Chander M. Bhat
Taksaka was one of the major serpents born of the parents, Kasyapa and Kadru. He was the king of 27 races of serpents. It was he who bit and killed the king Pariksit. Enraged by this, the king Janamejaya, son of Pariksit performed the Sarpayaga, aimed at destroying the entire race of the serpents. Taksaka took refuge in Indra, the king of gods. However, when due to the power of the mantra, even Indra along with Taksaka was forcibly pulled towards the sacrificial fire, the young sage Astika appeared on the scene and saved both of them. The sacrifice too was stopped.
Village Zewan [Lat. 34 degrees 2 minutes, Long. 74 degrees 56 minutes] is at a distance of 12 km to the south-east of Srinagar. A link road from Pantha Chowk (ancient Pandu Chak) joins Zewan and is 3 km away from Pantha Chowk. This village was founded by King Kalasha (1089-1011). Takshak Nag was a place of pilgrimage in bygone days and now is visited by the pilgrims who undertake the pilgrimage to Harishore cave up on a hilltop. It is the only holy spring in Kashmir which is distinctively mentioned in the shrine list of the Mahabharata. The stonework for the embankment of this holy spring has been done under Dogra Rule.
The spring measures around 50 feet by 50 feet with a depth of about 4 feet with crystal clear water. Water is oozing in the northeastern corner of the spring. It is said that saffron has originated from this holy spring. Takshaka 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 the 11th century, was born at Khunmoh (a village at a distance of 5 km. towards the east of Zewan).
MARTAND TEMPLE
Martand [Lat. 33 degrees 45 minutes, Long. 75 degrees 16 minutes] is about 52 km south-east of Srinagar and 7 km from Anantnag en-route Pahalgam. It is famous for its temple of Sun built by King Lalitaditya Muktapida (8th century A.D.). Though in ruins, it is considered as one of the beautiful temples of Kashmir. Even in the state of ruin, it appears magnificent.
The ruins of the temple of Martand, or, as it is commonly called, the Pandav Lareh, is situated on the highest part of a Khrewa, where it commences to rise to its junction with the mountains. Occupying undoubtedly the finest position in Kashmir this noble ruin is the most striking in size and situation of all the existing remains of Kashmir grandeur. The temple is not now more than 35 feet in height, but its solid walls and bold outlines towering over the fluted pillars of the surrounding colonnade, give it a most imposing appearance. The temple is of moderate size, 60 feet by 36 feet with two facades in the front.
Brari Aangan, Uma Nagri , Utrasoo
In the Kenopanisad there is the mention of Uma Haimavatisvari (Uma, daughter of Himavan, same as Parvati) teaching Indra about Brahman. She is the personification of Brahmavidya or knowledge of Brahma.
Village Brari Aangan (Uma Nagri) [Lat. 33 degrees 42 minutes, Long. 75 degrees 21 minutes] is a large village in the Kuthar pargana lying east of Achhabal, at the mouth of the Halkan Galli, on the way to village Nowbugh. This village is about 14 km from Achhabal and 19 km from Anantnag.
There are four springs of diameter 12 mts/8 mts and 11 mts. in shrine
complex. The springs are having crystal clear water and are located like
a triangle in the shape of Omkara known as Brahma Kund, Gauri Kund,
Shiva Kund, and Vishnu Kund. The main temple of Goddess Uma has been
constructed in the middle of Gauri Kund. On the west side of the shrine,
there is a Samadhi of Swami Shivananda.
In the year 1772 AD, Haji Karimdad Khan, (harshest and most tyrannical Afghan Subehdar of Kashmir), deputed a junior executive, Pandit Shiv Ram Kaul, to collect land revenue and other taxes from the Kuthar Pargana. Pandit Shiv Ram Koul had already been initiated by a ranking preceptor in spiritual discipline and on reaching Brari Aangan he intensified his meditative practice and resigned from the job. These facts were reported to the Subehdar who summoned Pandit Shiv Ram Koul to Srinagar. The latter did not go.
The Subehdar himself went to Brari Aangan to check personally and catch hold of the so-called fugitive. Catching a glimpse of Pandit Shiv Ram from a distance he found him flanked by two cats, but when he approached closer he was astounded to find two leopards instead thus Brari Aangan, the courtyard of cats. One of the saints namely Swami Svamyananand of Ganpatyar, Srinagar who was blessed by the Goddess had also contributed a lot for the construction of the shrine at Uma Nagri.
TIRTH RAJ, LOK BHAWAN, DORU, ANANTNAG
Tirth Raj Lok Bhawan [Lat. 32 degrees 17 minutes, Long. 73 degrees 44 minutes] is one of the oldest pilgrimage centers in Kashmir. This ancient shrine was known by the name of Lok-Punya. The word Lok-Punya signifies the Divine greatness of the shrine. With the passage of time the word Punya was replaced by ‘Bhawan’.
Village Lok Bhawan is situated in Doru Tehsil erstwhile Brang Pargana some 10 km from district headquarter Anantnag. A link road from village Larkipora links the village with the rest of the world. This village is situated beneath a small hill. A beautiful spring has its source at the feet of this hill. This place is famous for the ancient pilgrimage, the Lok Bhawan pilgrimage. This pilgrimage, has a shrine, a small holy spring, at an elevation, and big spring, the Lok Bhawan Spring, which receives water from the small holy spring above at the foot of the hillock. The Lok Bhawan spring has plenty of water and abounds in sacred fish. The total land under this shrine is 20 kanal and two springs are spread over an area of 8 kanal and 10 marlas. The big spring is 60 feet long and 54 feet in width and the small spring 10 feet in length and 8 km in width.
It is said the Lok Bhawan was an affluent town in the days gone by. A local ruler named Lok Nath is said to have laid the foundation of this village. Previously it was known as Rudhra Bhawan. Late Shri Anand Koul ‘Bamzai’ in his book ‘History of Kashmir’ has also mentioned that a king named Lok Punya has laid the foundation of village Lok Bhawan.
In the year 1772 AD, Haji Karimdad Khan, (harshest and most tyrannical Afghan Subehdar of Kashmir), deputed a junior executive, Pandit Shiv Ram Kaul, to collect land revenue and other taxes from the Kuthar Pargana. Pandit Shiv Ram Koul had already been initiated by a ranking preceptor in spiritual discipline and on reaching Brari Aangan he intensified his meditative practice and resigned from the job. These facts were reported to the Subehdar who summoned Pandit Shiv Ram Koul to Srinagar. The latter did not go.
The Subehdar himself went to Brari Aangan to check personally and catch hold of the so-called fugitive. Catching a glimpse of Pandit Shiv Ram from a distance he found him flanked by two cats, but when he approached closer he was astounded to find two leopards instead thus Brari Aangan, the courtyard of cats. One of the saints namely Swami Svamyananand of Ganpatyar, Srinagar who was blessed by the Goddess had also contributed a lot for the construction of the shrine at Uma Nagri.
TIRTH RAJ, LOK BHAWAN, DORU, ANANTNAG
Tirth Raj Lok Bhawan [Lat. 32 degrees 17 minutes, Long. 73 degrees 44 minutes] is one of the oldest pilgrimage centers in Kashmir. This ancient shrine was known by the name of Lok-Punya. The word Lok-Punya signifies the Divine greatness of the shrine. With the passage of time the word Punya was replaced by ‘Bhawan’.
