Kashmir witnessed a flurry of tourists after Covid pandemic was over. With 2 Crore Tourists visiting in Less than 6 months. an approximate 1 Lac Tourists every Day-Dal Lake, Nishat-Shalimar Garden, Pahalgam & Gulmarg being the Top Visited Places. If you have visited Kashmir in the past, you would have certainly visited these places. But did you visit the Ancient powerful religious and historical temples that still exist in Kashmir despite multiple holocausts since the last 700 Years.

Background
Kashmir (Kaśmīrā) has various other names like SatiSar सतिसर(the lake of devi Sati), SatiDesh सतिदेश(the land of devi Sati), SharadaDesh शारदादेश(The Land of Devi Sharada), Tapobhumi तपोभूमि (The land of Tapasya), ReshVaer रेश-वअर(The Garden of Rishis)

Today we will see important historical Ancient Powerful Temples of Kashmir which still exist, and History couldn’t erase it fully. This Article is a perfect trip planner for Kashmir that clubs scintillating beauty with fascinating Ancient Temples- lesser known to outer world.

Let’s first start with reciting this Stotram of Devi Sharda (Maa Saraswati), the Goddess of Kashmir

नमस्ते शारदे देवी काश्मीरपुरवासिनि
त्वामहं प्रार्थये नित्यं विद्यादानं च देहि मे॥

I bow down to you, Devi Sharda (Ma Saraswati), the one who resides in Kashmirpur (the area of Kashmir)
I regularly pray to you, and thus bestow on me the gift of Knowledge.

There are three main versions which can be considered to be the Origin of Name Kashmir: Etymological, Historical, Religious.

Etymological: Nityanand Misra has clearly deciphered the name Kaśmīrā as a magnificient place worth going.
(कश्+म्+ईर = कश्मीर) from the Rules in Unadi Sutras. Mahabharat mentions words as Kashmiri, Kashmiraka, Kashmir-Mandala and Panini’s Ashtadhyayi also uses word as Kashmira

Historical: Nilmata Purana mentions that “Prajapati is called ‘ka’, and Kashyapa is also Prajapati. Built by him this country will be called Kaśmīrā

Religious: However, finally the name Kashmir boils down to name Kaśmīrā a form of Umā or Maa Pārvatī.

Please read till End To know some unknown or less explored Historical places and Powerful Temples of Kashmir

Kashmir is a place of many Shaktipeeths. Infact in Kashmir, you will find many Places called Devi-bal देवी-बल . Kashmir is also associated with Trika – Para, Para-Apara, Apara forms of Shakti which is considered the basis of Kashmiri Shaivism.

It is said that Pratyaksha Pramana (Eyewitness) is greater than Shabd Pramana (Documented Witness). So Today let’s see these living Historical Monuments, which you must visit Next Time you Go to Kashmir. It is a Complete Guide for you to see real Kashmir

Day-1 : Hari Parbat , Shankaracharya Temple, Zyestha Devi Temple
Club with Dal Lake, Nishat-Shalimar Garden

Hari Parbat : Less than 6kms from Dal-Lake. This is highly revered place of Kashmiri Hindus.

Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/vHCoKKyg7Q6tyHpS8

Significance: Also known as Chakreshwar Temple, this place the Godess herself resides as Sri Yantra of Tripursundari. Hari in Kashmiri means a Bird (मैना) and Parvat means Hill. It is said that the Ashta bhuja Maa Durga Took form of a Bird (हअरि) and with pebble in her mouth and grew in size with the pebble so much that the pebble became as big as a Hill. This Pebble was then dropped on the Demon who was in the Satisar Lake to kill him under the enormous pressure of the Hill. Thereafter the Goddess manifested in the Form of Shila which is in the Form of a Yantra from Top View. This place has high importance in Shaivism
The City of Srinagar also derives its name from SriChakra

Zoom the Pictures to know the details

ShankaraCharya Temple: Less than 14 kms from Dal-Lake.

Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/vbEcs6Bwmwv9qd5P7

Significance: Believed to be built King Gopaditya in 4th Century B.C. and later repaired by Lalitaditya Muktapida in 8th Century AD, this is believed to be the Oldest continuing temple of Kashmir. Originally known as Jyeshteshwara (Shiva) Temple, after the visit of JagadGuru adiShankarcharya, this Temple became famous as ShankaraCharya Temple. This is one of the places where adiShankaracharya meditated. The Cave where he meditated is still present there.

Jyestha/Zestha Devi Devi Or Zeathyar : Less than 8kms of Dal-Lake and 2kms from HariNiwas

Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/a4SFcMAdXoWaiNLz8

Believed to be the Elder Sister of Ma Lakshmi Jyestha ज्येष्ठ देवी . It is very near to Gupkar (Guptagraha)- a Place where Asurs hid Mata Lakshmi after Ocean Churning and to free her, the powerful ज्येष्ठ देवी was brought in by Bhagwan Shiva along with Vira Vaitala. This temple is very important for Kashmiri Hindus. A very powerful goddess especially for the well being of children and mankind. It held great importance in Ancient Occult and Tantrik Practices.

Day-2 : Mata Ksheer Bhawani Tulmul , Manasbal Temple
Club with Visit to Manasbal Lake and Asia’s Largest Fresh Water Lake- Wullar Lake

Mata Ksheer Bhawani Temple – TullaMulla, Dst Ganderbal – 24kms from Dal Lake Srinagar

Google Map- https://goo.gl/maps/5uTgGsP8EH5DTsd56

Significance: It is said Maa Ragnya Devi along with her 360 Nagas, came to this place from Srilanka and resided in this Spring on a 1000 hooded Nagaraja. This is a very auspicious and mystic place. The mother likes Milk क्षीर as offering, hence called Ksheer Bhavani. Whenever something Good or Bad Event of High Magnitude has to happen in Valley the Waters change its colours from Light Green/Pink/Milky to Black /Dark Red. Zoom into read the complete Story of this Highly revered place. No one after Consuming Non-Vegetarian food or Alcohol should enter this power place. This will bring great misfortune on him/her.

