WILD FLOWERS WHICH ARE USED FOR DOMESTIC PURPOSES IN KASHMIR

WILD FLOWERS

Some of the wild flowers which grow round Srinagar and their indigenous use.

PEGASUS HERMALA

Kashmiri name	Isband
English name	Rue
Family	Malvaceae
Locality	Malla Khah

Uses-It has a white flower. The ashes of this plan used in washing the hair and the leaves are fatal to bugs. The seeds are burnt on wedding days to avert the evil eye.

MALVA SYLVESTRIS

Kashmiri name	Sotsal
English name	Mallow
Family	Malvaceae
Locality	Waste lands; Also cultivated

Uses-It is a pot-herb. The seeds are used in decoction (sherbat). The root has a lubricating value and is used in anaemia.

CANNABIS SATIVA

Kashmiri name	Bhanga
English name	Hemp
Family	Labiatae
Locality	River banks

Uses-It grows mostly above pampor on both the banks of the Vetasta. Its fibre is used for making ropes and for sankering boats. The cheras, an intoxicating drug, is made from this plant in three ways:

1. The live plant is rubbed by hands and sticky substance is collected.
2. The pollen dust.
3. The dry plant is pounded and sifted. The material is placed in the maize-cob sheath, or paper or birch bark and well-wrapped in rush and baked in hot ashes. It is then smoked mixed with tobacco.

LANATUMA MARRUBRIUM

Kashmiri name	Tropor
English name
Family	Labiatae
Locality	Waste lands

Uses-It bears a white flower. It is boiled in kanja and applied to a rheumatic limb.

MELILOTUS ALBA

Kashmiri name
English name
Family	Labiatae
Locality	Shankarachar

Uses-The flowers which are on a raceme are white. The flowering season is August, September. The leaves have delicious fragrance.

SALVIA MOORCROFTIANA

Kashmiri name	Sholur
English name
Family	Labiatae
Locality	Hari Parbat and Shankarachar

Uses-It has bluish white flowers.

MENTHA SYLVESTUS

Kashmiri name	Wena
English name	Horse-mint
Family	Labiatae

Uses-The leaves have an acute fragrance and are used as flowers in worship by the Hindus. Mixed with salt and chilli, it is eaten as chetni, and is considered very stimulating.

PLECTRANTHUS RUGOSUS

Kashmiri name	Madal
English name
Family	Labiatae
Locality	Shankarachar and sandy soil

Uses-It has grey-white flowers and sweet fragrance. The leaves are used in worship by Hindus. A decoction of leaves is given to a person fallen from height.

THYMUS SERPHYLLUM

Kashmiri name	Jawen
English name	Thyme
Family	Labiatae
Locality	Hari Parbat, Shankarachar and sandy soil

Uses-The plant bears pink flowers in clusters. Their jam is an excellent stomach tonic. It is also put in Kanja (sadurkonz). It is good for weak sight, stomach and liver troubles. It can be used to flavour vegetable or fish.

ARTEMISA MOORCROFTIANA

Kashmiri name	Tethawen
English name
Family	Compositae
Locality	Malla Khah

Uses-The leaves are made into a pill as a medicine for worms. It is also used to protect clothes and paper against fish insects.

CARDIUS NUTANS

Kashmiri name	Kond posh
English name	Thistle
Family	Compositae
Locality	Gardens and waste lands

Uses-It is a thistle with a crimson flower. Its root dug in autumn mixed with cane-sugar, half and half, is taken as medicine for neural diseases.

TARAXACUM OFFICINALE

Kashmiri name	Maidan hand Exglish name Dandelion
Family	Compositae
Locality	Outside Srinagar

Uses-It has a yellow flower. It is a potherb. When dried, it is well cooked and applied to a sprained limb.

CICCHORIUM INTYBUS

Kashmiri name	Won hand
English name	Chicory
Family	Compositae

Uses-It has a beautiful blue flower. It is used as a vegetable and is given to women after child-birth.

DATURA STRAMONIUM

Kashmiri name	Datur
English name
Family	Solanaceae
Locality	Waste lands

Uses-It bears a white trumpetlike flower which is highly prized for uses in worship. The seeds which have a narcotic effect are found in a thorny capsule. The leaf, lubricated with warm rape-seed oil, is applied to a diseased eye.