Village Lok Bhawan is situated in Doru Tehsil erstwhile Brang Pargana some 10 km from district headquarter Anantnag. A link road from village Larkipora links the village with the rest of the world. This village is situated beneath a small hill. A beautiful spring has its source at the feet of this hill. This place is famous for the ancient pilgrimage, the Lok Bhawan pilgrimage. This pilgrimage, has a shrine, a small holy spring, at an elevation, and big spring, the Lok Bhawan Spring, which receives water from the small holy spring above at the foot of the hillock. The Lok Bhawan spring has plenty of water and abounds in sacred fish. The total land under this shrine is 20 kanal and two springs are spread over an area of 8 kanal and 10 marlas. The big spring is 60 feet long and 54 feet in width and the small spring 10 feet in length and 8 km in width.
It is said the Lok Bhawan was an affluent town in the days gone by. A local ruler named Lok Nath is said to have laid the foundation of this village. Previously it was known as Rudhra Bhawan. Late Shri Anand Koul ‘Bamzai’ in his book ‘History of Kashmir’ has also mentioned that a king named Lok Punya has laid the foundation of village Lok Bhawan.
BALA DEVI, BALHAMA, PAMPORE.
‘Bala’ is a Sanskrit word meaning ‘the girl child.’ Worship of Sakti or the Mother Goddess is a very ancient practice in India. Of the several aspects of the Divine Mother Parvati, Lalita or Lalita-Tripurasundari is very important and popular. Bala (also called Bala-Tripurasundari) is an aspect of this Lalita. Sometimes she is described as the daughter of Lalita who helped her to destroy the army of the demon Bhandasura.
As her very name suggests, Bala is pictured as an eternal girl of nine years. Iconographical works describe her as red in colour like a hibiscus flower. She has four arms carrying rosary, noose, goad,
and book. Bala is specially worshipped, by those desiring psychic powers.
MARTAND TEMPLE
Martand [Lat. 33 degrees 45 minutes, Long. 75 degrees 16 minutes] is about 52 km south-east of Srinagar and 7 km from Anantnag en-route Pahalgam. It is famous for its temple of Sun built by King Lalitaditya Muktapida (8th century A.D.). Though in ruins, it is considered as one of the beautiful temples of Kashmir. Even in the state of ruin, it appears magnificent.
The ruins of the temple of Martand, or, as it is commonly called, the Pandav Lareh, is situated on the highest part of a Khrewa, where it commences to rise to its junction with the mountains. Occupying undoubtedly the finest position in Kashmir this noble ruin is the most striking in size and situation of all the existing remains of Kashmir grandeur. The temple is not now more than 35 feet in height, but its solid walls and bold outlines towering over the fluted pillars of the surrounding colonnade, give it a most imposing appearance. The temple is of moderate size, 60 feet by 36 feet with two facades in the front.
The abode of Bala Devi is at Village Balhama [Lat. 34 degrees 2 minutes Long. 74 degrees 59 minutes] about 4 km north-east of Pampore and 13 km south-east of Srinagar. This village is surrounded by village Wuyan in the east, Khunmoh in the north, and Pampore town in the west. This village is about 3 km on the right side near Pantha Chowk reached by a link road near Pampore Joinery Mill. The temple has been built by Dogra rulers in the year 1941 by constructing a circular brick pillar covering five Devdar trees and thereby joining the pillars by steel fencing. Temple is facing towards the east.
‘Bala’ is a Sanskrit word meaning ‘the girl child.’ Worship of Sakti or the Mother Goddess is a very ancient practice in India. Of the several aspects of the Divine Mother Parvati, Lalita or Lalita-Tripurasundari is very important and popular. Bala (also called Bala-Tripurasundari) is an aspect of this Lalita. Sometimes she is described as the daughter of Lalita who helped her to destroy the army of the demon Bhandasura.
As her very name suggests, Bala is pictured as an eternal girl of nine years. Iconographical works describe her as red in colour like a hibiscus flower. She has four arms carrying rosary, noose, goad,
and book. Bala is specially worshipped, by those desiring psychic powers.
MARTAND TEMPLE
Martand [Lat. 33 degrees 45 minutes, Long. 75 degrees 16 minutes] is about 52 km south-east of Srinagar and 7 km from Anantnag en-route Pahalgam. It is famous for its temple of Sun built by King Lalitaditya Muktapida (8th century A.D.). Though in ruins, it is considered as one of the beautiful temples of Kashmir. Even in the state of ruin, it appears magnificent.
The ruins of the temple of Martand, or, as it is commonly called, the Pandav Lareh, is situated on the highest part of a Khrewa, where it commences to rise to its junction with the mountains. Occupying undoubtedly the finest position in Kashmir this noble ruin is the most striking in size and situation of all the existing remains of Kashmir grandeur. The temple is not now more than 35 feet in height, but its solid walls and bold outlines towering over the fluted pillars of the surrounding colonnade, give it a most imposing appearance. The temple is of moderate size, 60 feet by 36 feet with two facades in the front.
The abode of Bala Devi is at Village Balhama [Lat. 34 degrees 2 minutes Long. 74 degrees 59 minutes] about 4 km north-east of Pampore and 13 km south-east of Srinagar. This village is surrounded by village Wuyan in the east, Khunmoh in the north, and Pampore town in the west. This village is about 3 km on the right side near Pantha Chowk reached by a link road near Pampore Joinery Mill. The temple has been built by Dogra rulers in the year 1941 by constructing a circular brick pillar covering five Devdar trees and thereby joining the pillars by steel fencing. Temple is facing towards the east.
Vivekananda Kendra, Nagdandi, Achhabal
Vivekananda Kendra, Nagdandi [Lat. 33 degrees 39 minutes, Long. 75 degrees 14 minutes] is located in a dense forest in the foothills of Achhabal, 3 km from Achhabal (en-route Sri Uma Devi) reached by a link road, I km from the main road. The temple is dedicated to Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa.
The ordinary men of this world, sometimes, become so ordinary that extraordinary men have to appear, here to live them up to no ordinary heights, if not extraordinary ones. These tall men who walk this earth may seem to be no different from others at first but soon grow to superhuman proportions revealing their true nature even as Visnu appeared first as Vamana and then as Trivikrama. Sri Ramakrishna belongs to this rare species. His life was religion…in the highest sense…in practice. He lifted up religion from the morass of rituals and dogmas to great mystical heights as effortlessly as Varaha the earth. The earliest study of his life…his doings, and sayings…can not only inspire us but also elevate us to transcendental levels.
Vivekananda Kendra, Nagdandi [Lat. 33 degrees 39 minutes, Long. 75 degrees 14 minutes] is located in a dense forest in the foothills of Achhabal, 3 km from Achhabal (en-route Sri Uma Devi) reached by a link road, I km from the main road. The temple is dedicated to Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa.
The ordinary men of this world, sometimes, become so ordinary that extraordinary men have to appear, here to live them up to no ordinary heights, if not extraordinary ones. These tall men who walk this earth may seem to be no different from others at first but soon grow to superhuman proportions revealing their true nature even as Visnu appeared first as Vamana and then as Trivikrama. Sri Ramakrishna belongs to this rare species. His life was religion…in the highest sense…in practice. He lifted up religion from the morass of rituals and dogmas to great mystical heights as effortlessly as Varaha the earth. The earliest study of his life…his doings, and sayings…can not only inspire us but also elevate us to transcendental levels.
This
center of Vivekananda Kendra was founded by Swami Ashokanandaji Maharaj
(1911-1971) in the year 1947. The shrine complex is spread over more
than 107 kanals of land with lush green gardens, Kitchen gardens, fruit
trees; a temple dedicated to the holy trinity (Sri Ramakrishna, Sri
Sarda Devi, and Swami Vivekananda), a temple dedicated to Swami
Ashokanandaji, and several guest houses.
AKHALUK CHAKA PAL
Akhal (Aikshala), is a small village located 3 km to the west of village Murran and 8 km from district headquarter Pulwama en-route village Rohmuh. At this village, we see a “Chaka-Pal” (Chakrautapala), a huge boulder with a Siva linga and Mahavera engraved on it.
