Govt neglects 700- yr old shrine in Saujiyan

By Ishrat Butt, Poonch (Mandi), Published in Greater Kashmir, Publishing Date: Oct 26 2016 1:01AM. Locals, while talking to Greater Kashmir, said that this shrine is seven hundred years old and is named after a great Sufi saint, who reached this area from Kashmir.

 A shrine located at Guntar village of Saujiyan, only eight kilometres from Mandi tehsil headquarter, here in Pir Panchal region is craving for government attention. The shrine of Peer Sayeed Sadiq Shah is located very close to Line of Control in Saujiyan.

 Locals while talking to Greater Kashmir said that this shrine is seven hundred years old and is named after a great Sufi saint, who reached this area from Kashmir. They informed that the Minar [i.e., minaret] of this shrine was constructed 80 years ago and is repaired after every couple of years by locals on their own.

 “So far government has not even bothered to pay attention to this shrine which is a centre of religious values of the people of the area,” he added. Locals said that a road to this shrine was constructed by them a few months ago.

We spent Rs eight lakhs but Rural Development Department is still to clear the payment. They also informed that a temporary bathroom was constructed by locals of the area on their own. "We appeal authorities to show some concern towards this shrine and to ensure that basic facilities remain available to devotees visiting here," locals said.