored.
Expressing gratitude to the locals, Kumar said, “The Muslims who executed the work for the renovation of this temple refused to take wages and did all the work free of cost,” which was a great gift by the Muslim community living in the locality.
He said that after 33 years, the previous glory of the temple was restored by renovating and installing the new Shiv lingum after replacing the old, damaged idols. The new idols were brought from Jodhpur.
“The people living in the locality helped us in restoring this century-old temple,” adding that without the locals’ support, the restoration of this temple was never easy. It was never easy to come from Jammu and execute the renovation work here all by over selves.
“The Muslim brothers living in the locality, including the local Molvi, were also coming to this site and were suggesting its restoration,” Kumar added.
According to the locals, “It was abandoned for a very long time. But now that prayers will once more be said here, we are glad. It will make community relationships between faiths stronger. This location appeared to be abandoned because of the shrubs and creepers around it. We are excited that it will be vibrant once more.
According to Kumar, before executing the restoration of this temple, we met the locals here and sought their help in restoring the temple. The members of the group agreed to help in restoring the 100-year-old temple.
Kumar said that during the renovation process, the local administration helped us and also provided every help when needed. He went on to say that they also urged the local police to provide police protection for this newly renovated temple.
“The police have asked us to forward an application for police protection, and we are hopeful that the cops will be deployed for its safety soon,” the president said.