It is believed that the Pandavas while visiting the pilgrimage centers of north India have visited this place. They have stayed here for a couple of days. It is said that Pandavas tired to lift this boulder and for this purpose, they tied the boulder with iron chains to have a perfect grip. The scars of these chains are still visible on the boulder.
Lord Shiva is engraved on the left side of the boulder and Mahaveera on the front side. It is a pilgrimage center even though there was no temple or Dharamshala at this spot.
Pandits of the neighboring villages i,e. Murran, Frastipora, Diear, Haarpur, Moonghama, Sirnoo, Putrigam and Rohmuh used to visit this place for worship and offer vermilion (सिंदूर), a paste made by mixing the सिंदूर with ghee which was being pasted on the engraved statue of Mahaveera. A big stream is flowing nearby making the place more attractive.
Village Akhal is in the border of the Pulwama, Badgam and Shopian districts. Murran 2 km, Kangan 3 km, Monghama 4 km, Mitrigam 1 km, Rohmuh 2 km are the nearby Villages to Akhal.
AKHALUK CHAKA PAL
Akhal (Aikshala), is a small village located 3 km to the west of village Murran and 8 km from district headquarter Pulwama en-route village Rohmuh. At this village, we see a “Chaka-Pal” (Chakrautapala), a huge boulder with a Siva linga and Mahavera engraved on it.
It is believed that the Pandavas while visiting the pilgrimage centers of north India have visited this place. They have stayed here for a couple of days. It is said that Pandavas tired to lift this boulder and for this purpose, they tied the boulder with iron chains to have a perfect grip. The scars of these chains are still visible on the boulder.
Lord Shiva is engraved on the left side of the boulder and Mahaveera on the front side. It is a pilgrimage center even though there was no temple or Dharamshala at this spot.
Pandits of the neighboring villages i,e. Murran, Frastipora, Diear, Haarpur, Moonghama, Sirnoo, Putrigam and Rohmuh used to visit this place for worship and offer vermilion (सिंदूर), a paste made by mixing the सिंदूर with ghee which was being pasted on the engraved statue of Mahaveera. A big stream is flowing nearby making the place more attractive.
Village Akhal is in the border of the Pulwama, Badgam and Shopian districts. Murran 2 km, Kangan 3 km, Monghama 4 km, Mitrigam 1 km, Rohmuh 2 km are the nearby Villages to Akhal.
Wagh Bhat of Village Waghhama
by Chander M. Bhat
Those who believe in the austerity of thought and those who believe that specialties are not uncommon, leave an impact to such a personality, for whom there are no scriptures and any written history to make him immortal. Wagh Bhat belongs to this tiny village some 5 km from Bijbehara. There was no Kashmiri Pandit family in this village at the time mass exodus. Only what remains of his memories is that oral stories flow from generation to generation.
It is said that Adi Guru Shankaracharya, while on his visit to Kashmir, stayed at Vijeshwara Temple at Bijbehara. He was enquiring about blissful and learned people with whom he could exchange his ideology. Apparently little known Wagh Bhat came to his knowledge by some local resident as being the spiritual personality with magical powers.
He left in search of him and landed at Waghama. During his quest he found him ploughing his field and was advised to go to his home at the village. Adi Guru proceeded to his home. What he saw in the corridor [Voouz in Kashmiri], felt like a hammer on his pious heart. The wife of the spiritual Wagh Bhat was cleaning a small fist locally known as ‘Gurran’ in the corridor. Adi Guru was helpless. The housewife asked him to come in and advised him to sit in the room adjacent to the corridor called ‘Wuot’ in Kashmiri. She continued cleaning the fish and Adi Guru did not like it because of being a vegetarian.
He waited for Wagh Bhat for an hour or so. As he felt restless, he asked the housewife about the reason for his late coming. On knowing, that Adi Guru was intentional to have a dialogue with Wagh Bhat. She wanted to break the illusion of Adi Guru about Shiva being the supreme with only an unimportant secondary place to Shakti.
She took some water from the pot in which she was cleaning then and threw it on the broom and urn, containing cleaned combine of water and red clay for purification of rooms and corridor [locally known as Levan Dul]. Surprisingly for Adi Guru, was that he experienced the flow of Shalukas from both these broom and urn kept in a corner of the corridor. He was moved and accepted that Shakti is equally powerful and is part and parcel of Shiva. He had a mission that got completed even before meeting Wagh Bhat.
Hats down for those Kashmiris who have had at their command such spirituality that even Adi Guru Shankaracharya was outsmarted .
by Chander M. Bhat
Those who believe in the austerity of thought and those who believe that specialties are not uncommon, leave an impact to such a personality, for whom there are no scriptures and any written history to make him immortal. Wagh Bhat belongs to this tiny village some 5 km from Bijbehara. There was no Kashmiri Pandit family in this village at the time mass exodus. Only what remains of his memories is that oral stories flow from generation to generation.
It is said that Adi Guru Shankaracharya, while on his visit to Kashmir, stayed at Vijeshwara Temple at Bijbehara. He was enquiring about blissful and learned people with whom he could exchange his ideology. Apparently little known Wagh Bhat came to his knowledge by some local resident as being the spiritual personality with magical powers.
He left in search of him and landed at Waghama. During his quest he found him ploughing his field and was advised to go to his home at the village. Adi Guru proceeded to his home. What he saw in the corridor [Voouz in Kashmiri], felt like a hammer on his pious heart. The wife of the spiritual Wagh Bhat was cleaning a small fist locally known as ‘Gurran’ in the corridor. Adi Guru was helpless. The housewife asked him to come in and advised him to sit in the room adjacent to the corridor called ‘Wuot’ in Kashmiri. She continued cleaning the fish and Adi Guru did not like it because of being a vegetarian.
He waited for Wagh Bhat for an hour or so. As he felt restless, he asked the housewife about the reason for his late coming. On knowing, that Adi Guru was intentional to have a dialogue with Wagh Bhat. She wanted to break the illusion of Adi Guru about Shiva being the supreme with only an unimportant secondary place to Shakti.
She took some water from the pot in which she was cleaning then and threw it on the broom and urn, containing cleaned combine of water and red clay for purification of rooms and corridor [locally known as Levan Dul]. Surprisingly for Adi Guru, was that he experienced the flow of Shalukas from both these broom and urn kept in a corner of the corridor. He was moved and accepted that Shakti is equally powerful and is part and parcel of Shiva. He had a mission that got completed even before meeting Wagh Bhat.
Hats down for those Kashmiris who have had at their command such spirituality that even Adi Guru Shankaracharya was outsmarted .
KSHIR BHAVANI, TIKKAR
TIKKER [Lat. 34 degrees 32 minutes, Long. 74 degrees 18 minutes] a Sedd Peth, is believed that Mata Raginya had stayed at this place at the time of her arrival in Kashmir, when Hanuman along with 360 Nagas (snake-chieftains) brought Devi to Kashmir from Lanka. The nagas too were given appropriate places to live.
Maha Raginya shrine at village Tikkar is situated on Kupwara-Chowkibal road; just 3 km from the district headquarter Kupwara. The temple is a small structure of marble constructed inside a spring, as at Kshir Bhawani, Tullamulla. Swami Lal Ji Maharaj, Swami Nand Lal Ji and Swami Kral Bab used to perform their Sadhana at the shrine. The shrine has some old houses constructed from mud and wood on a mound which were used by these great saints.
