Pilgrim Spots of
Kashmir
By Prof. Chaman Lal Sapru
SANSKRIT
Shloka says that almost all the pilgrimages of the
World are also found in Kashmir, such as the holy
Ganga and the Prayaga.
Every Hindu considers it
his duty to immerse the ashes of his deceased
ancestors in the Ganga. In Kashmir we give the
same preference to Gangabal as is given to the
Ganga in holy scriptures. The same is true about
the prayaga at Allahabad where the Ganga, the
Yamuna and the invisible Saraswati meet and our
Prayaga at Shadipur which is the 'Sangam' of
Kashmir's two important rivers the Vitasta, and
the Sindhu. Every Hindu who offers prayers
according to Sanatana traditions, worships God in
the form of PANCHAYATAN. The Panchayatan comprises
the following deities-Ganesha, Shiva, Vishnu, Devi
and Surya. We have temples and Teerthas attributed
to the above mentioned gods and also dedicated to
Avatar like Shri Rama.
GANESHA
Ganesha is worshipped as the Aadi Deva (The First
Deity). Ganesha is the son of Sankara or Shiva.
Every Hindu starts his worship with obeisance to
Lord Ganesha. Ganesha is considered as the
Siddhidata (the, boon-giver) and Vighnaharta
(destroyer of obstacles). In Srinagar we have a
prominent temple of Ganesha in the heart of the
city. The temple previously under the management
of the Dharmarth Trust, is now managed by a local
managing committee. An annual festival on Vaisakha
Shukla Chaturdashi is held in the premises of the
temple and a Mahayajna by the Brahman Maha Mandal
is performed on the Brahma Jayanti day. There is a
legend that during the atrocities committed by
Pathan rulers, several hundred years back, the
original idol of Lord Ganesha was submerged in the
Vitasta by the Pandits to save it from
desecration. During the Dogra rule the idol was
reclaimed by the devotees and installed on the
Vaisaka Shukla Chaturdashi in the temple.
This particular idol is
placed in the outer temple by the side of the Siva
Lingam and two bigger and more attractive idols,
most probably donated by Dogra rulers, are also
installed in the main temple.
There is another
important temple of Lord Ganesha at the foot of
the hillock of Hari Parbat which every Hindu
considers it his sacred duty to go round every
day. Lord Ganesha's temple is the first amongst
the shrines strewn on this hillock.
Even the holy pilgrimage
to Sri Amarnathji starts with the worship of Sri
Ganesha at Ganeshabal near Pahalgam.
SANKARA OR SIVA:
There is hardly any place of Worship in Kashmir,
where you will not find a Siva Lingam. In the
world-famous cave of SWAMI AMARNATHJI an ice
Lingam is formed to full size on the fifteenth of
the bright half of every month, (Poornima), hence
is of reverential attraction to the devotees of
all faiths. This holy place is visited on the
Shravana Poornima every year by thousands of
pilgrims from far off places. The Pilgrimage
starts from the Dashnami Akhara of Srinagar in the
form of a procession. The Mahant carries the holy
silver mace of Lord Siva and is followed by
hundreds of Sadhus reaching the cave on the
Shravana Poornima, which coincides with
Raksha-Bandhan.
People like Aadi
Shankaracharya, Swami Vivekananda and Swami
Ramtirtha have visited this place. Swami Ramtirtha
has composed beautiful verses in praise of the
mysteries of the Lord. Swami Vivekananda says to
his European disciples, "The image was the
Lord Himself. It was all worship there. I never
have been to anything so beautiful, so inspiring.
SANKARACHARYA TEMPLE
A beautiful stone-temple of Lord Shiva is situated
on a hill in the Srinagar city commanding a
magnificent view. The temple is managed by the
Dharmartha Trust. It is believed that the first
Sankaracharya on his visit to Srinagar, meditated
on this spot. Swami Vivekananda has given the
following description of the temple:- "Look !
what genius the Hindu shows in placing his temples
! He always chooses a grand scenic effect. See !
the temple commands the whole of Kashmir."
The snow-clad peaks round
the valley bear one or the other name of Lord
Shiva You have "Mahadeva", "Harmukha",
etc. Under the Mahadeva peak in the picturesque
range of Harwan, the famous Siva-Sutras (the base
of Shaiva Philosophy) were composed. Devotees
visit this place particularly on the same day on
which the pilgrimage to Amarnathji is undertaken.
