Restoration work at Srinagar’s Vachar Nag Temple begins

Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Chief Secretary Atal Dullu and Srinagar Deputy Commissioner Akshay Labroo on Saturday (July 19, 2025) initiated the restoration and rebuilding work at the historically revered Vachar Nag Temple in Srinagar.

The temple was abandoned in the 1990s when Kashmiri Pandits left the Valley in the wake of rising militancy in the Kashmir valley.

The Chief Secretary, while reviewing different project components at the site, directed the officers to execute the work at a fast pace, strictly adhering to the set timelines and quality standards as envisioned under the project guidelines.

He emphasised that the work was aimed at restoring the temple’s centuries-old past glory and preserving its cultural and architectural legacy.

Mr. Dullu said the temple held significant historical, cultural and religious importance, reflecting Kashmir’s diverse cultural society. He said the renovation work would revive and preserve the temple’s aesthetic, heritage and social values.

The public, particularly members of the Pandit community from various parts of the country, participated in the event to initiate to restoration work and sought blessings from Shri Vachar Sahab.

Earlier, the Chief Secretary was apprised that the work on the project is being executed by R&B Srinagar at a cost of ₹4.58 crore, which included conservation and restoration of the main temple structure, earth filling around the temple precincts to restore the site’s original topography, construction of an entry gate to provide a formal and aesthetic look, construction of a toilet block, and desilting of the egress channel up to Gilsar Lake to be undertaken by the Irrigation and Flood Control Department.

“This restoration marks an important milestone in the preservation of Kashmir’s rich religious and cultural heritage, and the community looks forward to the completion of the project with great reverence,” Amit Raina, a member of the Zaara Foundation, said.

The Vishwa Hindu Samaj and the Zaara Foundation welcomed the beginning of the restoration and rebuilding work at the temple.

Mr. Labroo, who has identified, revived and restored scores of temples as the Deputy Commissioner of Budgam before, personally toured the Vachar Nag temple and took stock of the work.

Mr. Raina described the initiative as “a significant step to revive an important spiritual and cultural landmark”.

In 2024, former Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatreya played a pivotal role in ensuring the start of the restoration efforts. He visited the temple site, once considered a hub of militancy in the old city of Srinagar. He had assured Hindu devotees of his commitment to support the temple’s restoration.

Meanwhile, Mr. Raina thanked J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha for his personal interest and involvement in facilitating the grant necessary for the temple’s renovation.