BRARI MEUUJ, VILLAGE MURRAN, PULWAMA
Village Murran [Lat. 33 degrees 52 minutes, Long 74 degrees 54 minutes] is located about three km to the west of Pulwama town and two km. to the east of village Mitrigam… the birthplace of famous patriotic poet Pirzada Ghulam Ahmad ‘Mehjoor’. The natural scenery of the village is very charming. This village, surrounded on all sides by green pastures, untrimmed meadows, trees, shrubs and paddy fields, breathes a typical rural atmosphere.
Brari Meuuj, an ancient shrine is situated in North West of the village. This shrine came into existence when the Bhat dynasty migrated from village Sumbal.
TIKKER [Lat. 34 degrees 32 minutes, Long. 74 degrees 18 minutes] a Sedd Peth, is believed that Mata Raginya had stayed at this place at the time of her arrival in Kashmir, when Hanuman along with 360 Nagas (snake-chieftains) brought Devi to Kashmir from Lanka. The nagas too were given appropriate places to live.
Maha Raginya shrine at village Tikkar is situated on Kupwara-Chowkibal road; just 3 km from the district headquarter Kupwara. The temple is a small structure of marble constructed inside a spring, as at Kshir Bhawani, Tullamulla. Swami Lal Ji Maharaj, Swami Nand Lal Ji and Swami Kral Bab used to perform their Sadhana at the shrine. The shrine has some old houses constructed from mud and wood on a mound which were used by these great saints.
The shrine also has a Sharda temple with a Shila in the form of Paad, many Dharamshalas and a large landed property.
BHADRAKALI SHRINE, WADIPORA, HANDWARA.
BHADRAKALI SHRINE also known as Bhadraheuur is an ancient shrine situated at the extreme end of village Wadipora some 8 km from Handwara town in Kupwara District.
The shrine is situated on a small hillock and is covered with thick forest. One has to climb 350 steps to reach the shrine. The importance of this shrine is described in Bhadrakalipradurbhave. The holy shrine has an Icon in the form of ancient deodar (cedar) tree, considered as the manifestation of Shakti and believed to be more than 1000 years old, around which the temple has been constructed
BHADRAKALI SHRINE, WADIPORA, HANDWARA.
BHADRAKALI SHRINE also known as Bhadraheuur is an ancient shrine situated at the extreme end of village Wadipora some 8 km from Handwara town in Kupwara District.
The shrine is situated on a small hillock and is covered with thick forest. One has to climb 350 steps to reach the shrine. The importance of this shrine is described in Bhadrakalipradurbhave. The holy shrine has an Icon in the form of ancient deodar (cedar) tree, considered as the manifestation of Shakti and believed to be more than 1000 years old, around which the temple has been constructed
NAGBAL, TRAL:
Tral [Lat. 33 degrees 56 minutes, Long. 75 degrees 10 minutes] is situated on the sloping plateau at the foot of the mountain [Vastur Van] near the east side of the Wullar pargana. It lies about 9 km east of Awantipora.
There are 12 springs in Tral town and among these 12 springs, that of the Diva Nag is the most famous. This spring lies on the east side of the town and is shaded by magnificent Chinar and other trees. The water which is very cool and clear rises into a pool about 60 feet square and about 6 feet deep. The waters of this spring are considered sacred by Kashmiri Pandits. The usual encamping ground is on the grassy plain by this spring.
Another spring known as Davabal spring is worthy of notice. In lower Tral there are two springs called Mertser Pukkur, also Kara Nag, Brim Sar, and Konchibal. The remaining three springs are situated in the middle of the town. Fatehgarh temple is situated at Sheergaon, Fatehgarh [Lat. 34 degrees 30 minutes, Long. 74 degrees 35 minutes] 2 km to the South of village Sheeri and 14 km from Baramulla. This temple stands in the middle of the main village. This temple is under the management of the Archaeological Survey of India.
The compound of the temple is 47 feet square. The temple is made of black stones, some of which measure 12 feet in length and 4 feet in height. The interior area of the main temple is 29 feet square. The greater part of cella was occupied by a massive platform on which was placed in the colossal Shivlinga. Two fragments of a water spout are also lying in the sanctum. A krtrima Shivlinga, made of brownstone was found during excavation with carving on two sides representing the Bhairava roop of Siva. The carving on one side is that of Shiva with three heads and on the other, a figure representing his consort Parvati is actually a ‘Rudralinga’.PARIHASPUR
PARIHASPUR [Lat. 34 degrees 08 minutes Long. 74 degrees 38 minutes] is situated over an elevation some 2 km from Narbal and 22 km from Srinagar en-route Baramulla. Wullar Lake forms the northern portion of these magnificent remains of yesteryears.
Lalitadiya Muktapida (695–731), built a number of towns with great temples during his regime. Kalhana writes “There is no town or village, no river or lake, no island where the king did not build a sacred foundation”. It was he who built the famous and elegant temple at Parihaspur. This temple was known as Parihaskesava. Parihaspur was the capital city of the great ruler. It is believed that Laltaditya built four Vaisnava temples namely Parihaskesava, Mahavarha, Govardhanadhara, and Muktadesva. The whole area consisting of about 50 kanals of land is under the management of the Archeological Survey of India. Rajtarangani further discloses “that the emperor constructed a separate stone shrine by the side of Shiva at Parihaspura and installed two images of Lord Rama in it which had been unearthed near the village of Suravardhamana
Tral [Lat. 33 degrees 56 minutes, Long. 75 degrees 10 minutes] is situated on the sloping plateau at the foot of the mountain [Vastur Van] near the east side of the Wullar pargana. It lies about 9 km east of Awantipora.
There are 12 springs in Tral town and among these 12 springs, that of the Diva Nag is the most famous. This spring lies on the east side of the town and is shaded by magnificent Chinar and other trees. The water which is very cool and clear rises into a pool about 60 feet square and about 6 feet deep. The waters of this spring are considered sacred by Kashmiri Pandits. The usual encamping ground is on the grassy plain by this spring.
Another spring known as Davabal spring is worthy of notice. In lower Tral there are two springs called Mertser Pukkur, also Kara Nag, Brim Sar, and Konchibal. The remaining three springs are situated in the middle of the town. Fatehgarh temple is situated at Sheergaon, Fatehgarh [Lat. 34 degrees 30 minutes, Long. 74 degrees 35 minutes] 2 km to the South of village Sheeri and 14 km from Baramulla. This temple stands in the middle of the main village. This temple is under the management of the Archaeological Survey of India.
The compound of the temple is 47 feet square. The temple is made of black stones, some of which measure 12 feet in length and 4 feet in height. The interior area of the main temple is 29 feet square. The greater part of cella was occupied by a massive platform on which was placed in the colossal Shivlinga. Two fragments of a water spout are also lying in the sanctum. A krtrima Shivlinga, made of brownstone was found during excavation with carving on two sides representing the Bhairava roop of Siva. The carving on one side is that of Shiva with three heads and on the other, a figure representing his consort Parvati is actually a ‘Rudralinga’.PARIHASPUR
PARIHASPUR [Lat. 34 degrees 08 minutes Long. 74 degrees 38 minutes] is situated over an elevation some 2 km from Narbal and 22 km from Srinagar en-route Baramulla. Wullar Lake forms the northern portion of these magnificent remains of yesteryears.