DAPHNE OLEODES

Kashmiri name	Gandalun
English name	Daphne
Family	Thymelaceae
Locality	Shankarachar

Uses-It is a shrub bearing creamy white flowers. The leaves are used for some neural diseases and nausea.

CAUCALIS LEPTOPHYLLA

Kashmiri name	Mohora Kach
English name
Family	Umbelliferae
Locality	Waste lands

Uses-It has white flowers. The seeds are used as medicine.

ACHILLIA MILLIFOLLIUM

Kashmiri name	Phal gasa
English name	Milfoil
Family	Umbelliferae
Locality	Round fields

 
Uses-It has white flowers. The leaves are used in preparing medicine for stomach affections and the root for toothache.

FENICULUM VALGARE

Kashmiri name	Phakazur
English name	Fennel
Family	Umbelliferae
Locality	In fields (rare)

Uses-It is a beautiful plant. In some European countries it is used as a spice. 'As much as eight and a half pounds of fennel was brought for King Edward I's household for one month's supply'.

RUMEX

Kashmiri name	Oboj
English name	Dock
Family	Polygonaceae
Locality	In fidds and gardens

Uses-It is a potherb. It has a little sour taste. It is cooked widh or without fishes. The root pounded and mixed with oil or ghee is used for boils.

RUBUS NIVEUS

Kashmiri name	Chanch
English name	Raspberry
Family	Rosaceae
Locality	Shankarachar, Zaberwon

Uses-It is a shrub. The fruit is edible. It is good for blood.

ALTNEA OFFICENALIS

Kashmiri name	Saza posh
English name	Holly hock
Family	Malvaceae
Locality	Gardens

Uses-The flower, along widh dle wheat bran, is used in washing the feet of a sick person. The seeds form the chief ingredient in decoction of sherbat. The root has a lubricating effect used for anaemia.

URTICA DIOICA

Kashmiri name	Soai
English name	Stinging nettle
Family	Urticeae
Locality	Waste lands

Uses-The leaves are pounded and applied to wounds. The root boiled in tea and sugar is believed to cure malaria. In old schools (maktabs) this plant was thrashed on the naked boys as a punishment for bad behaviour.

AMARANTHUS FRUMENTACUS

Kashmiri name	Ganhar, lisa
English name	Amaranth
Family
Locality	Fields, also cultivated

Uses-The seeds are eaten mixed with sugar. The ashes of this plant are used as saz, in soap preparation.

ANALYSIS OF THE PLANT

Moisture	19.43 %
Ash	3.19
Protein	11.50
Carbohydrates	66.62
Fat	4.45
Fibre	2.1

OXALIS CORNICULUTA

Kashmiri name	Sebargi
English name	Sorrel
Family	Geraminaceae
Locality	Fields

Uses-It has a yellow flower. The leaves are used in chetni. It is good for eye-sight. A medicine for eyes prepared from the juice of the plant.

GAGEA-KASHMIRIANA

Kashmiri name
English name
Family	Liliaceae
Locality	Malla khah

Uses-It has a yellow flower like a star. It is one of the first flowers to bloom.

ACORUS CALAMUS

Kashmiri name	Vai
English name	Sweet flag
Family	Araideae
Locality	In swampy places outside Srinagar

Uses-It is used on New Year's day. It is good for memory. Jam is prepared from it.

SOLANUM NIGRUM, DULCAMARA?

Kashmiri name	Kambai
English name
Family	Solanaceae
Locality	In waste lands

Uses-It has a white flower. The seeds are used in decoctions. The juice of the plant mixed with butter is applied to a swollen limb.

CAPSELLA BURSA-PASTORIS

Kashmiri name	Kralamond
English name	Shepherd's purse
Family	Cruciferae
Locality	In all places

Uses-It has a white flower. The Plant is eaten raw.

VERBACUM THAPSUS

Kashmiri name	Bolar kon
English name	Mullein
Family	Scrophularineae
Locality	In waste lands

Uses-It has a light yellow flower. The leaves mixed with oil or butter are used for itches.

