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

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 centre 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."

Kashmir was a hub of Sanatan Hindu Dharma and later Buddhist culture for centuries, ruled by 136 Hindu and Buddhist kings, starting with Gonanda I (3238-3188 BCE). Emperor Ashok propagated Buddhism in the 3rd century BCE, but Shaivism continued to thrive, with the Karkota Dynasty in the 9th century marking a golden era of Hindu culture. Like the Martand Sun Mandir stood as architectural marvels, testifying to Kashmir's deep Hindu roots. The region's tutelary Devi, Sharada (a manifestation of Saraswati), further cements its Hindu identity, with prayers referring to her as Kashmirapur-vasini (she who resides in Kashmir).