SHADIPORA OR THE PRAYAG OF KASHMIR

SHADIPORA OR THE PRAYAG OF KASHMIR

"The wise say that by bathing in the confluence of Sindhu and vitasta especially on the full moon day of the month of Prausthapada , one obtains the merit of the performance of Ashavmedha ."

(Neelamat Purana verse 1384 )

 As Jhelum moves downwards to join lake Wular , it meets  three  important streams  .  The first One is known  as LIDDER which joins VITASTA  near khannabal , next comes  VESHOV  which joins VITASTA  ( Jhelum ) near Bijbihara . This confluence is known as SANGAM in Kashmir .   The  third confluence occurs at Shadipora where SINDH  stream joins Vitasta ( Jhelum  ) and this confluence is known as known  PRAYAG . kashmiri Pandits attach more importance to the Confluence at SHADIPORA where SINDH stream joins VITASTA . Kindly do not confuse the Mighty INDUS with Sindh Stream Both are different . One being a mighty river originating from Kailash Mansarovar and going to Pakistan via Ladakh while the other being a small stream originating from inner Himalayas somewhere near Drass and joining VITASTA at Sahdipopra near SUMBAL . Shadipora is about 21 Kms from Srinagar city. It is approached through  Srinagar -Baramulla Road . At NARBAL one has to take the right turn and go about 10 kms via the BANDIPORA road to reach this village . To reach the exact confluence point boats are readily available at Shadipora Ghats on vitasta.

Kashmiri Pandits believe that  VITASTA at Shadipora is full of holy water brought from all the mountains ,  lakes and springs of Kashmir including   Naraan Naag , Gangabal  , Kounsernag  and Shesh Nag.  I need to elaborate a little..

The origin of VESHOV is KOUNSERNAAG lake in Pir Panjal Range . Kounsernag is also considered the abode of SHIVA . VESHOV  passes through Aharabal , Shopian , Khudwani and Arwani area before it joins VITASTA at  Bijbihara . Then LIDDER  brings water of SHESHNAAG  from  Pahalghaam side  and it joins VITASTA  at khannabal . The SINDH stream again brings water from Panjtarini  from the holy Amar Nath cave and then adds to it the water from the holy shrine of Kheer Bhawani brought by Tulamula Nallah. TULAMULA  Nallah joins the SINDH stream a little above the SHADIPORA  .

 The water of KANAK VAHINI ( as mentioned in Neelmat Purana and Rajtarangini of kalhana ) or the present day KREINK NADI  which flows to the south of the temple complex of Naran Naag is formed by two tributaries flowing out from two lakes below Harmukh . These lakes are known as NUNDKOL  ( Referred to as lake Kalodka in Neelmat Purana and Rajtarangini ) and GANGBAL  ( Referred to as Uttarmanasa in Neelmat Purana and Rajtarangini .Kalhana mentions Harmukutganga or Harmukha or Nandikheshtra or Nandisa repeatedly in Taranga I  canto 36,113,148  and  Taranga II canto 169 and 170 ).KREINK NADI   joins  SINDH stream  near KANGAN in Kashmir . Finally Sindh stream also merges with VITASTA at Shadipora   .

Once you understand this blending of Holy waters of all the lakes and springs of Kashmir at SHADIPORA you also realize the  sanctity and importance of this TIRTHA. Kashmiri Pandits call it PRAYAG. They used to consign the ASHES  of their dearest and loved ones to the Holy Waters of PRAYAG at Shadipora .
Kashmiri Pandits consider  the Sindh stream as  sacred  GANGA and   Vitasta  to be another name of river YAMUNA. This belief is also supported by verses 305-306 -307 appearing in NEELMATA PURANA. i quote the verses.