They also visit the following places of worship
connected with Shiva on the same day. Dhyaneshwar
in Bandipur, Thajwor in Bijbehara and Harishwar in
Khonmoh.
There are numerous
temples of Shiva in the whole valley. Sadashiva
temple in Purushyar and Someshwar temple in Habba-
Kadal find the description in the famous histories
and Puranas of Kashmir.
THE VISHNU PADA:
The only holy place connected with Lord Vishnu in
Kashmir is Vishnu-Pads or Kaunsar Naga. This is a
big lake situated at a height of more than 14,000
feet in Anantnag district. The lake is shaped as a
foot and it is believed that Lord Vishnu had
placed his holy foot in the place where the
present big lake was formed.
THE DEVI ( DIVINE
MOTHER ):
We have numerous places of pilgrimages attributed
to the Goddess in Kashmir of which the Kheer
Bhawani, Shri Sharika Mandir, Mahakali Mandir (
Srinagar and Vadora ), Jwala Mukhi ( Khrew ),
Shailaputri (Nagabal, Baramulla), Baladevi, Sri
Vaishnodevi and Sarthal Devi (last two in Jammu
region) are well koown.
KSHEER BHAWANI:
The temple of Goddess Maharajni, known as
Ksheer-Bhawani, is situated about 14 miles away
from Srinagar at village Tulamula in the famous
Sindh valley. The road leading to Ksheer Bhawani
has also spiritual significance. J. Krishna Murti
in his booklet "At the feet of the
Master" writes about the following four
"Sadhanas" to achieve realization. They
are Viveka (Discrimination), Vairagya
(renunciation), Sadachar (righteousness) and Prema
or Mumukshaa (the eternal love). While going to
Ksheer Bhawani one comes across the places bearing
the same name. First we reach 'Vicharnaga.' Vichar
is synonym of 'Viveka'. Then we reach 'Tyangal-bal'
(the hill of burning charcoals) and Kavaj-var (the
fire of cremation ground) and Amarher (the
immortal staircase). These two names also denote
the feeling of renunciation. The third place is
Aanchar Lake, which derives its origin from Aachar
(the righteousness). After going through these
places we reach the cherished destination, the
holy place of the Divine Mother and one is all
love pure and divine with the Divine Mother.
An old Sanskrit text
called the 'Bringesha Samhita' carries a chapter
known as 'Rajny-Pradurbhava' and the Pauranic
description of the said Teertha is given in the
said book. The demon-king of Lanka (Ravana) in
order to attain unlimited power worshipped Mother
Maharajni. The Divine Mother, after being moved by
the immense 'tapas' (penance) performed by Ravana,
bestowed upon him many boons.
Soon after, Ravana began
to lead a life of luxury and after forcibly taking
away Sita, prepared himself for a battle with Lord
Rama. After watching the misbehaviour of Ravana,
the Devi asked Hanumana to take Her to Satisar
(Kashmir) along with 360 Nagas.
Hanumanji installed the
Devi at Tulamula village in Kashmir Valley. Here
the Devi is being remembered as 'Ksheer-Bhawani'
or Goddess Rajna. The Devi began to be worshiped
with flowers and offerings of milk and sweets
only.
The Brahmins of Tulamula
have been described in Rajatarangini as full with
spiritual powers.
For quite some time in
the past this important Teertha remained under
flood waters and it was only after a pious Brahmin
Shri Krishna Pandit had a vision that the place
was rediscovered. He was a great devotee of the
Devi and composed the famous Rajna Stotra.
A beautiful marble temple
has been erected in the centre of the 'Kunda'
(spring) by Dogra rulers. This spring changes
colours and is shaped as "OM" in Sharada
script. Every year an annual festival is held on
Jyeshtha Shukla Ashtami at this holy place. Swami
Vivekananda and many others have performed Tapas
at this holy place and had visions.
SUN TEMPLE AT MARTAND:
Only five miles away from the town of Anantnag is
a village known as Mattan or Bhawan. In ancient
scriptures the name of this place is given as
Martand (the sun). Here is a beautiful spring and
a small rivulet flowing nearby known as the Chaka.