Manasbal Temple : 9kms from Mata Ksheer Bhavani Temple is the submerged Manasbal Temple

Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/coXMNewiVzJUXnQF8

Significance- The Temple is believed to be constructed in 8th or 9th Century by Avantiverman or Shankaraverman. Adjacent to it is the great Manasbal lake which has various amenities from a great outing. The lake is considered to be the gem of all Lakes Lush with Lotuses, Birds and aquatic life. 40kms, 1 hour drive is Wullar Lake- Asias Largest Fresh water lake.

Day-3 : Martand Sun Temple, Mattan Temple, Avantipora Temple
Club with visit to Pampore Saffron Fields

Martand Sun Temple : 71kms from Dal Lake Srinagar, 8 kms from Anantnag.

Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/eRrHTJffRkAeAkNu7

Significance: 1200 Year Old Temple, Built by the great Lalitaditya Muktapida in 8th Century AD., this monumental temple of extreme architecture, dedicated to Sun god, and various dieties like Maa Ganga, Yamuna Saraswati , Bhagvan Vishnu and Shiva was destroyed by Sikandar Shah Miri. Locals still call it Pandav Lairi (पांडव लअरि) , believing that the gaint stones were assembled by Pandavas during exile and later Lalitaditya Muktapida rebuilt it. Zoom in to see various Carvings

Mattan Temple: Just 3.5km from Martan Sun Temple above.

Google Map- https://goo.gl/maps/DZWEdkq5wF3LfUKVA

Significance: Mattan Temple Or Sri Martand Temple is also dedicated to Sun God and a very important pilgrimage for Kashmiri Hindus. It is especially special for the Fresh water spring which has bountiful of Fish that are not allowed to be killed or even to be fed. In the same Complex is Gurdwara Mattan Sahib, believed to be visited by Guru Nanak Dev ji during third Udasi. Hindus from Mattan only had gone to Guru Teg bahadur to save them from atrocities.

Avantipora Avantishwara Temple : 35kms from Martand Sun Temple Towards Gulmarg

Google: https://goo.gl/maps/js13EgC2PJifimLq9

Significance : This 1100 years old temple, Also Known as Avantishwara or AvantiSwami Temple, is dedicated to Bhagwan Shiva is an Excellence of Temple Architechure. This 9th Century Temple is built by King Avantivarmana in 9th Century

Day-4 : Shiva Temple Gulmarg and Datta Temple and Magical Matka of Bheema, Uri-Baramulla

Mohinishwar Shivalaya Shiv Mandir Gulmarg: 80 kms from Avantipora Temple mentioned above, this Temple is located in the Heart of Gulmarg at a small hilltop.

Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/nmzBDcsxB5cTnsig9

Significance: Not Many Tourists Know that the Real Name of GulMarg is Gauri Marg– गौरी मार्ग – The Path on which Maa Gauri walked, and there is an Ancient Temple of Shiva at hill top in Gulmarg worshipped by Maa Gauri herself.

Datta Temple & Magical Matka of Bheema Situated 70kms from Gulmarg in Uri, Baramulla.

Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/p6Vx4cJetHkTBWbc6

Significance: Baramulla is derived from VarahaMoola (Boar’s Molar). Locals still Call Baramulla as Varmul (वरमुल) . This is the place where it is believed that the Varah Avatar inserted its Molar into surrounding Hills of Satisar Lake to Drain out the Waters. It was important to expose demon Jalodbhava of Satisar (who couldn’t be defeated inside water) to Tusks to Take out Bhudevi immersed in Eternal Waters. It is believed Stisar was source of River Saraswati, and after Satisar Drained off, River Saraswati Started Drying up and in trace to go nearer to the source as the river was driving up in course many Saraswat Brahmins added to Kashmir.

In Uri in Baramulla you will find Datta Temple built by the Pandavas during exile and has a Magical Matka of Bheema in which Water Level never Recedes how so much water you take out of it (Read the complete Story by zooming on the picture). Originally believed built by Pandavas, this temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu was desecrated in 1947 and many idols stolen/broken.

OTHER MISCELLANEOUS EXPLORATIONS

ShankarGaurishvara Temple (शंकर-गौरीश्वर ) : 35 kms from Dal- Lake Srinagar NH1A, Pattan, Baramulla

Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/RzAGdztiNe7r8ojJ7

Significance: Dedicated to Bhagwan Shiva, Built by King Shankarvarman (883 to 902 AD), of the Utpala Dynasty. The 9 circular holes in three rows might have something to do with Magnetic Levitation of प्राण प्रतिष्ठित मूर्ति . Pattan was the capital of Empire of King Shankarvarman . He was the son of King Avantivarman, who built the Avantiswami Temple mentioned above.

Sugandhesha Temple, Pattan (सुगंधेश ) : 33 kms from Dal- Lake , 10kms from ShankarGaurishvara Temple

Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/vpQqAVaUUXoyTCkU9

Significance: Built by the Queen Sugandha , wife of King Shankarvarman, the temple is dedicated to Sugandhesh i.e. the ईश of Sugandha (ie Shiva or Vishnu), the grand temple stands in ruins. The Architecture is Amazing.

Thank you for Reading upto Here, hope it could rekindle your thought process while visiting Kashmir.
There are many-many more temples unexplored and still surviving in Kashmir in Good, Bad and Pathetic Conditions. Almost all the Temples in good condition are mostly due to being under the Control of Central Security forces Camp

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