Sharada Peeth – a temple of Goddess Sharada – was one of the three principal shrines of J&K before the Partition.

 Sharada Peeth – a temple of Goddess Sharada – was one of the three principal shrines of J&K before the Partition.

Established in 237 BC during the reign of Ashoka, the 5,000-year-old Sharada Peeth is an abandoned temple and ancient centre of learning dedicated to the Hindu goddess of learning. Between the 6th and 12th centuries CE, Sharada Peeth was one of the foremost temple universities of the Indian subcontinent.

Namastey Sharada Devi Kashmir Pur Vasini Tvam Ham Prartheye Nityam Vidya Danam Che De hi Mahi. (Salutations to you, O Sharada, O Goddess, O one who resides in Kashmir. I pray to you daily, please give me the charity of knowledge).”

This is a prayer that Kashmiri Pandits say as a part of their daily worship to pay obeisance to Goddess Sharada, commonly known as Saraswati – the goddess of knowledge. However, the revered shrine of their kuldevi (principal deity) – Sharada Peeth – now lies abandoned in the valleys of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Here are a few aspects that make the religiously significant shrine politically relevant:

SHARADA PEETH LIES CLOSE TO LOC

Sharada Peeth was one of the three principal shrines of the region, along with the Martand Sun Temple and the Amarnath Temple, before the Partition of India and Pakistan. After the 1947-48 war between the two countries over Jammu & Kashmir, the shrine was abandoned as it fell into PoK.

The shrine, religiously and politically significant, lies close to the LoC in Sharda village atop Mount Harmukh.

While demands from Indian pilgrims to allow visits to the shrine have been made in the past, the echoes have become louder after the two bitter neighbours decided to pave way for the Kartarpur corridor leading to Gurudwara Darbaar Sahib Kartarpur in November.

Sharada Peeth literally translates to “the seat of goddess Sharada/Saraswati.”

Considered to be religiously and spiritually significant by Hindus and Buddhists, Goddess Sharada is considered by Kashmiri Pandits as their kuldevi (principal deity). She is also referred to by many as Kashmira Puravasini (resident of Kashmir).

Scholar Ayaz Rasool Nazki, Nazki told India Today that Goddess Sharada hid the container of knowledge here during the fight between good and evil.

LOCATION, ROUTES AND GEOGRAPHICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Located in the valley of Mount Harmukh in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK), the temple is at an altitude of 1,981 meters above sea level. It is situated about 150 kilometres from Muzaffarabad, the capital of PoK.

During the 1947-1948 Kashmir war between India and Pakistan, the site came under the control of Pashtun tribespeople who invaded the region. Control was then passed to the newly formed government of PoK.

Ravinder Pandita of the Save Sharada Committee said that there are two routes to travel to Sharada Peeth from India.

● “From our side, there are two designated routes to travel across – one is via Uri-Muzaffarabad and another is via Poonch-Rawalkote. Uri-Muzaffarabad is mostly being used because it’s the valley people who are mostly traveling. It’s at a distance of about 70 kms from Uri.”

- Ravinder Pandita

The temple is situated along River Neelam, also known as Kishan Ganga.

History of Baramulla (Varahamula) in Kashmir ⛰️

 Baramulla (Varahamula) in Kashmir ⛰️

The city was earlier known as #Varahamula which is #Sanskrit for "boar's molar".

Origin:

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The name Baramulla is derived from the Sanskrit Varahamula (#वराहमूल), a combination of varaha (boar) and mul (root or deep) meaning "boar's molar."

According to Vedic teachings, the Kashmir Valley was once a lake known as #Satisaras (Parvati's Lake in Sanskrit). Ancient Vedic texts relate that the lake was occupied by the demon #Jalodbhava (meaning "originated from water") until Sree Vishnu assumed the form of a boar and struck the mountain at Varahamula. This created an opening for the water to flow out of the lake.