Lalitadiya Muktapida (695–731), built a number of towns with great temples during his regime. Kalhana writes “There is no town or village, no river or lake, no island where the king did not build a sacred foundation”. It was he who built the famous and elegant temple at Parihaspur. This temple was known as Parihaskesava. Parihaspur was the capital city of the great ruler. It is believed that Laltaditya built four Vaisnava temples namely Parihaskesava, Mahavarha, Govardhanadhara, and Muktadesva. The whole area consisting of about 50 kanals of land is under the management of the Archeological Survey of India. Rajtarangani further discloses “that the emperor constructed a separate stone shrine by the side of Shiva at Parihaspura and installed two images of Lord Rama in it which had been unearthed near the village of Suravardhamana
BRARI MEUUJ, VILLAGE MURRAN, PULWAMA
Village Murran [Lat. 33 degrees 52 minutes, Long 74 degrees 54 minutes] is located about three km to the west of Pulwama town and two km. to the east of village Mitrigam… the birthplace of famous patriotic poet Pirzada Ghulam Ahmad ‘Mehjoor’. The natural scenery of the village is very charming. This village, surrounded on all sides by green pastures, untrimmed meadows, trees, shrubs and paddy fields, breathes a typical rural atmosphere.
Brari Meuuj, an ancient shrine is situated in North West of the village. This shrine came into existence when the Bhat dynasty migrated from village Sumbal.
“SUMBAL”…a
beautiful village in north Kashmir was the birthplace of great grand
ancestors of Bhat’s of village Murran. Village Sumbal was often under
floods during the rainy season. Pandit Bhawani Bhat (1765-1835), a pious
and orthodox person had a wonderful dream on Magh Ashtami night. Divine
effulgence filled his muddy room. The Divine Mother looked
affectionately at Pandit Bhawani Bhat, beckoned him, and said, “Your
extraordinary devotion has made me very happy. The time has come to
shift you from this place. Early the next morning, a cat will appear in
your compound. Pack up your belongings and follow the cat and settle
down where the cat will give you an indication. That will be your next
place of settlement"... Divine Mother disappeared after reciting the
verdict to Pandit Bhawani Bhat.
Early the next morning a Divine Cat appeared in the compound of Pandit Bhawani Bhat and by that time he had already packed up his little belongings and followed the Divine Cat till both of them reached a village. The Divine Cat gave an indication to him by waving the tip of its tail and disappeared. When the Divine Cat disappeared a small spring emerged on the spot, which was afterward expanded and a beautiful temple was built exactly on the spot where the Divine Cat made Pandit Bhawani Bhat settle. The temple was later called Brari Meuuj (Cat Mother). The construction of the temple started in 1847 and was completed in about four months at the expense of eighty-six rupees. The icon of the Divine Mother was installed in 1849 under the supervision of Shri Loket Bhat (1801-1876).
In the dark nights, under the canopy of the Chinars, the sacred place presents an atmosphere where one becomes rapt in his meditation and in the moonlit nights, a devotee experiences something mystic all over.
PATTAN TEMPLES:
PATTAN [Lat. 34 degrees 10 minutes, Long. 74 degree 36 minutes] is situated on Srinagar Baramulla road at a distance of 28 km on North West of Srinagar and 29 km southeast of Baramulla. When the valley of Kashmir was partitioned into parganas in the time of the emperor Akbar, the village of Pattan was forgotten. On discovering the mistake, he ordered to be constituted the 34th pargana by itself, to be called the Pattan pargana. The ancient name of this place was Sankarpura.
Early the next morning a Divine Cat appeared in the compound of Pandit Bhawani Bhat and by that time he had already packed up his little belongings and followed the Divine Cat till both of them reached a village. The Divine Cat gave an indication to him by waving the tip of its tail and disappeared. When the Divine Cat disappeared a small spring emerged on the spot, which was afterward expanded and a beautiful temple was built exactly on the spot where the Divine Cat made Pandit Bhawani Bhat settle. The temple was later called Brari Meuuj (Cat Mother). The construction of the temple started in 1847 and was completed in about four months at the expense of eighty-six rupees. The icon of the Divine Mother was installed in 1849 under the supervision of Shri Loket Bhat (1801-1876).
In the dark nights, under the canopy of the Chinars, the sacred place presents an atmosphere where one becomes rapt in his meditation and in the moonlit nights, a devotee experiences something mystic all over.
PATTAN TEMPLES:
PATTAN [Lat. 34 degrees 10 minutes, Long. 74 degree 36 minutes] is situated on Srinagar Baramulla road at a distance of 28 km on North West of Srinagar and 29 km southeast of Baramulla. When the valley of Kashmir was partitioned into parganas in the time of the emperor Akbar, the village of Pattan was forgotten. On discovering the mistake, he ordered to be constituted the 34th pargana by itself, to be called the Pattan pargana. The ancient name of this place was Sankarpura.
This place is known for three ancient temples. Two of these ancient
temples, presently in ruins are located on the right side of the road
and are some 400 meters away from each other. Accordingly to
Rajatarangini, King Samkaravarman built one temple known as Shankar
Gauresha and his wife Queen Sugandha built another temple known as
Sagandhesvara. Both of the temples are dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Each temple has a Cella, porches and a square chamber for lingam. The design of construction reveals a similarity to Mattan Temples. A short distance away from these two temples are some remains of another ancient temple, standing inside a spring, known as Ratnavardhanesa, believed to be built by Ratna Vardhan, King Samkaravarman’s minister. According to Pandit R.C.Kak, a boali (spring), whose waters are confined in three regular reservoirs, which are connected with each other, were excavated some time back.
LINGODBHAVAMURTI SHIV LINGA, SHEERI, BARAMULLA
Village Sheeri [Lat. 34 degrees 9 minutes and Long. 74 degrees and 79 minutes] is located at a distance of 12 km from Baramulla en-route Uri and is reached by a link road. The village has two adjoining areas namely "Sheeri Bala" and "Sheeri Payeen".
Eleven feet Acala Shiv Linga is located on an elevated platform of land, 1 km to the south of the village in an open area surrounded by paddy fields. The image of Siva is carved on three sides at ‘Brahmabhaga’ of this ‘Lingodbhavamurti’ linga.
Each temple has a Cella, porches and a square chamber for lingam. The design of construction reveals a similarity to Mattan Temples. A short distance away from these two temples are some remains of another ancient temple, standing inside a spring, known as Ratnavardhanesa, believed to be built by Ratna Vardhan, King Samkaravarman’s minister. According to Pandit R.C.Kak, a boali (spring), whose waters are confined in three regular reservoirs, which are connected with each other, were excavated some time back.
LINGODBHAVAMURTI SHIV LINGA, SHEERI, BARAMULLA
Village Sheeri [Lat. 34 degrees 9 minutes and Long. 74 degrees and 79 minutes] is located at a distance of 12 km from Baramulla en-route Uri and is reached by a link road. The village has two adjoining areas namely "Sheeri Bala" and "Sheeri Payeen".
Eleven feet Acala Shiv Linga is located on an elevated platform of land, 1 km to the south of the village in an open area surrounded by paddy fields. The image of Siva is carved on three sides at ‘Brahmabhaga’ of this ‘Lingodbhavamurti’ linga.
1. Acala: Immovable Linga.
2. Brahmabhaga: The lowest part of the Linga.
3. Lingodbhavamurti: The image of Siva carved on the middle
portion of the Linga.
2. Brahmabhaga: The lowest part of the Linga.
3. Lingodbhavamurti: The image of Siva carved on the middle
portion of the Linga.
PRATAPSWAMIN TEMPLE, TAPPER
Tapper Waripora is located 23 km towards east from Baramulla and 8 km to the west of Pattan. Ancient ruins of Pratapswamin temple with four subsidiary shrines are situated in this village. Tapper Waripora is surrounded by Kunzer towards the South, Narbal towards East and Singhpora towards west.
The temple is in the middle of a courtyard enclosed by a peristyle. It is assignable to the eleventh century A.D. and consists of a Garbhagriha and a Mandapa. It has subsidiary shrines in the courtyard. Only the plinth is preserved.
