Ancient & Lost Temples of Kashmir

Email

Whatsapp

Facebook

Pinterest

Twitter

Copy link

As I come back and write more about Kashmir, I must admit that this time my journey has been challenging. The first time when the idea was shared by my publisher, I agreed to it with alacrity. I did not bat an eyelid because it was about my native land. However, after hanging-up, I realized that this work will come with a huge responsibility. Kashmir has two meanings for the larger world. There is a part of the valley which is bestowed with rivers, lakes, snowy mountains, springs, meadows, wealthy forests, primeval monuments, salubrious weather, ancient shrines, opulent gardens, and much more. And then there is the other side of the valley which is mystical, unknown, metaphysical, enigmatic, spiritual, and magical. In the myriad centuries and generations, the above physical and spiritual aspect of Kashmir has become a quintessential characteristic of all Kashmiris. Akin to the weaving of Kashmiri carpets and shawls, every Kashmiri is a representation of the material and non-material stories that have percolated since times immemorial. There is a story in every nook and cranny of Kashmir. But no two stories are the same. A story that may sound familiar, but has a different perspective-like the moon which stays the same but people have a diverse frame of reference to it. Ancient and lost temples are the treasured entity of the valley. Writing on the temples was challenging not because I didn't have enough information, but there were multiple sources to handle with care. Accessing, interviewing, visiting, collating, re-checking, mapping, and taking a 360-degree overview was not easy. There is no doubt that each work I have referred to, whether from ancient, medieval, pre-independence, post-independence, or modern times, has been a work of craftsmanship, kindred like the pieces of art from Kashmir. This book reflects on the physical and spiritual past of the ancient and lost temples of Kashmir. It also attempts to showcase the architectural marvel that these temples have remained in the past. For the ease and hand-holding of the reader, this book has a unique treatment. I have introduced a fictional character Kabir, who as a research student visits these ruined temples and then collects the factual information about each temple. Kabir is the facilitator, who brings forth the fact-based truth about each of the temples he visits. I am sure the readers will enjoy this novel treatment. The geographical location of Kashmir has always been at a strategic point. It shares borders with many countries. It was at the summit point, where the oldest and most prodigious civilizations would traverse for trade, cultural exchange, religion, war, conquest, and other such human interactions. The valley of Kashmir has remained a mature location for different religions to flourish. King Kanishka (2nd century BC) from the Kushan dynasty lent his majestic patronage to strengthen the splitting and conflicting interpretation of the basic teachings of Buddha, and because of his dynamic support and devotion, King Kanishka nurtured it throughout the length and breadth of his huge empire, of which Kashmir was a part. It is important to mention that around 70 AD, Kanishka chose Kundalavanavihara, near Harwan, about 19 km from Srinagar city, for holding the monumental religious deliberation. The Council hosted Buddhist and Hindu luminaries and produced about 3,00,000 verses on religious philosophies. Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang has mentioned about this mega event in his writings. Under the patronage of Kanishka, Vasumitra, Asvaghosa, the council produced the commentaries known as Vibhasha, on Buddhist Tripitaka. The eldest son of Guru Nanakji, Baba Sri Chand, also the founder of the Udasi sect, was once meditating next to the holy dhuni in Kashmir, in the 15th century. Nawab Yakub Khan, from the ruling government, accused Baba Sri Chand of instigating conflict between Hindus and Muslims. Baba immediately whacked a burning stick on the ground. No sooner he pushed the stick into the ground than the flames vanished and the stick sprouted leaves of a beautiful Chinar tree. At that moment, Baba Sri Chand said that God's tree is broad enough to give shade to everyone. What is amazing is that this Chinar tree still stands there as a monument of peace next to Shakti Sweets, at Residency Road, Srinagar city. These exchanges led to social, physical, cultural, and religious impacts on Kashmir. Temples and shrines of Kashmir have a unique indigenous design to their structure and aesthetics. Across provinces, the temple structure broadly consisted of a garbhagriha, shikhara, mandapa, or vimana type. The other distinguishing feature was that the base of these buildings was either square or oblong, and was largely constructed out of the same material from the base to the summit. In the case of Kashmir, it was usually grey limestone. Intricate stone carvings, designs, motifs, floral patterns, and sculptures of various Gods and Goddesses are common features across Kashmiri temples. Nags or natural water springs need special mention here. The valley abounds in glaciers, lakes, rivers, streams, and springs. There are numerous springs in the valley, and almost each spring has an associated Shiva temple in physical proximity to it.

Kashmir being her first love; author and educator, Avanti wrote Catching The Fading Ray, which is a collection of folk tales from her native place. They are a reflection of the rich cultural reminiscence of the author's formative years at her birthplace. In her last book titled The Kashmir That Was, Avanti brought forth the bygone times when Kashmir was romanticised. This book is a collection of flash back moments where the unseen, unheard, unimagined side of Kashmir converge to reveal a new facet of the erstwhile state, and it has been accepted very well by the readers. Avanti has been a part of various anthologies titled, Crossed and Knotted, Defiant Dreams, When They Spoke and The Readomania book of Mythology. Her opinion pieces are published in Jammu-based Daily Excelsior, Women's Web, Madras Courier, and Early Times. She is a fellow at 'The Way of Writing with Natalie Goldberg.

How much does the world know about the beautiful temples of Kashmir? What happened to the glorious temples of Kashmir after repeated plunders by foreign mercenaries? Kashmir is not only the beauteous 'heaven on earth'; it is also a victim of vandalism at the hands of intolerant fundamentalists. Innumerable holy caves, springs, shrines, and temples dotted the crown of India, most of which have been destroyed by plunderers or relegated to neglected oblivion by the majority. Through in-depth research, Sopory has attempted to set straight generations of misrepresented historical facts about Kashmir. She has brought forth the ancient and lost cultural and spiritual wealth of Kashmir that has over the centuries faced multiple attacks. Ancient & Lost Temples of Kashmir chronicles the legacy of Kashmir's cultural heritage through its temples and raises a fervent plea for preservation.