On the banks of the Chaka thousands of devotee;
from northern India perform Shradhas to their
deceased ancestors on Adhikmasa months 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 great emperor Lalitaditya.
OTHER SHRINES:
The two prominent places of pilgrimages of Muslims
and Sikhs are Hazratbal and Chhatipadshahi. The
Hazratbal shrine on the Dal lake facing east is
know as the second Mecca. The holy relic of
Prophet Muhammad is preserved here. The Chhati
Padshahi is a Gurdwara near Hari Parbat which had
been visited by the sixth Guru of the Sikhs.
Besides the above
mentioned places of pilgrimages there are hundreds
of holy places found in Kashmir. A brief
description of these places is given below:
DISTRICT ANANRNAG:
AMARNATH:
This is the holy cave in which the ice-lingam of
Lord Siva is formed changing its size with the
waning and waxing of the moon.
VETHA - VATUR
(Vitasta-tatra) : Here is the source of river
Vitasta. Annual pilgrimage to this place is
performed on the thirteenth day of the dark half
of the Bhadra month.
KHANA BARNI:
Dedicated to Divine mother, it is near Qazigund.
KAPAL MOCHAN:
Annual festival on Sravana Shukla Dwadashi is held
here and devotees perform shradha of teenagers. it
is situated near Shopian.
MANZGAM:
A temple in the forests is dedicated to Mother
Rajna. Annual festival is held on Jyeshtha Ashtami.
PROPER ANANTNAG:
A holy spring after which the town as well as the
district is named is famons for its crystal clear
water. Annual festival of Ananta Devata is held on
the fourteenth day of the dark half of Bhadra
month.
THAJIWORE:
It is situated near Bijbihara. An old Shiva temple
is found here and the annual festival is held on
Sravana Poornima.
GAUTAMA NAGA:
It is situated about 4.5 kms. away from Anantnag.
LOKABHAWAN:
Annual festival is held here and a Mahayajna
performed. It is 11 miles from Anantnag.
UMA NAGARI:
A temple and a spring of Goddess Uma is found
here. Annual Mahayajna is performed here.
NAGADANDI:
Sri Ramakrishra Maha sammelan managed by
Vivekananda Rock Memorial Committee Kanyakumari,
is situated here. An ancient spring and a few
idols of some ancient temple are found here.
Annual festival is held here on the day Chhari (Amarnath
Yatra) starts. It is 3 km. away from Achhabal.
GOSAYEEN GOND:
An attractive neat and clean Ashram is found here.
During Amarnath Yatra a number of devotees visit
this Ashrama and stay and mediate for a few days.
VISHNU PAD:
Known also as Kaunsarnaga. It is about 14 miles
away from Aharbal fall. It is a hazardous journey.
JWALA MUKHI:
This Teertha attributed to Goddess Jwala is
situated about 20 kms. from Srinagar in Anantnag
district. A temple of Jawalaji is situated on a
hillock there. Annual festival is held on "Jwala
Chaturdasi" (fourteen day of the dark second
half of Asharh).
KURUKSHETRA:
It is near Pampore (famous for saffron, where
famous mystic Poetess Lalleshwari or Lal ded
lived). Festivals are held here on the occasions
of solar and lunar eclipses.
BALADEVI:
This famous Teertha is attributed to Bala Bhagwati.
She is considered to be the 'Istadevi' (presiding
deity) of the Dogra rulers, hence the Teertha is
managed by the Dharmarth Trust. This place of
pilgrimage is situated in Balahama near Pampur.
DISTRICT BARAMULLA:
KOTI TEERTHA:
It is situated on the right bank of the Vitasta at
Baramulla. It is believed that the holy water of
one crore of teerthas reaches here through Vitasta
and therefore is very sacred.
SHAILAPUTRI (Devibal):
This Teertha is situated on the left bank of the
Vitasta at Baramulla. This is a miniature
Ksheer-Bhawani.
NANDKESHWAR (Seer-Jagir):
A famous place of Nandakeshwar Bhairava situated
on the left bank of the Vitasta at Sopore. The
annual festival is held on Jyeshtha Amavasya here.
NANDKESAWAR (Sumbal):
A place for worship of Nandakeshwar Bhairava
situated in Sumbal village. GOPHABAL: Situated
near Langet, Handwara.
