SARISHORE (ISHBER)

SARISHORE (ISHBER)
The eastern shore of the Dal Lake is full of springs.The Hindus attach some sanctity to almost all these springs and hence in olden days a large number of temples was built and gardens laid out round about them by the kings, their queens and their ministers.The most important of these springs is Gupta Ganga, situated in Ishibor village. Ishibor is the corrupt form of Shri Ishan Bror. Shri Ishan was the spritual tutor of King Sandimati (34 B.C.-A.D. 13), and 'Bror' is probably derived from 'bairau'-a god. It was here that King Sandimati built a temple in honour of his guru, Shri Ishan, and laid out gardens. Later on his example was followed by Bad Shah (A.D. 142O-1470). The spring is sacred to the Hindus who come here to bathe on Baisaki or New Year's Day. It is also visited on Shri Krishna's birthday.

There is a peak (Cave) Dedicated to Lord Shiva called Sorshwari (Sorishore) just above the spring which some of the pilgrims climb to gain merit. There is also an Institute of Kashmiri Shaivism established by Dr Karan Singh Sole Trustee Dharmarth Trust where Sunday classes on Kashmiri Shaivism are held by Swami Laxman Ji-a great scholar and living exponent of Kashmiri Shaivism. His ashram functions as a light house to spiritualism.