" Bound by affection , Tapana's daughter , the goddess GANGA , due to great respect and devotion for the sage , augumented with her own part the VITASTA , the best of the rivers , the destroyer of all sins . The sindhu should be regraded as GANGA and the Vitasta should be regarded as the Yamuna .The place where the confluence of these two , should be regarded as equal to PRAYAGA.. " 

 There is a Chinar Tree that stands on a small island exactly at the Confluence spot,. It is surrounded by water on all sides. This is known as PRAYAG CHINAR . One has to come to this CHINAR TREE in a Boat and go up some steps to have a commanding view of the CONFLUENCE . A SHIVA lingam kept under the shade of this CHINAR TREE since ages is also worshipped ..This chinar Tree is considered Mystical and sacred by kashmiri Pandits . Even if the river is in flood , the Tree never sinks . It is said that with any rise in water level around it, the Chinar Tree, mysteriously rises in height . Kashmiris call this spot as PRAYAAGICH  BOONIE .

About this Chinar Tree and the Confluence , Dr Shashi Shekhar Toshkhani adds ..

“ Kashmiri Pandits believe it to be a magical tree which "neither becomes taller, nor shorter, nor bigger" -- "Prayaagachy boony na thadaan, na loktaan, na badaan" as the Kashmiri proverb says. The Pandits believe that the tree has remained of the same size for centuries. .The Chinar tree of Prayaag stands on a small island -- "just big enough to pitch your tent on" in the midst of the confluence. .As Aurel Stein has pointed out, the Nilamata Purana identifies the Sindhu River with the Ganga and the Vitasta with the Yamuna. That is why the confluence has been given the name Prayaag : "Ganga Sindus tu vijneya Vitasta Yamuna Tatha."

Across the river there is a Bhairava temple in the area called NARAYAN BAGH.
                                                                          

While moving in this area in a boat , I could feel having placed myself to the caring openness of  river VITASTA. The feeling is similar to the boat ride of PRAYAG at ALLAHABAD. I was pensive and thoughtful in this ride as my memory rolled back 30 years. I vividly remember drenching myself in heavy rains  while consigning the ashes  of my Dear father to the  holy waters of  this confluence . Can one forget this place ?


DASHHAR   AT   SHADIPORA  ( Added in June 2016 )

According to Hindu Mythology, DASHHAR  at Shadipora takes place when there is a Celestial configuration of 10 planets .  This particular combination takes place after every  75 years .Last DASHHAR was observed at this place in 1941 and the next fell  due in June 2016.
In June 2016, about  10 thousand Pilgrims participated in the  DASHHAR  held at Shadipora.. The pilgrims who happened to be  mostly kashmiri Pandits , had come from various corners of the country .This happened to be the first Dashhar of 21st century. Ganderbal  District administration had made arrangements for safety and smooth conduct of this Holy  Festival. .To oversee the arrangements , a Dashhar Festival Committee was constituted.This committee was  headed by well known astrologer cum religious leader Pandit  omkar Nath Shastri duly assisted by prominent persons drawn from Kashmiri Pandit  community.

In 1941 , Maharaja Hari Singh the then ruler of the undivided state of Jammu And Kashmir personally attended the Festivities at Shadipora . Elaborate arrangements were also made by Maharaja's Government  for Pilgrims. As per Records about 1 lakh Pilgrims visited Shadipora for DASHHAR of 1941.

This DASHHAR at Shadipora is something like  Maha Kumbh  at Prayaag Allahabad . Pilgrims from entire state would participate in the DASHHAR at Shadipora  . They would take a dip in water  at Holy confluence of Sindhu and Vitasta apart from performing SHRAADA of their nears and dears who were no more in this world.

(Some Photographs of DASHAAR 2016 are uploaded below. For these photographs , i remain Indebted to Dr Advaitvadini  Koul and  Sri Utpal koul from Rainawari who clicked these photographs and participated in the  June 2016 DASHHAR at Shadipora ... )
                                                                 

(Autar Mota  )

PS
Apart from DASHHAR 2026 photographs , other  photographs uploaded by me  show  exact confluence point  , Shadipora Ghats , Narayan Bagh , The lingam at Prayag Chinar , and the Confluence views of VITASTA and SINDH  clicked  by me in June 2009 .

From top, 7th and 8th picture   are the pictures of exact point of confluence of Vitasta and Sindh .9th picture is of Shadipora Ghats . 3rd picture is the NARAYAN BAGH TEMPLE. The boat view is from Prayag Chinar . The Lingam is at Prayag Chinar . From Top ,  Two views of Prayag Chinar can also be seen in picture 1 and 6 uploaded by me.