The modern Baramulla was called Varahamulaksetra or Varahaksetra in the ancient days. Originally, it was a suburb of Huviskapura (modern Ushkur). Associated with the Adivaraha, the boar incarnation of Visnu, it was considered very sacred. Consequently, many #temples and #monasteries were built in the 9th and 10th centuries, during the region of #Lalitaditya Muktapida, (Queen) Sugandha, and Ksemagupta, when the sect of Sree Visnu flourished there.

History:

Ancient and medieval

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The city of Baramulla was founded by Raja #Bhimsina in 2306 B.C. A number of visitors have traveled to Baramulla, including #Xuanzang from China and a British historian named Moorcraft. Additionally, Mughal emperors were fascinated by Baramulla. Gateway of the Kashmir Valley, Baramulla was a way station during their visits to the valley. In 1508 A.D., Emperor Akbar, who entered the valley via Pakhil, spent several days at Baramulla. According to Tarikh-e-Hassan, the city was decorated during Akbar's stay. Emperor Jahangir stayed at Baramulla during his visit to Kashmir in 1620.

From the beginning, Baramulla has had religious importance. Hindu Teertha and Buddhist Vihars (monasteries) made the city sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists. During the 15th century, it became important to Muslims as well. Syed Janbaz Wali, who visited the valley with his companions in 1421, chose Baramulla as the center of his mission and was later buried there. His shrine attracts pilgrims from throughout the valley.

In 1620, the sixth Sikh Guru, Shri Hargobind, visited the city. In Baramulla Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, and Sikhs lived in harmony and contributed to its culture.

Baramulla was the oldest and most-important town in northern Kashmir and Jammu (princely state) and "Gateway to the Kashmir Valley" (by the Rawalpindi-Murree-Muzaffarabad-Baramulla Road) until 27 October 1947. It was ceded to India when the Maharajah signed the instrument of accession on 26 October 1947. The city is the headquarters of the Baramulla district.

October 1947

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Pashtun tribesmen from the South Waziristan region of Pakistan attacked Kashmir to seize the state. They moved along the Rawalpindi-Murree-Muzaffarabad-Baramulla Road on 22 October 1947. They were assisted by Pakistani soldiers in civilian clothes. Muzaffarabad fell on 24 October 1947, and the soldiers captured Baramulla the following day. They looted, raped, killed, burned and vandalized shrines and temples.

On the morning of 27 October, India airlifted troops from Delhi to the Srinagar airfield while the tribal forces were still at Baramulla, harassing and looting the people.

When Jammu and Kashmir acceded to the “Union of India” in 1947, it did not bring joy to the native Kashmiri Hindus. Instead a new storm of destruction gathered, as hapless victims to a tyrannical order the state governments of all political parties worked out the single-point programme of marginalising them out for ethnic cleansing. The temple lands and cremation grounds approved by relevant documents as properties, faced immediate onslaught and were first held in dispute by resorting to “tampering of records.” In 1978 various SROs issued by the government not only strengthened the Muslim Auqaf Act but also Fated the Muslims to grab the temple lands without check. 

• Not fewer than 70 temples and lands attached with them were cruelly snatched from the possession of the Pandits who proffered their claims supported by relevant revenue records but were arbitrarily dismissed. 

• The temples of historical importance were assaulted and huge portions from them sliced away to be offered to the Muslims as booty in a platter.

• The destruction of Hindu symbols and especially temples did continue in the coming decades and following are some examples of the temples destroyed in Baramulla by Pakistani sponsored terror.

• Shailputri Temple, Baramulla - The temple has been completely burnt. The main idol of the Shailputri riding on an ox was attacked and its arms and legs axed. The whole complex is devastated. The walls surrounding the area have been damaged. The idol of Shailputri in its mutilated form is in the protective custody of B.S.F. personnel. The propaganda launched from various media agencies about the execution of repairs to the devastated temple complex with the aid of locals has been only a lie among many lies told about the secular polity of Kashmir lying in shambles.

