Imran Boniyari
While Jammu and Kashmir is known for the gorgeous valleys, pristine landscaped surrounding, beautiful lakes, and lush meadows, there’s a whole unexplored religious side to it as well.
There are various shrines in Jammu and Kashmir that hold huge importance not only in terms of religious sentiments but also in historical and social perspective.
For example, Baramulla and its nearby locality itself is worth exploring inch by inch just spending a bit of time and effort.
One of the most interesting attractions here is the religious excursion of the Muslim community, known as ‘Serthani’ or ‘Sherthani’.
Just 32 km away from Baramulla town, it is located in the hills of village Bernate of Boniyar Tehsil, which is just a few miles away from Baramulla.
This pilgrimage is built here by some Muslim travelers and devotees who were representing the idea of Sufism. The place offers fresh air along with a marvelous view of nature and a kitchen for traditional Kashmiri cuisine called Wazwan.
The place often seeks the attention of nature-loving people. Many social media influencers have promoted the place through the social media platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook.
In spite of being beautiful, given the natural atmosphere, this place lacks the basic facilitates.
Visitors have to walk approximately 10 Km by foot from hilly areas because the road connectivity hasn’t been ensured yet. Shrine Committee have somehow managed to get water and electricity through the donations of last 12 years made by the visitors who had paid homage there.
It has been 7 years since the present BJP government came to power. Along with this, the slogan of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan has also become seven years old.
Funds are being released in the name of 20 years old scheme of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana but the situation is not improving.
The government which often represents Kashmir as the nose of the country and shows its concern about the situation in Kashmir does not even care about the question that whether the Kashmiri people are getting basic amenities or not.
There are many such monuments throughout Kashmir, which not only have historical values but also have sociological importance. The government has been reluctant to give them protection.
A local resident Ali Akbar Sood (48), while expressing his deep sorrow and anguish to the administration told The Kashmiriyat, “This shrine is very beautiful and has a omnipotent significance to all muslims. Tourists from all across Kashmir visit here but unfortunately, the government has failed to provide a road connectivity here”.
“The construction of the road was initially started but the R&B department has helped it in mid-way and people continue to suffer. However, the Tourism department is not giving any attention to such a beautiful spot,” he added.
Wali Mohd Mir, the village head of the area where the infamous ‘Serathani Pilgrimage’ lies while talking to The Kashmiriyat said, “Youngsters of the area who are well qualified are struggling to get jobs. If Tourism department will look into the matter, it would be helpful. Administration should strengthen tourism here so that our Jobless Youth can get employment through various means”.
The question that needs to be asked is that whether the government only believes in asking votes of the general public of the country just in the name of the situation in Kashmir, or does the government really care about the Kashmiri people?