A Journey of Eternal Hindu Roots Through Time

Kashmir, often called paradise on earth, has a history as profound and complex as its breathtaking landscapes.

- GOPAL GOSWAMI

Kashmir, often called paradise on earth, has a history as profound and complex as its breathtaking landscapes. Its origins are deeply intertwined with Sanatan Hindu traditions; its identity shaped by the revered Bhagwan Shiv & Maharshi Kashyap; its trajectory altered by invasions, forced conversions, and political upheavals. From its ancient Hindu roots to the abrogation of Article 370 and the recent Supreme Court mandate for elections, Kashmir's story is one of resilience, tragedy, and hope for a renewed future.

Kashmir's name is derived from the Sanskrit term Kashyapa-Mira, meaning "the sea lake or mountain of Kashyap," a reference to the sage Rishi Kashyap who, according to the Nilamata Purana, drained a vast lake called Satisara to create the land of Kashmir. This ancient text establishes Kashmir as a sacred Hindu land, a place of pilgrimage dotted with holy sites dedicated to Lord Shiva, often referred to as Bhagwan Shiv's playground.

The region was a flourishing center of Shaivism, a major Hindu tradition revering Shiv, with scholars like Utpaladeva, author of the Shiv-Stotravali, contributing to its spiritual richness. The Rajatarangini, a 12th-century historical chronicle by Kashmiri Brahman historian Kalhan, describes Kashmir as a divine abode, stating, "Kailash is the best place in the Tri-loka, Himalayas the best place in Kailash, and Kashmir the best place in Himalayas."