• Raja Ram Mountains - These mountains lie between Tangadar and Teetwal. The idol of Ram has been desecrated, broken or looted.

• Khoj Bagh Temple, Baramulla - It was a Shiva Temple and has been burnt.

• Hanjivera Temple, Pattan, Baramulla - The Samadhi of an unknown saint within the temple premises has been demolished.

• Venkara Temple, Baramulla - The temple has been burnt.

• Palhalan Temple Baramulla - It stands burnt to ashes

Re-building the temples of Kashmir: Five important historic and religious sites that lie in ruins

 Re-building the temples of Kashmir: Five important historic and religious sites that lie in ruins

Key Highlights: 

• Indian Govt has stressed the belief that there were around 50,000 temples that were closed, required restoration or were destroyed entirely in the Valley

• The Martand temple or Sun temple was built in the 8th Century CE by Lalitaditya Muktapida, the 3rd ruler in the Karkota Dynasty

• The Shankaragaurishvara temple was built in dedication to Lord Shiva, and is located at Patan, close to Baramulla

• The two Avantipora temples are located at the small but historic town of Avantipora lies approximately 30km from the state’s capital

• Located just 6km from the city of Srinagar, the Pandrethan temple is a testament to Kashmiri architectural mastery.

Figures released by the J&K government in 2012 show that approximately half of all temples in the Valley had been damaged over the last two decades, with those at Srinagar and Anantnag having suffered the greatest acts of vandalism and destruction. 

Here we look at five historic temples in dire need of repairs:

Martand Mandir

The Martand temple or Sun temple was built in the 8th Century CE by Lalitaditya Muktapida, the 3rd ruler in the Karkota Dynasty. The temple, located in Anantnag, was dedicated to Surya Bhagwan. Although in ruins, the temple, with its huge arches and intricate drawings, is still an impressive and imposing structure, with several communities pleading for its full restoration. It is also believed that the huge edifice at the centre of the temple grounds was built such that sunlight would drench the idol of Surya throughout the day. Most of the temple’s structures were destroyed by Sikandar Butshikan, the Islamic ruler in the 15th century. It is currently overseen and managed by the Department of Archaeology. 

Shankaragaurishvara Temple

The Shankaragaurishvara temple was built in dedication to Lord Shiva and is located at Patan, close to Baramulla. It is believed that the temple was built by Shankaravarman, a monarch from the Utpala Dynasty, during his rule between 883-902 CE. Despite lying in a dilapidated condition, it is still considered one of the most prominent sites of religious tourism in Kashmir. The temple integrates intricately sculpted carving across its interior walls that appear to be quite fresh leading some to speculate that they were made as recently as the 9th century.

Avantiswami and Avantisavara TemplesTe two Avantipora temples are located in the small but historic town of Avantipora, approximately 30km from the state’s capital, Srinagar. The town of Avantipora was founded by another member of the Utpala dynasty, Avantivarman, who ruled between 855 and 883 CE. Avantivarman built two magnificent temples at the site, the first dedicated to Lord Shiva, and the other to Lord Vishnu. The temples were sites of great conflict and destruction as the town constantly contended with the threat of invasion. However, it is believed that an earthquake caused the temples to finally be reduced to the ruins we see today. The two temples are now under the care of the Department of Archaeology, with the Avantiswami temple the better preserved. 

The Pandrethan Temple

Located just 6km from the city of Srinagar, the Pandrethan temple is a testament to Kashmiri architectural mastery. The temple’s domed roof is carved from a single rock, and its walls and ceilings are adorned with impressive designs and drawings. The temple is also known as Meru Vardhana Swami, named after its constructor Meru, a minister in the court of King Partha. It is believed to have been built during Partha’s rule between 921 and 931 AD, in dedication to Lord Vishnu. The entire capital of Pandrethan is believed to have been the site of a catastrophic fire, with only the temple ruins standing as a reminder of King Partha’s legacy.

