Sharda, Azad Kashmir

Sharda
Town
Sharda
Coordinates: 34°47′35″N 74°11′19″E / 34.79306°N 74.18861°ECoordinates: 34°47′35″N 74°11′19″E / 34.79306°N 74.18861°E
Country  Pakistan
State Azad Kashmir
District Neelam
Languages
  Official Urdu
Time zone PST

Sharda (Sanskrit: शारदा) (Urdu: شاردا ) (Also known as Shardi ) is a small town in Neelam District in Azad Kashmir, Pakistan. It is one of the two tehsils of Neelum district, and is reputed to be the most beautiful spot of the Neelum valley. It is located on the banks of the Neelum river at an altitude of 1981m, about 136 kilometers Northeast of Muzaffarabad.

The ruins of the famous temple and Hindu pilgrimage site Sharada Peeth, dedicated to the goddess Sharada who represents learning, is situated in this town. Other historical sites in the town include the Sharda fort, and Kishan Ghaati. Sharda and Nardi are two mountain peaks overlooking Sharda in the valley. It was a Buddhist and Hindu place of learning for centuries. The Sharada script was developed here in the 9th century.[1]

Sharda is accessible by Neelam road from Muzaffarabad. Buses run daily between Muzaffarabad and Sharda in good weather. The town has a rest house and a youth hostel of AJK Tourism and Archeology Department for tourists stay. Few private hotels are also located here.

See also

External links

References

  1. Deambi, B. K. Kaul. "The Sharada Script: Origin and Development". koausa.org. Retrieved 27 July 2012.