CHENOPODIUM BLITUM

Kashmiri name	Wan palak
English name	Goose foot
Family	Chenopodiaceae
Locality	Shankarachar

Uses-The fruit and leaves are eaten.

BERBEBIS LYCIUM

Kashmiri name	Kava dach
English name
Family	Berberideae
Locality	Shankarachar, Zaberwon

Uses-It is a shrub. The fruit is eaten and is a blood purifier. The root is used in preparing medicine for eyes. It is said to be a remedy for cholera.

FUMARIA PAVIFLORA

Kashmiri name	Shahtar
English name
Family	Fumariacea
Locality	In fields

Uses-The juice of the plant is taken internally along with whey to give a cooling effect.

DIOSCOREA DELTOIDEA

Kashmiri name	Krats
English name
Family
Locality	In fields

Uses-In spring the leaves are eaten as a vegetable and are supposed good for eye-sight.

                                                                     MADAL

                                                 WENA
POSTED  BY : VIPUL KOUL                       EDITED BY:ASHOK KOUL

                                                 

SHIV LINGA

WYEN GULAB DATER POSH
BAEL TAY MADAAL BEY PAMPOSH
WYEN GULAB DATER POSH
BAEL TAY MADAAL BEY PAMPOSH

SHIV

BHAGVAN SHIVA

Ali Mardan Khan The Afghan General wrote :

“Huma aasli maheshawar boodh ki shab shahe ki man deedam. Ajab sansayase deedam namo narayane guftam”.

Huma Aslay Maheshwar Bood
Shabshahay Ki Man Didam

Gazanfar Charam Dar Barbood
Shab Shahay

I saw him at night, I am sure it was Maheshwar
wearing a Lion skin on him, that night

Zee Bhasamsh Jam-e-Bar Tan
Zonarsh maar bar gardan
Ravansh gang bar sar bood
Shab Shahay

His body covered in ash, a snake around the neck
Ganga was flowing down from his hair, that night

Say Chashmash bar jabeen Darad
Zee mehroy roshan tar
Say Karan Dast Bastah bood
Shab Shahay

Three eyes on his face, his face all illuminating
for that reason, my hands paid him respect, that night

B-dastash Aab-e-Kosar
V-bekh Nakusee Nilofar
Hilalash Taaj bar sar bood
Shab Shahay

Water of bounty, a lotus conch in hand
his head was lit by moon, that night

Uma Az Soi-la-Bingar
Zi Sad Khursheed Taban tar
Svarash Kulib-e-nar bood
Shab Shahay

Uma to his left, bright like a thousand suns
their ride was a Bull, that night

Ajab Sanyaas-e-didam
Namo Narayan Guftam
E-Khakay paye bosidham
Shab Shahay

I saw a strange renouncer, my lips uttered - Namoh Narayan
I kissed the dust flying off his feet, that night

Nigahay bar manay Miskeen
Namood Az Chashim Tabaan Tar
Makanash Laamkan tar bood
Shab Shahay

He looked deep into me with his shining eyes
I saw his house in the uninhabitable infinite, that night

Manam Mardaan Ali Khanam
Gulam Shah-e-Shaham
Ajab Israar may Beenam
Shab Shahay

I, Ali Mardan Khan, server of King of Kings
I witnessed something very strange, that night

TAKSHAK NAAG

1. Ali Mardan Khan The Afghan General wrote :
   
   “Huma aasli maheshawar boodh ki shab shahe ki man deedam. Ajab sansayase deedam namo narayane guftam”.
   
   Huma Aslay Maheshwar Bood
   Shabshahay Ki Man Didam
   

   Gazanfar Charam Dar Barbood
   Shab Shahay
   
   I saw him at night, I am sure it was Maheshwar
   wearing a Lion skin on him, that night
   
   Zee Bhasamsh Jam-e-Bar Tan
   Zonarsh maar bar gardan
   Ravansh gang bar sar bood
   Shab Shahay
   
   His body covered in ash, a snake around the neck
   Ganga was flowing down from his hair, that night
   
   Say Chashmash bar jabeen Darad
   Zee mehroy roshan tar
   Say Karan Dast Bastah bood
   Shab Shahay
   
   Three eyes on his face, his face all illuminating
   for that reason, my hands paid him respect, that night
   