Pandrethan Temple in Kashmir

Pandrethan Temple

Pandrethan is about 6.5 km from Srinagar. It was originally an old capital of Kashmir and is believed to have been founded by King Pravarasena, sometime in the 6th century CE. The word ‘Pandrethan’ is derived from ‘Puranadishthana’ or ‘old town. It is now a military cantonment, but is known for its small but exquisite Shiva temple, also known as the Meruvardhanaswami temple. What makes this temple unique is its stone roof, chiselled out of a single piece of stone and inventively carved.

The Pandrethan temple was built by Meru, a minister of King Partha, who ruled Kashmir from 921-931 CE. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is situated around 100 yards from the banks of river Jhelum. The city of Pandrethan was said to have been destroyed in a great fire around 960 CE. The only structure that is said to have survived is this temple.

This photograph of the Meruvardhanaswami temple at Pandrethan near Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir, taken in 1868. 

Pandrethan, now mostly in ruins, is one of Kashmir's historic capitals, said by Kalhana in his poetical account of Kashmiri history called Rajatarangini to have been founded by king Pravarsena in the 6th century AD. Its name thus derives from Puranadishthana or 'old town'. 

The small stone Shiva temple in the picture dates from the mid-10th century, reputedly erected by a minister named Meru. 

It was set in a spring-fed tank and its plinth is now submerged. Its interior has one of the finest surviving temple ceilings in Kashmir, consisting of three intersecting squares formed by diagonally placed lintels, the soffit decorated with a lotus. 

This general view of the temple, showing the collapsing state of the pyramidal masonry roof, is reproduced in Henry Hardy Cole's Archaeological Survey of India report, 'Illustrations of Ancient Buildings in Kashmir,' (1869), in which he wrote, 'The small village of Pandrethan is situated on the Jhelum, about a mile and a half to the south-east of Srinagar...The Temple is close to the village, and stands in the centre of a tank of water...

At the time of my visit, the water was about two feet over the floor of the Temple, and I had to obtain a small boat to enable me and my surveyors to take measurements. 

The stone ceiling is elaborately carved in bas-relief figures, and it is one of the most perfect pieces of ancient carving that exists in Kashmir...

The pyramidal roof is divided into two portions by an ornamental band. The corner pilasters are surmounted by carved capitals, and the pediments of the porches appear to have terminated with a melon-shaped ornament. 

The ceiling is formed of nine blocks of stone; four resting over the angles of the cornice, reduce the opening to a square, and an upper course of four stones still further reduces the opening, which is covered by a single block decorated with a large lotus.'

Kashmir's temples: Ruins of a glorious past

 Kashmir's temples: Ruins of a glorious past

The valley of Kashmir is famed around the world for its mystical and magical beauty. Christened as Paradise on Earth , Kashmir is admired for its lush green valleys, rolling woods ringed by snow-capped mountains, crisscrossed by rivers and studded with lakes, its rich profusion of trees and flowers and fruits.

The magic of Kashmir does not end here. The beautiful valley claims a glorious past of grandeur, power and riches beyond imagination. The antiquity of the monuments and various architectural structures tell tales of a rich legacy and a refined sense of culture and art.

The mystical beauty of Kashmir can be attributed to the story of its creation which has an air of fantasy typical of Indian mythology and folklore. Once upon a time, the valley was a lake, deep as the sea, and the playground of the gods. But it was haunted by a demon that plundered the valley and tortured its people. The miserable inhabitants appealed to Rishi Kashyap to save them. Rishi Kashyap struck a depression and drained the lake of its waters. The demon was slain, and the valley was named after its saviour, Kashyapa-mar or Kashmir.

A version of this legend has also been found in the Nilamat Purana, the earliest known text on Kashmir. To give credence to the story, palaeontologists have discovered coral and other marine fossils from the valley.

