Sharda

Sharda

Sharda (Urdu: شاردا ‎) (Also known as Shardi ) is a small town in Neelam District inAzad Kashmir, Pakistan. It is one of the two tehsils of Neelum district, and is reputed to be the most beautiful spot of the Neelum valley. It is located on the banks of theNeelum river at an altitude of 1981m , about 136 kilometers Northeast of Muzaffarabad.

The ruins of the famous temple and Hindu pilgrimage site Sharada Peeth, dedicated to the goddess Sharada, 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.

Sharda is accessible by Neelam road from Muzaffarabad. Buses run daily between Muzaffarabad and Sharda in good weather. The town has a rest house and a youth hostel of AJK Tourism and Archeology Department for tourists stay. Few private hotels are also located here.