Places
of Worship / Shrines
Tullamul
Known
widely as Kheer Bhawani and Ragnya Asthapana,
Tullamul is situated 22 Kms. north of Srinagar,
in Gandherbal Tehsil. It is said that Mata Ragnya
came to Kashmir during the times of Ramayana.
The holy spring of Tullamul is situated on the
bank of a branch of river Sindh, called,
according to Nilamat Purana, Tsandara Baga. It
is approachable both by road and by river. The main
temple is in the midst of a spring, the water
of which is observed to be changing its colour.
The present temple was constructed by Maharaja
Partap Singh in 1912 A.D. on the foundation of
an ancient temple, said to have been destroyed in
14th or 15th century. The stone image of Devi
in the temple is believed to be more than 600
years old. The annual fair is held on 8th day of the
lunar fortnight of Jestha. It is said that the
present diety was installed on this day. The
devotees usually visit the Shrine on every
lunar asthami. The Shrine is managed by Jammu
and Kashmir Dh.mp3arth Trust. Devotees visit the
shrine only when on vegetarian food.
Hari
Parbat
Legend has it that
Sharikadevi in the f.mp3 of Mynaka got a small pebble
in her beak from Sumeru mountain and dropped
it on the demon Munda who was playing havoc
with the lives of the residents. This small pebble,
it is said, grew big and bigger and finally
assumed the shape of a mount. Haer in Kashmiri being
Myna, the mount came to be known as Hari
Parbat. Rishis and Munis were afraid that the
demon may appear again and disturb their Tapasya, so
they entreated Goddess to reside therefor
ensuring their uninterrupted Tapasya. The Goddess,
Sharika Devi agreed and settled herself on the
Mount and manifested in the f.mp3 of
Shrichakra - and the place came to be known as
Chakreshwar. Shri is the name of all immanent
Goddess and Chakra, having 6 triangles and 18
angles, representing Shat-Dal and Ashtadash
Bujas of Devi respectively. This Soymbhu
manifestation of Devi is highly venerated by
all Pandits. Many gods & goddesses came to
witness the event. They stayed on the hill.
Hence Hari Parbat is considered the abode of a
number of gods and goddesses to whom worship is
offered.It is a practice to take a Parikrama
(circumambulation) of the whole hill, about 5 Kms.
to appease all of them in one go.
Zeethiyar
This shrine is
situated towards North-West of Srinagar, between
Zabarwan and Shankracharya hill. It attracts
pilgrims on every Thursday in the month of
Jyeshta. According to legend, Shiva ssumed the f.mp3
of Rudra and rescued Jyeshta (Parvati)
from the clutches of a demon at this place. There
are ruins of ancient temples, scattered all
around.
Amar
Nath Cave
The cave is 13500
ft. above sea level. Here, an ice lingam is f.mp3ed
in full size on every Purnima. Annual
pilgrimage takes place on Raksha Bandhan. Holy
silver mace (Charri Mubarak) is taken from Srinagar
every year, followed by sadhus and pilgrims
via Pahalgam. Main stops enroute from Srinagar are
Anantnaag, Matan, Pahalgam, Chandanwari,
Wavjan, Panchtarni and then the holy cave. Highest
altitude to cross is 14000 ft. high Mahagunas. Swami
Vivekananda and Swami Ramtirtha have visited
it.
Shankarachrya
Temple
The Shankaracharya
temple is situated atop a hill 1902 mtrs. above mean
sea level, on the bank of Dal Lake in Srinagar.
According to Kalhana’s Rajatarangini, it was
first built by Jalauka, the son of emperor Ashoka in
200 BC. The temple was later rebuilt by
Gopaditya who reigned from 253 AD to 328 AD. Even
today, the hill is known as Gopadri and the
village at its foot as Gopkar. The temple
shows the early Kashmiri style of architecture
trying to introduce a Shikhar. It rests on a
solid rock and comprises an octagonal basement of 13
layers of stone, 20 feet high, on which is
supported a square building. There are two
projections on each of the four sides which
t.mp3inate in pediment and a glable. The
general appearance of the temple is that of a cone
with four sides f.mp3ed by the rectangular
adjustment of eight gable shaped slabs of masonry.
The 25 feet high cone rests upon an octagonal
raised platf.mp3 about 100 feet in circumference.
The temple commands a grand panoramic view of the
Dal Lake and the Srinagar city.
From the base of the
temple, there are 41 Devri stone steps leading to
the sanctum sanctorum which is 14 feet in
diameter. A huge Shiva Lingum is at the centre
and at the back of the Lingam, is an image of Adi
Shankaracharya, installed in the year 1961 by
Shankaracharya of Dwarika Peeth.
Jawalaji
Jawalaji, the
Goddess of Fire is another popular Ishtadevi of
Pandits. Situated in the small village of
Khrew, about 20 Kms. away from Srinagar, Jawalaji is
venerated as one more aspect of the Shakti. The
Shrine, constructed by Dr. Bal Krishen in the
eighteenth century, is perched on the top of a 200
feet high hillock approachable by flight of
360 Devri stone steps with more than a dozen
landings. The octagonal shaped temple rests on an 18
feet high base. The sanctum sanctorum is an 8
feet x 8 feet square shaped structure. A six feet
high, black stone image is placed here.
It is said that the image turned black due to the
occasional flames which sparked here from time to
time. The flame is said to have been 2 feet
high and was alight for about half an hour, when
last seen in the year 1962. A fair is held on
the 14th bright fortnight of Ashada (June-July)
every year. An offering of Tahar (yellow rice) and
Sheeshanor (lamb’s lung) are offered to the
Devi and later served as Prasad.
Ishber
It is situated on
Nishat-Shalimar road, about 12 kms. from Srinagar.
Renowned as the seat of Maa Durga, it has
attracted men of spiritual quest from times
immemorial. Great many saints and sages have spent
their lives here in quest of truth. Till
recent times, it was the ashram of great
saint-philosopher Swami Lakshman Ji, an
authority on Shaivism. Pilgrims assemble at Gupt
Ganga on the Baisakhi day as well as on other
religious days. A shrine dedicated to Maa Durga is
situated 3000 feet ahead on the hill slopes.
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