Owing to its sacred origin, the valley is also known as Rishi Wari and abounds in temples and other places of worship. But time, natural calamities and change in rulers have left many of the beautiful temples in ruins. The climate of Kashmir too has played a destructive part. Today, the temples lie in various stages of ruin but nonetheless exude evidence of their glorious past.

To name a few, the Martand Sun Temple, the Awantipora temples, the Sankara-Gauresvara temple, temple of Sugandhesa at Patan, the Pandrethan temples, the Shiva Bhutesa and Siva Jeyshthesa temples at Vangath, the Parihasakesva, Muktakesva, Mahavarha and Goverdhanadhara temples in Parihasapura, and the famous Mameswara Siva temple at Mamalaka are some specimens of great archaeological value.

Kashmiri architecture is different from the rest of India as most temples are square or oblong in design. They are subdivided into closed (vimana) or open (mandapa) type. Kashmiri temples are typically Suddha edifices, constructed with one kind of material from base to the summit. The ancient temples of Kashmir mostly range from mid 8th century AD to 12th century AD.

Martand Sun Temple

Five miles from Anantnag town, lies the village of Mattan also known as Bhawan. In ancient scriptures, the place is mentioned as Martand (the sun). A beautiful spring and a small rivulet flows through this place and on the banks of this rivulet, thousands of devotees perform shradhas to their ancestors on Vijaya Saptami. About 2.5 km. from the spring are ruins of a magnificent temple known as Martand.

The temple in Indo-Greak architectural style was built by the King Lalitaditya. The Martand temple is one of the most important archaeological sites of the country.

Awantipora Temples

The two temple ruins located about one km from each other, are in Awantipora, 30 km from the state capital Srinagar. On the way from Srinagar to Jammu, the first ruin is the Awantiswamin Temple. A Vaishnava temple built by king Awantivarman (855 AD - 883 AD), Vaikuntha Vishnu was the presiding deity.

This imposing monument has been built on a two-tiered base in the centre of a paved courtyard. Buddhist influence is quite evident in the architecture. The outer boundary wall or the courtyard has four shrines in its four corners. The entrance to the temple is located in the middle of the west wall and can be approached by a flight of steps. The walls have beautiful designs and images of gods. Even though the temple is dedicated to Vishnu, images of Shiva can also be seen on the pillars and stones. Even after 1200 years, the sculpted images are distinctly visible and impressive.

Pandrethan Temples

Pandrethan, originally an old capital of Kashmir and founded by Emperor Ashoka, is about four miles from Srinagar. The word 'Pandrethan' is a corrupt form of `Purana`, meaning `old` and `adhishthan` meaning `capital`. The major attraction of this ancient capital is a stone temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The temple named as Meru Vardhana Swami, was built by Meru, minister to King Partha who ruled Kashmir from 921 AD - 931 AD.

The temple was chiselled out of a single piece of rock and has awe-inspiring designs and illustrations. The domed roof and the arches are all examples of classical Kashmiri architecture. A devastating fire destroyed the entire capital of Pandrethan, leaving behind the temple monument as reminder of the legacy.

Mameswara Shiva Temple

The Mameswara Shiva temple located at Mamalaka or modern day Mamal is dedicated to Lord Shiva and houses an old pedestal and the Shiva Linga. The temple finds mention even in Kalahasa s Rajtarangini. The book mentions that the temple was gifted a golden Kalasa by the King Jayasinka (1128 AD - 1155 AD). A spring flows from under the site of the temple.

A traveller s sojourn to Kashmir is as much about taking in the natural grandeur as it is about completing the spiritual journey.

जानवे म्हणजे नेमके काय ?...

 जानवे म्हणजे नेमके काय ?...

