Kashmir is the land of Rishi Kashyap, a land that has given us Kashmir Shaivism. That is the place Acharya Abhinavagupta as soon as lived. It was as soon as stuffed with Kashmir temples and greater than temples, the devotees who prayed and lived near the divine.
It has been by turbulent occasions and which have impacted the temples. Their devotees pushed away, they laid in abandonment. With the peace slowly making its means again within the valley, the vacationers are again, and hopefully the Kashmiris will likely be again too.
Pilgrims by no means left the valley, they continued to go to it yatras like Amarnath Yatra. In my view, it is a thread that stored Kashmir certain to India like no different.
Should See Kashmir Temples In & Round Srinagar
I had the chance to go to Srinagar in June 2024, and I promptly used this to go to as many temples as I can in and round Srinagar. So, here’s what I noticed in 2-3 days and you can even simply see them. They don’t seem to be too far and will be simply visited alongside together with your different sightseeing exercise.
Shankaracharya Temple on Gopadri Hill in Srinagar
Positioned on the highest of the hill now referred to as Shankaracharya, overlooking the Shikara laden Dal Lake is the well-known Shankaracharya Temple. The true title of the temple is Jyeshtheshwara Temple. It’s devoted to Shiva as Jyeshtheshwara. The hill was initially referred to as Gopadri Hill.
As per 12th CE creator Kalhana, the temple dates to at the least 4th BCE.
It’s believed that the hill and the temple have been visited by Adi Shankaracharya.
Shankaracharya Go to
The story goes that Shankaracharya ji had his first rendezvous with the Devi on this hill. He was drained and sitting underneath a tree. A Kashmiri girl handed by and he requested her to offer him water and meals. She then challenged him to do something with out Shakti. That is when Shankaracharya realised that even Shiva cannot do something with out Shakti, so how can he.
He then went on to write down the extraordinary poem Saundarya Lahari in honor of the Devi together with many different Stotras. After coming back from Kashmir, he setup his 4 ashramas in 4 corners of India. First of those was Sharada Peetha at Sringeri on the banks of Tunga River in current day Karnataka. Keep in mind Sharada Devi is named Kashmirpurvasini or the one who dwells in Kashmir.
Jyeshtha Devi Temple at base of Gopadri Hill
Positioned very near the Raj Bhavan and military space, this historic temple in wooden is gorgeous. A tiny temple, surrounded by water on all sides that’s considered from a mandapa that’s not actually related to the garbhagriha.
Jyeshtha Devi is the elder sister of Lakshmi, often known as Alakshmi.
The temple complicated that’s on the slope of the hill, has many small temples. There’s a Shiva temple the place a daily worship is carried out. There’s one other small Shiva temple that you just see after climbing a number of steps. A Sharika Devi temple has been re-created right here, and you’ll see the Shila being embellished with cash.
The campus is gorgeous. You’re feeling peace as you stroll round. You see some historic stone murtis, a few of that are nonetheless being worshiped. The board across the temple tells me that it is a steadily visited and worshiped temple.
Sharika Devi Temple on Hari Parbat in Srinagar
Sharika Devi is the presiding goddess of Srinagar. The town is actually named after her. Her temple is situated bang in the midst of the outdated metropolis on high of Hariparbat.
The temple overlooks town of Srinagar. It stands out in my reminiscence for the enormous Sri Chakra carved on the massive rock. This rock with Sri Chakra is worshiped right here.
Learn my detailed submit on Sharika Devi Temple and take heed to this episode on Hariparbat Parikrama on Detours Podcast.
Historic Ganesh Temple
It’s situated on the base of the Hariparbat. That is the temple from which the Hariparbat Parikrama began. The Ganesha is within the type of an enormous rock. Its pure form is within the type of Ganapati.
It’s not simple to find this temple, and you could want some native assist.
Pandrethan Temple at Badami Bagh in Srinagar
Pandrethan was as soon as a village the place the nice Bhakti poet Laldeh was born. Immediately it is part of the army cantonement, and exactly because of this, a really nicely maintained and nicely worshiped temple. You want Military permission to go to this temple.
Devoted to Shiva, this 10th CE temple is believed to be constructed by Meruvardhana, a minister of the king Partha. Some information name it Vishnu Meruvardhana temple, however the picture of Lakulish type of Shiva on the Lalaat or brow of the temple clearly establishes it as a Shiva temple.
The temple structure is a typical Kashmiri one. A small sq. temple, rather less than 18 toes in dimension, is surrounded by water throughout. I suppose, the supply of water will need to have a pure spring as they’re present in abundance within the Kashmir valley. You could use a wood bridge to go contained in the stone temple.
The Shivalinga has been just lately put in. Nevertheless, the area is historic and the serene vitality will be simply felt right here.
I’m grateful to the Indian Military, who helped me carry out Abhishek at this historic temple. Nevertheless, extra grateful to them for preserving the temple superbly and holding it practising. A pandit ji from UP helped me carry out the Abhishek.
Martand Solar Temple close to Anantnag
Kashmir will get its title from Rishi Kashyap, who lived right here as soon as upon a time. Possibly he continues to reside right here, even in the present day. Solar or Aditya is his son from his spouse Aditi. So, Kashmir in a means is the house of Solar.
Martand is among the names of the Solar, because it was born from a Mrit Anda or a useless Solar.
Learn my detailed submit on Martand Solar Temple in Kashmir
If you go to Martand Solar temple from Srinagar, you have to additionally cease on the Solar Temple at Mattan. This can be a temple complicated subsequent to an enormous pond, which remains to be practising. It’s situated about 5 kms from the traditional temple.
Awantiswami Temple at Awantipora
Positioned very near Srinagar Anantnag Street and on the best way to Martand Solar Temple.
The ruins of the traditional Vishnu temple are enclosed and guarded by ASI. The temple was inbuilt 9th CE by king Avantiverman for Vishnu. You’ll be able to visualize the grandness of the temple as you stroll down the steps resulting in the ruins of the temple.
The carvings listed here are higher preserved than the Martand Temple. On a few of the panels you may see Avantiverman together with his two wives and sculptures of Kamdeva. You’ll be able to see Navagraha panels. Partitions give a normal impression of being profusely carved.
The hall that goes across the periphery of the temple would have contained small temples. You’ll be able to see several types of pillar designs which have managed to outlive invasions, Solar, and snow.
Locals name this temple Pandava Lari and imagine that Pandavas constructed it throughout their exile. The assumption is that such grand temples will be constructed solely by somebody as divine because the Pandavas.
Kheer Bhawali Temple at Tulmul, Ganderbal
This temple is situated north of Srinagar however can simply be carried out in few hours. It is among the strongest temples I discovered of all of the Kashmir temples I visited in Kashmir.
Learn our detailed submit on Kheer Bhawani
Sinking Shiva Temple close to Manasbal Lake
On the fringe of the Manasbal lake, just some kms from Kheer Bhawani Temple, is that this small temple. All you see is the Shikhara that seems to be sinking.
The temple appears just like the Pandrethan temple and is devoted to Shiva. You’ll be able to see the tank throughout.
Board subsequent to the temple by the way quotes from Wikipedia as an alternative of genuine sources.
I’m certain there are lots of extra temples. I’d write about them as and once I get a possibility to go to them.
Journey Ideas for Kashmir Temples
You are able to do all of the Srinagar metropolis temples in at some point.
Do Martand, Mattan and Awantiswami temple collectively and in your return, you may cease at Pandrethan temple.
Kheer Bhawani and Manasbal temples will be carried out collectively.
All temples are small and have been under no circumstances crowded once I visited.
