Shankeracharya Hills (J&K), July 20: The 5000-year old black stone Shiva Temple, seat of Adi Shankaracharya in northern India, set against the picturesque backdrop of world famous Dal lake, awaits immediate restoration, as it has developed multiple cracks amid erosion during the last 13 years of militancy in J&K. Popularly known as Shankaracharya temple after the name of Adi Shankaracharya of Kashyapmeru "Kashmir peethum", the temple has developed 16 cracks on its unique architectured roof top and bewitching circumference due to utter negligence of Dharmarth Temple Trust (DTT) and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on repair and restoration front during the past one decade, Kashmiri Hindu Welfare Front (KHWF), president, Chaman Lal Koul told today.
"If this neglect on restoration front continues on the part of ASI and DTT, the seat of Shankaracharya (temple) will soon be a monument of the past only. Therefore, it needs immediate restoration," said J&K civil secretriat employee Koul, who has been visiting the temple regularly for the last 13 years of militancy in the valley.
"It pours heavily inside the temple. Besides rock erosion has taken place around hillock. Some big stones, which had become loosened had been replaced and iron reinforcement provided around the circumference stone a year ago. But that is not sufficient," priest of the temple, Om Prakash, said. Bureau Report