MUSLIMS OF RAINAWARI HELP IN REPAIRS OF OLD SHIVA TEMPLE

"Mr Parvaiz from Asian Age is coming today to see how Our muslim brethern from Rainawari are actually helping us in repairs of the old and historic shiva temple . Can you come over for half an hour ?" said a voice on the phone to me . It was Mr Bushan lal jalaji orginally a resident of Rainawari now associated with newly formed Shiv Ji temple Welfare committee Rainawari .

I was tempted to join him. In this Shiva Temple ( BOAD MANDHAR ), i had spent many memorable evenings sitting on the steps leading to the canal Ghat ( MAAR )and watching shikara laden tourist going to Nageen lake . Women , men . young girls and boys sitting on small roofless boats called DEMB NAAV would paddle their way with vegetable , household items or weeds of Dal Lake . Some would say "MEEMI Salaam " to women tourists in Shikaras . My friends from Rainawari especially Mohd Yaqoob Mir , Zahoor Shair ,Neelamber Mattoo ,Autar Krishen Jalali, Ashok Kaw and many more were always there sitting on steps of the Canal Ghat . we would also look at the beauty of the house owned by a Mattoo family just opposite the temple . Our seniors would tell us that the movie Ek Musaafir Ek Haseena was shot in this area only . In fact Joy Mukerjee had also visited the temple and given 100 rupee note to the pujari of the temple in those days.The water in the canal ( MAAR )near the temple was neat and clean at that time . I learnt my swimming in this canal ( MAAR ) only . Later i also saw Gopi nath Ji, noted singer, singing kashmiri songs and Bhajans in the temple compound in his Melodious voice. A good number of his listeners were local muslims .Pandit Pitamber Nath Ji ( Pitah Kaak )used to teach Bhahgwat Geeta to girls and and boys in one of the rooms of the temple. Muslim Boys would join the Janam Ashtami Celebrations of this temple .The inside walls of the temple had exquisite painted images of Shiva in various poses of TANDAVA. I was once told by late Sh Predimen Krishen Wattal of Rainawari that he personally saw Lata Mangeshkar visiting the temple on her way to Nageen lake ( in a Shikara) . Late Sh Sri Kanth kak ( I A S ) the then controller Tawaza and Director Tourism had also confirmed to me that V S Naipaul had also visited this temple in early sixties when he stayed in kashmir for about 6 months. In fact his novel cum Travelogue AREA OF DARKNESS is full about stories connected with this area of the city .Naipaul had met Kak Sahib twice for renewal of some permit of the House Boat owner from Dal Lake wherein he was staying . Kak sahib was younger brother of Late Radha krishen Kak Senior Journalist and special correspondent Indian Express. They lived in Naidyaar area of Rainawari and later Radha Krishen Ji had shiifted to Residency Road Quarters mostly occupied by Journalists in those days . My friend Aijaz ahmed had his wood Carving Shop cum showroom a little opposite the temple near the Jogi lanker bridge ( Gh Hassan And Sons, Manufacturers and Exporters of Quality Walnut Wood Carving Items ) .Rainawari had a pluralistic Society with residents well intermixed and interdependent sharing joys and sorrows of each another .

The temple gates have been opened after a gap of 20 long years . Mr Bushan lal Jalali , Mr Kishore Mattoo , Mr Maharaj Krishen Pandita , Mr B L chowdhary assisted by local Muslims of Rainawari are determined to put the temple in shape .

" Now that these young men from Rainawari have taken it to themselves to bring the old glory back to this temple , we shall help them in all possible ways " said Bashir Ahmed a local resident .

"We shall not allow them to stop the repairs work . The temple has to come to old glory " said Mohd subhan a shopkeeper of Rainawari.

"I also see that the labourers do their work sincerely as these Pandit brethern are employed and can not come daily to supervise the work. I have told them that they can come at their will. Inshallah old glory shall come to Rainawari."

said another shopkeeper .

" With the cooperation and support of our Muslim brethern from Rainawari , we believe that we shall complete the extensive repairs to this temple complex before the snow fall . Frankly speaking local shopkeepers are giving us liberal credit but they are to be repaid . we have acute shortage of funds. Donations from Pandits in srinagar are insufficient . We have opened an acount in SBI under no 30854632231 under the name and style of Shiv Ji Temple welfare committee Rainawari. We are now requesting every old resident of rainawari to help us out in this cause .I am personally thankful to the Muslim brethern of this area for their support . See for yourself how Happy they feel to see the repairs work progressing ." said Mr Busan lal Jalali an old resident of Rainawari and presently associated with this Temple welfare committee. Enjoy the views of this old temple undergoing repairs at present .

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