   B-dastash Aab-e-Kosar
   V-bekh Nakusee Nilofar
   Hilalash Taaj bar sar bood
   Shab Shahay
   
   Water of bounty, a lotus conch in hand
   his head was lit by moon, that night
   
   Uma Az Soi-la-Bingar
   Zi Sad Khursheed Taban tar
   Svarash Kulib-e-nar bood
   Shab Shahay
   
   Uma to his left, bright like a thousand suns
   their ride was a Bull, that night
   
   Ajab Sanyaas-e-didam
   Namo Narayan Guftam
   E-Khakay paye bosidham
   Shab Shahay
   
   I saw a strange renouncer, my lips uttered - Namoh Narayan
   I kissed the dust flying off his feet, that night
   
   Nigahay bar manay Miskeen
   Namood Az Chashim Tabaan Tar
   Makanash Laamkan tar bood
   Shab Shahay
   
   He looked deep into me with his shining eyes
   I saw his house in the uninhabitable infinite, that night
   
   Manam Mardaan Ali Khanam
   Gulam Shah-e-Shaham
   Ajab Israar may Beenam
   Shab Shahay
   
   I, Ali Mardan Khan, server of King of Kings
   I witnessed something very strange, that night

   

   
   
2. 
   

   TAKSHAK NAAG
   
   Village Zevan is situated at a short distance beyond Pandrenthan on the Srinagar Jammu highway. This village was founded by King Kalasha (1089-1011) who, despite his confrontation with his father Ananta and mishandling of his

   son Harsha, appears to have attained some reputation as a strong ruler. Jayavana, as it was named by the founder, may have commemorated Kalash’s victory over his enemies of whom a ruler of his temperament could not have a few. Two persons close to him in his family bore the name Jaya. One was a concubine Jayamati who joined six of kalasha’s queens in committing self-immolation a his death. Whether she had persuaded the king to found the village in her name is not known. The second was his son Jayaraja from his favourite concubine Kayya. There is no clue to his association with Jayavan, now Zevan.
   
   This village is famous for Takshak Nag, which is visited by pilgrims, who undertake a pilgrimage to Harishwar towards the east of Srinagar city. It is said that saffron has originated from the spring and that its cultivation has spread in its neighborhood. It is related that the Lord of the Spring offered Hakim Waga Bhat, the saffron bulbs as a token of reward for curing his eye ailment.
   
   Bilhan the great Sanskrit poet who flourished in 11th century and was born at Khunmoh ( a village at a distance of 5 km. towards the east of Zewan ). He described the spring as "A pool filled with pure water sacred to Takshak the Lord of snakes ", Abdul Fazal records the facts that this spring is held to be the place wherefrom saffron originated and flourished in the neighbourhood.
   
   In the time of Akbar, the cultivators worshipped at the spring at the beginning of each spring season. To get successful crops it was customary to pour cow's milk in it. As a local divinity Takshak Naga retained sanctity and importance for long with cultivators. Pilgrims when on their way to Harishwar cave offer Puja at the spring on the twelfth of the dark fortnight of Jeth corresponding to the month of June.
   
   Where relating the story of Chander lekha-the beautiful Naga damsel-the great poet Historian, Kalhana mentions the name of the spring in the Rajatarangini as a place of pilgrimage. The inclusion Or the spring as a Tirtha in the list of Tirthas recorded in Mahabharata signifies its antiquity.
   
   At present the spring stands intact with embankments of chiselled stones full of pure and sweet water. The spring measures 50' x 50' and has depth of 3'. The water source is in the North east corner of the spring.

   

                                                  VIPUL KOUL

Shiv Chamar Astuti [Attih Beeshan ...]

