After decades of displacement, Kashmiri Pandits lay Ram Temple foundation in Shopian

Hundreds of members of the Pandit community gathered at the site and performed a traditional religious ritual before the temple's foundation stone was laid.Kashmiri Pandits laid foundation of Ram Temple in ShophianAfter decades of displacement, Kashmiri Pandits on Saturday laid the foundation stone for a Ram Temple at a historic site in Tak Mohalla, Shopian, in Jammu and Kashmir.Hundreds of members of the Pandit community gathered at the site and performed a traditional religious ritual before the temple's foundation stone was laid.The shrine at the site was set on fire in 1989. The land was subsequently encroached upon, according to the information available. Following efforts by the administration and concerned authorities, the land has now been reclaimed, and construction of the temple is set to begin.The Department of Archaeology and Heritage has sanctioned funds for the construction of the temple under its heritage conservation initiative. The project is aimed at restoring the religious site at its historic location. The foundation-laying ceremony was attended by members of the Kashmiri Pandit community as well as the locals. Community members said the reconstruction of the temple would help restore a religious site associated with Kashmiri Pandits and their historical presence in Shopian.The residents also welcomed the development, describing Kashmiri Pandits as an integral part of Kashmir's cultural and historical heritage. The temple project comes after years of efforts to reclaim the site and facilitate the revival of the shrine that was damaged in 1989.- EndsPublished By: Akash ChatterjeePublished On: Aug 30, 2026 00:04 IST