NAGBAL, ANANTNAG: Anantnag is one of the 10 districts of the Kashmir Valley situated in its south and southwestern direction. Geographically the district lies between 33 degrees 20 minutes to 34 degrees15 minutes north latitude and 74 degrees 30 minutes to 70 degrees 35 minutes east longitude, situated at a distance of 65 km of the south-east of Srinagar.
Nagbal, located in the Eastern part of Anantnag, is a religious centre. The shrine has been developed into a complex. The entire complex is known popularly as Nagbal and is famous Hindu religious centre in Anantnag District. The holy spring which originates from here and the formation of which is attributed to Vishnu or Narayana is said to be a Vedic pilgrimage centre. The spring rises beautifully from the foot of a small hill-lock and is dedicated to the worship of Ananta or Vishno. The shrine has a temple in the left corner, a tank, smaller than the holy spring at a lower elevation, with a Shiv Lingam in its centre and a garden with a number of Chinar trees dotting and surrounding the lower tank. Both the holy springs and the tank abound in fish, which are considered sacred. The holy spring attributed to Ananta (Lord Vishnu) and is believed to be a Vedic pilgrimage. In ancient times, it was called the Inder Nag. The small temple dedicated to Ananta and standing in the left corner was built during the reign of Maharaja Ranbir Singh. The second temple was built during the reign of Maharaja Pratap Singh and dedicated to Lord Shiva. Besides the holy spring and the two temples, there is also sulphur spring and a Gurdwara within the complex. The complex is barely 200 yards from Devibal Anantnag. The annual festival is held on beuuderpeth gat’iu pachh tsodah.
NIL NAG [Lat: 33 degrees 51 minutes, Long: 74 degrees 44 minutes] is an oval sheet of water, about 150 meters long and 30 meters wide, lying in a deep hollow on the slopes of the hills, on the south side of Srinagar, about 7 km west of Tsar Sharief. The water is derived from the springs, and the place is considered very holy the Kashmiri Pandits.
Abu’l Fazl (14 January 1551 – 12 August 1602) in his mention of this lake states it was “held sacred, and many fanatics consume themselves with fire on its border. They likewise try their fortunes by it in the following manner:
Tapper Waripora is located 23 km towards east from Baramulla and 8 km to the west of Pattan. Ancient ruins of Pratapswamin temple with four subsidiary shrines are situated in this village. Tapper Waripora is surrounded by Kunzer towards the South, Narbal towards East and Singhpora towards west.
The temple is in the middle of a courtyard enclosed by a peristyle. It is assignable to the eleventh century A.D. and consists of a Garbhagriha and a Mandapa. It has subsidiary shrines in the courtyard. Only the plinth is preserved.
NAGBAL, ANANTNAG: Anantnag is one of the 10 districts of the Kashmir Valley situated in its south and southwestern direction. Geographically the district lies between 33 degrees 20 minutes to 34 degrees15 minutes north latitude and 74 degrees 30 minutes to 70 degrees 35 minutes east longitude, situated at a distance of 65 km of the south-east of Srinagar.
Nagbal, located in the Eastern part of Anantnag, is a religious centre. The shrine has been developed into a complex. The entire complex is known popularly as Nagbal and is famous Hindu religious centre in Anantnag District. The holy spring which originates from here and the formation of which is attributed to Vishnu or Narayana is said to be a Vedic pilgrimage centre. The spring rises beautifully from the foot of a small hill-lock and is dedicated to the worship of Ananta or Vishno. The shrine has a temple in the left corner, a tank, smaller than the holy spring at a lower elevation, with a Shiv Lingam in its centre and a garden with a number of Chinar trees dotting and surrounding the lower tank. Both the holy springs and the tank abound in fish, which are considered sacred. The holy spring attributed to Ananta (Lord Vishnu) and is believed to be a Vedic pilgrimage. In ancient times, it was called the Inder Nag. The small temple dedicated to Ananta and standing in the left corner was built during the reign of Maharaja Ranbir Singh. The second temple was built during the reign of Maharaja Pratap Singh and dedicated to Lord Shiva. Besides the holy spring and the two temples, there is also sulphur spring and a Gurdwara within the complex. The complex is barely 200 yards from Devibal Anantnag. The annual festival is held on beuuderpeth gat’iu pachh tsodah.
NIL NAG [Lat: 33 degrees 51 minutes, Long: 74 degrees 44 minutes] is an oval sheet of water, about 150 meters long and 30 meters wide, lying in a deep hollow on the slopes of the hills, on the south side of Srinagar, about 7 km west of Tsar Sharief. The water is derived from the springs, and the place is considered very holy the Kashmiri Pandits.
Abu’l Fazl (14 January 1551 – 12 August 1602) in his mention of this lake states it was “held sacred, and many fanatics consume themselves with fire on its border. They likewise try their fortunes by it in the following manner:
A walnut divided into four parts is thrown into the spring; if an odd
number floats, it is accounted a good omen, and an even number is deemed
unlucky. They also throw milk into it, sinking of milk indicates a good
omen, but if it floats, the omen is bad. In ancient times there was, in
this spring, a book entitled “Nilmat,” containing a particular
description of Kashmir, with a history of this place of worship. It is
asserted that at the bottom of the spring there is a large inhabited
city and that a Pandit and went and remained there two or three days,
and on his return gave a wonderful description of it.”
MANASBAL LAKE [Lat: 34 degrees, 15 minutes, Long: 74 degrees, 44 minutes]
Manasbal is situated in the North of Srinagar and is about 30 km from Srinagar on Srinagar Bandipur road in the same direction as the Wular Lake; it lies on the north side of Vitasta, with which it is connected by a canal which opens into the river about 2 km below Sumbal. The canal is about 2 km long from its mouth to its junction with the lake; it is about 18 yards wide and varies in depth according to the height of the river. Manasbal Lake is oblong in shape. Its length is 4 km, and breadth is about one km. It is the deepest of all the lakes in Kashmir.
MANASBAL LAKE [Lat: 34 degrees, 15 minutes, Long: 74 degrees, 44 minutes]
Manasbal is situated in the North of Srinagar and is about 30 km from Srinagar on Srinagar Bandipur road in the same direction as the Wular Lake; it lies on the north side of Vitasta, with which it is connected by a canal which opens into the river about 2 km below Sumbal. The canal is about 2 km long from its mouth to its junction with the lake; it is about 18 yards wide and varies in depth according to the height of the river. Manasbal Lake is oblong in shape. Its length is 4 km, and breadth is about one km. It is the deepest of all the lakes in Kashmir.
Manasbal is
famous not only for Manasbal Lake but also for a small ancient Shiva
Temple situated on the North East side of the lake.
The temple is 6 feet square and has a two pyramidal roof and the main door. The temple is the mode of large limestone slabs. At present, the lower portion of the temple is submerged in water.
GOUSEIN NAAR, VILLAGE LADHU
Ladhu (Lat. 34 degrees, Long: 75 degrees and 2 minutes), a village in the Bihu pargana, situated on the table-land at the foot of the mountains (Wastarwan), about 9 km each of Pampore. It may also be reached from the village of Latapur, on the right bank of the Vitasta, by a metallic road over the table-land; following the base of the mountain, and the distance is about 5 km.
GOUSEIN NAAR is in the lap of Wastarwan one km from Village Ladhu. Jeewan Sahib passed the last days of his life in a house at Gousein Naar (see pic.). Jeewan Sahib, an outstanding saint of the 18th century was born in Motiyar Mohalla of Rainawari, Srinagar. It is said that this great saint shifted from Rainawari to Gousein Naar in 1779 and practiced sadhana in this village. All-time Dooni was on during his lifetime. The then Maharaja of Kashmir allotted him a jaggir of 80 kanals of land at Gousein Naar, Ladhu. Ten Kashmiri Pandit families were residing in this mohalla of the village, who were brought there from Srinagar by the then Maharaja of Kashmir to look after the land gifted to Jeewan Sahib.