Forgotten Temples of Kashmir Photo series Part-3

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Forgotten Temples of Kashmir Photo series Part-3 An effort to preserve and record Hindu cultural and religios heritage of Kashmir THAJIWARA - CHOTA AMARNATH Exclusive images and report from a remote village in Kashmir provided for Shehjar by Chander M. Bhat

“Shiva, the third god of the Hindu Trinity, is generally worshipped in the anconic form of the linga. Literally, Shiva means auspiciousness and linga means an emblem. Hence Shiva Linga means and emblem of auspiciousness.” [A Concise Encyclopaedia of Hinduism, Volume 3 by Swami Harshananda] hajiwara village is situated at about three km from Bijhehara enroute Pahalgam. There were four Kashmiri Pandit Families with surname ‘Dhars’. Three families have migrated to the different parts of India when militancy erupted in the valley in the year 1989. At present one Sh. Roshan Lal Dhar who is a radio mechanic by profession is residing in this village with his mother. One more village namely Batgund Laribal was one km away from this village. This village was dominated by Kashmiri Pandits with 32 families. It was 11th October 2009, I visited the temple, Sh. Jagan Nath Bhat of village Logripura [Pahalgam] accompanied me. We reached Thajiwara at about 1030 hours. Shiva Temple of Thajiwara is situated atop a small hill lock on the left side of the road dates its history back to Kayshup period. One has to climb a steep to reach the main temple. 32 kanal of land are attached with this temple. The steps leading to the temple count 48. There are two natural caves in the complex of this temple. A small spring oozing its fresh and cold water in one of the caves forms the main sanctum sanitarium with three feet Shiva Lingam submerged in water. Pearl like water drops oozing from the roof of the cave are falling on Shiva Lingam. This cave is facing towards east. Wild grass has grown on the face of the cave and I was told that this grass remains green throughout the year. Another cave though deep in size of the first cave forms the reservoir of the sacred water coming out of first cave. This water was then taken by pipes to the main spring at the bottom of the hill lock for the holy dip of the pilgrims. The land of saplings “Thajiwara” attracts people for darshan of Lord Shiva on Sharvan Purnima. This pilgrimage centre came into being after Lord Shiva on his way to the Holy Cave of Amarnath stay for Ghulam Qadir, present Chowkidar of temple a while at this sight where the main shrine is located. Shri Roshan Lal Dhar, whose house is situated at the bottom of the hill lock, told me that the shrine was desecrated on 20.09.1990 and all the dharamshalas were set on fire including the main temple. However the Shiva Lingam was not touched as it was submerged in water in a cave. This temple was re-opened on Tuesday 30.08.2007 for the first time after 18 years of turmoil. Thousands of displaced Kashmiri Pandits especially from village Thajiwara and Batgund (Larigal) arrived here from Jammu and offered prayers at the holy cave temple. This temple was renovated by the State Govt. with a semi circular tin sheet as a roof, open from all sides. The surrounding area which was once full with natural habitat is now looking deserted. Besides the main temple there were four dharamshalas, one Shivaliya, one rest room and four bathrooms bath rooms but the religious zealots raised them down and left no remains of real legacy.

Shiva temple near a spring but alas the shiv lingam is missing and sprined has dried up.

Steps leading to the Shrine

Main Cave

View of another cave

View of another spring

Close view of the dharamshalas

Temple Complex view from the the top

Close up of the Shiv Lingam

View of the guted dharamshalas

Newly Built temple by the State Government

Author alongwith the Chowkidar in front of the cave

*Born on 20th March, 1960 in Murran a village in North Kashmir, Chander M. Bhat is presently working as an Assistant Supdt. Posts, in Department of Posts, Govt. of India. His articles regarding Posts and of non-political nature stand widely published in various papers and magazines of the country. A booklet 'How to Collect Stamps" published by the Department of Posts, has earned him genuine accolades. He worked on the project of tracing the roots of his co-villagers and of the village Murran, resulting into the culmination of a widely acclaimed book "Murran -My Village". Man with depth, Chander M. Bhat has also another book, "Ocean by Drops" (collection of poems) in his vase having colorful poems. His book "Ancient History of Jammu and Kashmir", confirms his researching capability. Various research papers like "The Splendor that is Amarnath" and "Vitasta" The Sacred River of Kashmir" are valuable additions to his works that has proved very fruitful and guiding force in the exile period of Kashmiri Pandits community of which the author is also a member. Presently the author is working on "OOL - THE NEST" a six volume project on all the 595 (each volume of about 2500 pages)Kashmiri Pandit villages of Kashmir..                              POSTED BY............................VIPUL KOUL                                                                              VIPUL KOUL