Union Home Minister Amit Shah today e-inaugurated Maa Sharda Devi Temple at Teetwal on the banks of Kishanganga River near Line of Control in north Kashmir's Kupwara district today. Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha was also present virtually from Raj Bhawan Jammu.<br />''<br />''Shri Amit Shah on the occasion said that the inauguration of Maa Sharda's Temple is the beginning of a new era and maintained that the re-construction of the Sharda Temple at Teetwal is an important step in the direction of discovery of Sharda civilization and promotion of Sharda script.<br />''<br />''The Home Minister said that the architecture and construction of this temple has been done according to mythological scriptures under the aegis of Sharda Peeth. Shri Shah said that once upon a time "Sharda Peeth" was considered the centre of knowledge in the Indian subcontinent and scholars from all over the country used to come here in search of scriptures and spiritual knowledge. He said that Sharda script is the original script of Kashmir, which has been named after the name of Maa Sharda.<br />'' <br />''The Union Home Minister said that Sharda Peeth has been a historical centre of India's cultural, religious and educational heritage, like Kartarpur Corridor and said that Government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will move forward to open Sharda Peeth for devotees. He said the systematic restoration and repair work is going on at 123 identified places which include many temples and Sufi Places. He said that in the first phase, 35 places were being renovated at a cost of Rs 65 crore. He said that 31 mega-cultural programs have also been organized by identifying the 75 places of religious and Sufi saints. Shri Shah said that 20 cultural festivals have also been organized in every district which will help in reviving our old heritage.<br />''<br />''<span style="color: #222222;">Meanwhile, District Administration Kupwara had made elaborate arrangements for the inaugural function at Maa Sharda Temple in Teetwal today. A large number of Kashmiri Pandits and other devotees drawn from various parts of the country had arrived here and took part in mantar-ucharan at Sharda Mata temple on the eve of inauguration of Sharda Temple and first navratra today. On the occasion, Kashmir Pandit women recited mantras in Kashmiri language and prayed for the well-being of the whole mankind and lasting peace in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.</span>