The temple is 6 feet square and has a two pyramidal roof and the main door. The temple is the mode of large limestone slabs. At present, the lower portion of the temple is submerged in water.
GOUSEIN NAAR, VILLAGE LADHU
Ladhu (Lat. 34 degrees, Long: 75 degrees and 2 minutes), a village in the Bihu pargana, situated on the table-land at the foot of the mountains (Wastarwan), about 9 km each of Pampore. It may also be reached from the village of Latapur, on the right bank of the Vitasta, by a metallic road over the table-land; following the base of the mountain, and the distance is about 5 km.
GOUSEIN NAAR is in the lap of Wastarwan one km from Village Ladhu. Jeewan Sahib passed the last days of his life in a house at Gousein Naar (see pic.). Jeewan Sahib, an outstanding saint of the 18th century was born in Motiyar Mohalla of Rainawari, Srinagar. It is said that this great saint shifted from Rainawari to Gousein Naar in 1779 and practiced sadhana in this village. All-time Dooni was on during his lifetime. The then Maharaja of Kashmir allotted him a jaggir of 80 kanals of land at Gousein Naar, Ladhu. Ten Kashmiri Pandit families were residing in this mohalla of the village, who were brought there from Srinagar by the then Maharaja of Kashmir to look after the land gifted to Jeewan Sahib.
This sacred shrine is being maintained by Shri Ravi Bhat, a resident of village Ladhu. SALUTE HIM.
SWAMI MERZA KAK ASHRAM, HANGULGUND, KOKERNAG
Hangulgund (Lat: 33 degree 36’minutes. Long: 75 degree 20 minutes) is a village in Bring pargana, situated on the path from village Sof towards Verinag.
Swami Merza Kak Ashram is located on the bank of Kokarnag Nala at Village Hangulgund, 25 km from Anantnag en-route Kokernag (known for its gardens, pristine fresh water springs and rainbow trout farms). The shrine has besides a Samadhi Sathaal, constructed by the followers of Swami Merza Kak after his Nirvana, a temple, a Dharamshala, number of Chinar and other trees and some landed property. The Samadhi, on which a tree has come up, is enclosed on all the four sides. The devotees pay obeisance to the great saint at his Samadhi.
SWAMI MERZA KAK ASHRAM, HANGULGUND, KOKERNAG
Hangulgund (Lat: 33 degree 36’minutes. Long: 75 degree 20 minutes) is a village in Bring pargana, situated on the path from village Sof towards Verinag.
Swami Merza Kak Ashram is located on the bank of Kokarnag Nala at Village Hangulgund, 25 km from Anantnag en-route Kokernag (known for its gardens, pristine fresh water springs and rainbow trout farms). The shrine has besides a Samadhi Sathaal, constructed by the followers of Swami Merza Kak after his Nirvana, a temple, a Dharamshala, number of Chinar and other trees and some landed property. The Samadhi, on which a tree has come up, is enclosed on all the four sides. The devotees pay obeisance to the great saint at his Samadhi.
In his honour, his
followers have created a trust and built another Ashram, named Swami
Merza Kak Peeth Ashram, at Nagrota, Jammu and perform Hawan on Jyestha
Krishna Pakh Dwitiya at the shrine every year.
NARANTHAL
is located on old Muzzarrarabad road about 4 km below Baramulla on the
right bank of Vitasta in an isolated place. Situated at a short
distance from the village is a small shrine which is said to have stood
in a tank, though today it is on dry ground and no traces of a tank are
visible. There is a spring nearby. Only the superstructure of the temple
is above ground. It is built of a plain block of slate which is now
very much the worse for wear. There is only one arched entrance on the
east side. Traces of stone floor are visible inside.
The topmost stone of the roof has a circular mortice in the center which was originally intended to hold the finial which crowned the apex of the pyramid.
The topmost stone of the roof has a circular mortice in the center which was originally intended to hold the finial which crowned the apex of the pyramid.
GANGNOOR, BARAMULLA
GANGNOOR also called Guptganga is an ancient Holy spring at Mohalla Rajghat, near Koti Tirtha, Baramulla. The spring is 6 feet wide and 10 feet long. The spring receives water from seven springs of Gosain Teng existing above at an elevation on the small hillock. The shrine has about 8 kanal of land attached to it. Devotees from around the area used to have a bath in the spring and proceed to Koti Tirtha for offering their puja/prayers.
Devotees congregate at the shrine on Kartik Purnima (15th day of Moonlit fortnight of Kartik i.e. October-November).
GURDUWARA PARAMPILLA, URI (BARAMULLA)
Gurudwara Sri Chevin Patshahi Sahib, Parampilla is situated in village Parampilla, 24 km from Baramulla en-route Uri, on the right bank of Vitasta. Sri Guru Hargobind Singh Ji has visited this place along with Jahangir. Guru Sahib stayed here for some time and further proceeded to Muzaffrabad.
Guru Ji proceeded to Uri via Village Khatnayar, Peernian and stayed near Sultan Dhaki. A plate of stone is still preserved in Gurdwara, on which five Muslim faqirs (viz: peer Gulsher, per Bhur Sultan, Peer Rangi Iman, Peer Noor Nihal, and Peer Abdul Gaffoor) had religious discourses with Guru Ji. In the end, Guru Ji proceeded towards 'Dolanga' Village. The footprints of Guru Ji's horse are still preserved near 'Dolanga' site.
GANGNOOR also called Guptganga is an ancient Holy spring at Mohalla Rajghat, near Koti Tirtha, Baramulla. The spring is 6 feet wide and 10 feet long. The spring receives water from seven springs of Gosain Teng existing above at an elevation on the small hillock. The shrine has about 8 kanal of land attached to it. Devotees from around the area used to have a bath in the spring and proceed to Koti Tirtha for offering their puja/prayers.
Devotees congregate at the shrine on Kartik Purnima (15th day of Moonlit fortnight of Kartik i.e. October-November).
GURDUWARA PARAMPILLA, URI (BARAMULLA)
Gurudwara Sri Chevin Patshahi Sahib, Parampilla is situated in village Parampilla, 24 km from Baramulla en-route Uri, on the right bank of Vitasta. Sri Guru Hargobind Singh Ji has visited this place along with Jahangir. Guru Sahib stayed here for some time and further proceeded to Muzaffrabad.
Guru Ji proceeded to Uri via Village Khatnayar, Peernian and stayed near Sultan Dhaki. A plate of stone is still preserved in Gurdwara, on which five Muslim faqirs (viz: peer Gulsher, per Bhur Sultan, Peer Rangi Iman, Peer Noor Nihal, and Peer Abdul Gaffoor) had religious discourses with Guru Ji. In the end, Guru Ji proceeded towards 'Dolanga' Village. The footprints of Guru Ji's horse are still preserved near 'Dolanga' site.
In 1936-37 A.D., a small Gurdwara was constructed by the Devotees of
Slamabad Dardkot, etc. Sardar Narian Singh of Slamabad, Sardar Gurmukh
Singh, Sardar Damodar Singh engineer, and other Gursikhs helped in the
construction. Sahajdhari Sikhs, Brahmans, and Muslim Sayeeds visited
regularly to Gurdwara for blessings, Gopal Singh Granthi of Chandanwari
traveled 20 km daily to perform duties of Granthi regularly. Baisakhi
and Guru Har Gobind Sahib's birthday are celebrated with great
enthusiasm. A small bridge constructed on the river Jehlum in 1970-71,
connects the Gurdwara with the main road.
