Sharda, Azad Kashmir


Sharda is a small town in Neelam District in Azad Kashmir, Pakistan. It is one of the two tehsils of Neelum district. It is located on the banks of the Neelum river at an altitude of 1981m, about 43 kilometres from Keran

Etymology & Historical Sites

Sharda, or Sharadha derives from the name of the Hindu goddess Saraswati. Kashmir was referred to as the land of Sharada, or Sharada Desh, before its conversion to Islam.
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. Philosophers like Aadhi Shankaracharya and Ramanujacharya used Shrada Peeth Library for their philosophy works. The library carried some rare books of Hinduism. Ramanujacharya used a book called badarayana's vedanta sutra from this library to write his philosophy on sri bhasya.

Nearby locations

Shardi and Nardi are the two mountain peaks overlooking the valley, named after legendary princesses Sharda & Narda. Over the right bank, opposite to Sharda, the river Neelum is joined by the Surgan Nullah along which a track leads to the Noori Nar Pass and through it to Kaghan Valley. One can enjoy boating and jet ski there. Surgan, Maidaan, Kishan Ghatti, Sharda Temple are places to visit in Sharda.

Gallery