Sanctuaries for Minds

Shrines have always been more than spiritual spaces in the valley.

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They offer a place where people come to rest their minds and find a calm that is hard to find elsewhere.

People gather in the lawns or sit near the sanctum, letting the stillness of the place allow their thoughts to settle. People do not always speak. They simply sit, watch, and become part of the space, finding comfort in the presence of others.

These sacred spaces bring a sense of connection, a place where being together without words becomes its own form of relief.

Earlier, many Kashmiris relied heavily on chemical treatments and medications to regain mental calm. Such approaches often focused on controlling symptoms instead of allowing the mind to restore itself naturally.