Gurdawara Nangali Sahib, Poonch
Gurudwara Nangali Sahib is situated in the lap of a picturesque hill and on the bank of Drungali Nallah, about 4 km from Poonch town. It is one of the oldest shrines of the Sikhs in Northern India.
The Gurdwara was established by Thakur Bhai Mela Singh Ji (Fourth successor of Sant Bhai Feru Singh Ji) in the 1803 AD. Maharaja Ranjit Singh visited Gurudwara Nangali Sahib in 1814 and was very much impressed by it. He attached an estate with the Gurudwara sahib. He again attached four villages with the Gurudwara Sahib in the year 1823.
Gurdawara Nangali Sahib, Poonch
Gurudwara Nangali Sahib is situated in the lap of a picturesque hill and on the bank of Drungali Nallah, about 4 km from Poonch town. It is one of the oldest shrines of the Sikhs in Northern India.
The Gurdwara was established by Thakur Bhai Mela Singh Ji (Fourth successor of Sant Bhai Feru Singh Ji) in the 1803 AD. Maharaja Ranjit Singh visited Gurudwara Nangali Sahib in 1814 and was very much impressed by it. He attached an estate with the Gurudwara sahib. He again attached four villages with the Gurudwara Sahib in the year 1823.
In 1947, the original building was completely burnt by Kabalis and with
the efforts of the local Sangat, the Gurudwara was reconstructed by
Mahant Bachitar Singh Ji.
KHARDUNGLA TOP [LEH] (Height: 18,380 feet).
The pass on the Ladakh Range is north of Leh and is the gateway to the Shyok and Nubra valleys. The Siachen Glacier lays partway up the latter valley. Built-in 1976, it was opened to public motor vehicles in 1988. 40 km from Leh, Khardungla is the highest motorable all-weather road in the world.
Khardong La is historically important as it lies on the major caravan route from Leh to Kashgar in Central Asia. About 10,000 horses and camels used to take the route annually, and a small population of Bactrian camels can still be seen at Hunder, in the area north of the pass.
KHARDUNGLA TOP [LEH] (Height: 18,380 feet).
The pass on the Ladakh Range is north of Leh and is the gateway to the Shyok and Nubra valleys. The Siachen Glacier lays partway up the latter valley. Built-in 1976, it was opened to public motor vehicles in 1988. 40 km from Leh, Khardungla is the highest motorable all-weather road in the world.
Khardong La is historically important as it lies on the major caravan route from Leh to Kashgar in Central Asia. About 10,000 horses and camels used to take the route annually, and a small population of Bactrian camels can still be seen at Hunder, in the area north of the pass.
During harsh winters temperature at Khardungla goes down to Minus 40 degrees Celsius.
SHARDA TEMPLE, VILLAGE GUCHI, KUPWARA.
Sharda Temple, also known as Shardibal, is dedicated to Mother Sharda. The shrine is located on the main Handwara-Guchi-Kupwara road at village Guchi, just 6 km from Kupwara. The shrine has besides the Sharda temple, a huge chunk of land attached to it.
The Goddess of the Divine Lute (Veena). She represents original knowledge transcending all limitations. Sharda is an epithet of Saraswati; the Goddess of learning. She grants boons. Her effulgence is the means of obtaining final emancipation…Bhavani Nama Sahasra Stutih शारदा वरदा देवी मोक्षधारत्री सरस्वती (Sharda Varada Devi Mookshdhartri Saraswati) is a hymn meaning Sharda grants the boon of emancipation through wisdom.
NANDKISHORE, village Villgam. This village is about 8 km from Kupwara.
In 1948, a pious man Pt. Raghav Ram Bhat father of Swami Anandji Maharaj migrated to this village from Vaskura, Sumbal in search of his livelihood. Later, after his settlement in the village Villgam he got married to Pt. Savram’s daughter from Sumbal village. This pious lady was a daily visitor to the shrine of Nandkishore of Sumbal.
After her marriage, this pious lady went daily (by foot) to Sumbal to pay obeisance to Nandkishor. One night Nandkishore came in a dream and directed Pandit Raghav Ram to go to Villgam to prevent her wife from coming to Sumbal. The next day Nandkishore appeared under a willow tree in the form of a black boulder in Villgam near a stream. A Yagna was performed on Chetra Purnima and this black boulder along with a Shivlingam was installed near the willow. Later Swami Anandji Maharaj constructed a temple at this spot and after few days a spring oozed from there to the surprise of everyone.
Ragyna Shrine at village Kachwa Muqam, Wagoora, Baramulla, is situated on a slope with spring and ten poplar trees. Pandits of this village used to worship and offer Kshir (thickened milk) in the spring. Shri Abdul Rashid Lone a retired Lecturer who is presently residing near the shrine disclosed that he has seen a white cat with earrings many a time, going towards the spring in wee hours. He further disclosed that a lion visits this shrine every Thursday. Shri Abdul Rashid Lone further disclosed that some persons vandalized this shrine and in a month they were reduced from riches to rags.
Sharda Temple, also known as Shardibal, is dedicated to Mother Sharda. The shrine is located on the main Handwara-Guchi-Kupwara road at village Guchi, just 6 km from Kupwara. The shrine has besides the Sharda temple, a huge chunk of land attached to it.
The Goddess of the Divine Lute (Veena). She represents original knowledge transcending all limitations. Sharda is an epithet of Saraswati; the Goddess of learning. She grants boons. Her effulgence is the means of obtaining final emancipation…Bhavani Nama Sahasra Stutih शारदा वरदा देवी मोक्षधारत्री सरस्वती (Sharda Varada Devi Mookshdhartri Saraswati) is a hymn meaning Sharda grants the boon of emancipation through wisdom.
NANDKISHORE, village Villgam. This village is about 8 km from Kupwara.
In 1948, a pious man Pt. Raghav Ram Bhat father of Swami Anandji Maharaj migrated to this village from Vaskura, Sumbal in search of his livelihood. Later, after his settlement in the village Villgam he got married to Pt. Savram’s daughter from Sumbal village. This pious lady was a daily visitor to the shrine of Nandkishore of Sumbal.
After her marriage, this pious lady went daily (by foot) to Sumbal to pay obeisance to Nandkishor. One night Nandkishore came in a dream and directed Pandit Raghav Ram to go to Villgam to prevent her wife from coming to Sumbal. The next day Nandkishore appeared under a willow tree in the form of a black boulder in Villgam near a stream. A Yagna was performed on Chetra Purnima and this black boulder along with a Shivlingam was installed near the willow. Later Swami Anandji Maharaj constructed a temple at this spot and after few days a spring oozed from there to the surprise of everyone.
Ragyna Shrine at village Kachwa Muqam, Wagoora, Baramulla, is situated on a slope with spring and ten poplar trees. Pandits of this village used to worship and offer Kshir (thickened milk) in the spring. Shri Abdul Rashid Lone a retired Lecturer who is presently residing near the shrine disclosed that he has seen a white cat with earrings many a time, going towards the spring in wee hours. He further disclosed that a lion visits this shrine every Thursday. Shri Abdul Rashid Lone further disclosed that some persons vandalized this shrine and in a month they were reduced from riches to rags.
Kachwa Muqam (Lat. 34-10 and Long. 74-28) is a village in the Kruhin
Pargana, situated on the right bank of the Ningili stream, about 19 km
from Baramulla. Ningili stream is formed by the glacier waters from
Afarwat Mountain and waters from Alpather spring. The stream after
passing through Gulmarg and adjoining villages join Wular Lake. This
village is situated on the slope of the Karewa (Wudar). 15 well off
Kashmiri Pandit families were residing in this village.
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