◆जानव्याला पहिल्या तंतूवर ओमकार असतो

◆दुसर्‍यावर अग्नी असतो

◆तिसर्‍यावर नवनाग असतो

◆चौथ्यावर सोम 

◆पाचव्यावर पितर

◆सहाव्यावर प्रजापती

◆सातव्यावर वायू

◆आठव्यावर सुर्यनारायण

◆नवव्यावर विश्वदेव

त्याचे तिन तंतूंचे पिळ असतात असे एकूण नऊ दोरे असतात

असे नऊ सुत्रिचे(तंतू) तिन पदर म्हणजेच •सत्व•रज•तम• हे तिन गुण मिळवून 96 आन्गुळे दोरा लाबं असतो.

(जानवे ९६ बोटे लांब असते असा उल्लेख आहे यांत तुमच्या संमतीने थोडा बदल सूचवितो तो असा...

शहाण्णव चौंगे ( एक चौंगा = चार अंगुळे )लांबी असलेल्या सूतास कोठेही न तोडता त्रिगुणीकरण करून त्यास ब्रह्मगाठ मारून यज्ञोपवीत अर्थात जानवे तयार केले जाते..यांत सुत म्हणजेच सुक्ष्मतंतू किंवा मुख्य धागा होय..! देवतान्यास करतांना तंतू हाच शब्द वापरतात....!

जानवे हे बेंबीपर्यंतच असावे..कमरेच्या खाली जाऊ नये असा संकेत आहे...!

तीन पदरावर तीन वेद व ब्रह्मगाठीवर अथर्ववेद असतो अशी संकल्पना आहे..!तसेच सामुद्रिक शास्त्रात पुरूषाचे प्रमाण  स्वत:च्या अंगुळांनी ८४ ते १०८ पर्यंत असते...त्यांची सरासरी ९६ अंगुळे येते..खांद्यापासून बेंबी किंवा कमरेपर्यंत साधारणपणे ३२ अंगुळे अशी येते...३ पदर गृहित धरून ती ९६ अंगुळे अशी व सलग धागा ( न तोडता ) पकडला तर ९६ चौंगे असे माप येते...!)

सविस्तर सांगावयाचे झाले तर 

( तंतू हाच शब्द बरोबर आहे. परंतु आपण काही लोक त्याला पदर, दोरा, सूत असे नावाने सुद्धा ओळखतो ..!म्हणजे एका जानव्यात ९ तंतू ...तीन तंतूंचा एक पदर...याप्रमाणे एक जानवे तीन पदरी असते त्यास यज्ञोपवीताचे त्रिसूत्रीकरण म्हणतात..प्रेत्येक पदरास एक गाठ असते त्यास ग्रंथी म्हणतात....देवतान्यास करतांना ९+३ असे १२ मंत्र म्हणतात..!)

नंतर त्याची ●ब्रह्मगाठ● दिलेली असती हि अद्वैताची गाठ म्हणजे जिव व ब्रम्हा एकच आहे.

म्हणून जानवे घालणे हे शास्त्रीय प्रतिक आहे.

● 4 वेद

● 6 शास्र

● अठरा पुराणे जिवो ब्रम्हैव ना पर हिच शिकवण देतात

● 15 कला

● 12 मास

● 7 वार

● 27 नक्षत्र

व

● प्रकृती

● पुरुष

● महतत्व

● अंहकार

● पंच महाभुते

● पंच विषय

● पंच ज्ञानेद्रिय

● पचं कर्मेद्रिय

● व मन

एकूण 25 आणि 4 वेद 3 काळ ( उन्हाळा हिवाळा व पावसाळा ) व रज सत्व तम  हे तिन गुण मिळवून 96 होतात  म्हणून जानव्याला 96 बोटे लाबं दोरा असतो

माऊली ज्ञानोबाराय या जानव्याला ज्ञानेश्वरीत नवरत्नाच्या हाराची उपमा देतात...

तो गुण नवरत्नाकारू !

यया नवरत्नाचा हारू !

न फेङितले दिनकरू !

प्रकाश जैसा !

शुभं भवतु