BHADRAKALI:
The Teertha attributed to Goddess Kali is situated
in a thick pine forest near Vadipora (Handwara).
TAKAR (Gushi):
Situated near Kupwara this teertha attributed to
the Divine Mother (Maharajna) is found here.
CHANDIGAM:
Situated in the picturesque valley of Lolab in
Sogam, a Niranjani Akhara is established here.
GOSAYEEN TENG:
Situated on a hillock at Baramulla. Some springs
attributed to Bhagwan Ramchandra are found here.
SHARADA JI:
It (now in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir) is situated
on the bank of Kishanganga famous throughout the
country before partition. This is considered as a
"Siddha Peetha" like Sharika Chakreshwar
temple at Hari Parbat. It was a place of learning
also and students as well as scholars from far off
places used to come here. Some monuments still
exist there.
DISTRICT SRINAGAR:
SHANKARACHARYA:
A beautiful Shiva temple exists on the hillock
called shankaracharya hill. Annual festival on the
day of Amarnath Darshan is held here.
HARI PARBAT:
A hillock in Srinagar city, it has many temples
around it. The main temple is of Goddess Sharika,
the presiding deity of Kashmir. Annual festival on
the first Navratra & Ashadh Navami is held
here. This is considered as a 'Siddha Peetha'.
KSHEERABHAWANI:
Twenty kilometres away from Srinagar a spring in
which a temple is constructed dedicated to Mother
Rajna. Annual festival held on Jyeshta Ashtami.
GANGABAL:
A lake situated near Harmakh peak is the most
beautiful lake of Kashmir. Annual Yatra is held on
the Ganga Ashtami in Bhadra month. People immerse
the ashes of their deceased there and also perform
Shradha. The journey is most hazardous but much
rewarding.
GUPTAGANGA (Nishat):
Just adjacent to Nishat garden is situated the
GuptaGanga. On the Baishakhi festival devotees
from all over Kashmir have a dip in the spring
here. A Shaiva Mathika is also attached to it
where Sunday classes on Shaivism were conducted by
Shaivacharya Swami Lakshman Joo.
JYESHTESHWARA:
A temple attributed to Jyeshtha Devi is located in
between Shankaracharya and Chasma Shahi. A
pilgrimage to this place on thursdays of Jyeshtha
is considered auspicious.
GANGAJATAN:
Situated in tehsil Badgam; on Ganga Ashtami day
people go there and have a dip there. It is almost
a dry spring but on this particular day at a
particular hour water gushes out and devotees have
their holy bath.
BADIPUR:
Situated in tehsil Chadura near Nagam, it is a
miniature Ksheer Bhawani. Annual Mahayajna on
Vaishakha Shukla Ashtami is held here.
MAHAKALI ASTHAPAN:
Situated by the side of famous Khanaqah of Shah
Hamdan; it is believed that a magnificient temple
of Mahakali existed here. The annual festival is
held here on Pausa Krishan Paksha Ashtami.
VASKUR:
Dedicated to a mystic poetess Roopa Bhawani,
considered to be an incarnation of Goddess Sharika;
Annual festival is held here on Sahib-Saptami.
VICHAR NAG:
Situated on Srinagar-Leh Highway at a distance of
about 10 kms from Srinagar, the annual festival is
held on the last day of the Kashmiri calender i.
e. Chaitra Amavasya. The famous Kashmiri
Pandit-Shirya Bhat-responsible for the change of
heart of Sultan Zainulabidin, later known as
Budshah (the Great Monarch), also lived here.
JAMMU:
VAISHNO DEVI:
It is as famous as Amarnathji or Ktheer-Bhawani in
Kashmir. Thousands of Pilgrims mostly from
northern India visit this place. Divine Mother in
Vaishnavee form is being worshipped here. The main
temple is 11 kms. above Katra, a town on Jammu-Srinagar
National Highway. Devotees prefer to visit the
shrine on Nava-Ratra Days.
SARTHAL DEVI:
It is situated in Doda district of Kishtwar. There
is a popular belief that mother Sharika (Hari
Parbat) shifts during winter to this place. There
are other places of pilgrimages in Jammu region
also such a Burha Amarnath, Sudh Mahdev, etc.
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