Srinagar’s Vichar Nag temple sees puja again, L-G says ‘revival serves as a historic bridge’
The revival of Srinagar's Vichar Nag temple marks a historic return for Kashmiri Pandits, reconnecting cultural heritage and community.
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Scores of Kashmiri Pandits attended the ceremony in an area that once hosted a number of Pandit families who had to leave their homeland due to militancy in the 1990s
Published - July 20, 2026 02:50 am IST - Srinagar
Vichar Nag temple. File | Photo Credit: The Hindu
A ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony was held at the historic Vichar Nag Temple in Srinagar on Sunday (July 20, 2026), once a hub of militancy.
Scores of Kashmiri Pandits attended the ceremony in an area that once hosted a number of Pandit families who had to leave their homeland due to militancy in the 1990s.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha visited the shrine and took stock of the renovation works.
“For millennia, this sacred temple has anchored India’s spiritual, intellectual, and philosophical journey. Its revival serves as a historic bridge, connecting our past, present, and future. It marks the return of a consciousness that, for centuries, nurtured an unbroken tradition of reflection, dialogue, and learning. Restoring Vichar Nag is a vital step toward preserving the rich, diverse cultural heritage of Jammu Kashmir,” Mr. Sinha said.
‘Vibrant hub of knowledge’
He said Vichar Nag holds a sacred place in the cultural and spiritual heritage of Jammu and Kashmir. “The revival of this historic site, once a vibrant hub of knowledge where scholars from across the globe gathered for intellectual discourse, is deeply gratifying,” Mr. Sinha said.
After a long hiatus, devotees gathered at the shrine to perform yajna and havan.
The Lieutenant-Governor was accompanied by Rajiv Pandey, Deputy Inspector General; Akshay Labroo, Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar; and Dr. G.V. Sundeep Chakravarthy, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Srinagar.
The Vishwa Kashmiri Samaj (VKS), a Pandit body, praised the restoration and development work at the temple complex.
Published - July 20, 2026 02:50 am IST
religion and belief / culture (general)
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