Rishi Kashyap Jayanti was recently celebrated in India on 10 May 2023. And the G20 Summit was recently held in Srinagar in Kashmir from 22-24 May 2023. These two seemingly different threads – Rishi Kashyap and G20 Summit – are linked by one common foundation – Kashmir. Kashmir’s connection with India and Hinduism can be gauged from the word Kashmir itself – derived from the ancient Sanskrit language. Rishi Kashyap was one of the famed sapt rishis (literally meaning the seven sages) mentioned in the oldest book of the world, Rig Veda, numerous other scriptures and religious treatises written thousands of years ago. The land of Kashmir has derived its name from this famous sage. Nilmata Purana describes the origin of Kashmir from the Lake Satisar, named after Goddess Sati who lived in these lands with God Shiva, on Mount Harmukh. An asura (demon) Jalodhbhava (meaning born of/in water) was blessed with the boon of immortality by Lord Brahma, as long as he was in the waters of the Satisar Lake. His demonic behaviour towards the inhabitants of the valley forced Rishi Kashyap and his son Nila to seek help from Lord Vishnu. Rishi Kashyap prayed to Lord Vishnu and obtained a boon and then he emptied this lake from a place called Varah Mula (literally meaning the mouth of tortoise, the present day Barahmulla), which finally resulted in the killing of the demon. With all the water drained from the valley, Rishi Kashyap approached the three Devis – Parvati, Lakshmi, and Saraswati – beseeching them to flow down from the heavens. Goddess Parvati surged out as Vitista (Jhelum), originating from the Verinag spring in the Pir Panjal range; Goddess Lakshmi cascaded as the Veshaw River and Goddess Saraswati flowed down as the Rumbiara River reviving the lifeless place. Thereafter, the lake having been drained, the rishi made the place his abode for further meditation and establishing gurukul and impart spiritual education. Thus, the land acquired its name from him as Kashyap Meru i.e. the mountain of Rishi Kashyap aka Kashyap-mar (i.e. the abode of Kashyap) aka the present day Kashmir. Kashmir also means Ka-shimeera in Sanskrit – which means the desiccated land. The sun had risen in Kashmir.
One of the earliest references to this region occurs in the writings of Hercataeus who refers to Kaspapyros. Ptolemy (ca 150 AD) also refers to a region called Kasperia. Rajtarangini, which is a 12th century text written by the poet Kalhana, also states that the valley of Kashmir was originally a lake. Since the times of Rishi Kashyap till about 14th century, a series of wise and peace loving Hindu kings ruled the lands of Kashmir. During the reigns of these kings, domain experts in the respective fields – arts, dance, music, sculpture, literature – flourished and prosperity was in abundance. There was no poverty or violence, barring natural calamities. The rich culture of those times manifested in myriad architectural marvels and temples – some of which are still standing and flourishing. One of the such earliest and magnificent temples is the famous Shankaracharya Temple in Srinagar. In 371 BC, the temple is said to have been built by Raja Gopadatya. At that time, the temple was named as ‘Gopadari’, after the name of the King. Kalhana has also mentioned the King Gopaditya who had built this temple on top of Shankaracharya Hill which has been built as a shrine to Lord Jyesthesvara who is a form of Lord Shiva somewhere around the era of 371 BC. It is believed that Shankaracharya, the great saint-philosopher, lived and meditated in the temple during his trip to Kashmir. The legend left the place centuries ago, ever since, the temple came to be known as Shankaracharya Temple.
The present-day Kashmir is dotted with the ruins of numerous such temples and architectural marvels including Parihaspora in Pattan, Shankar Gauri Temple in Pattan, Avanti Swami Temple in Avantipura Pulwama, Pani Mandir in Srinagar, Shankaracharya Temple in Srinagar, Martand Sun Temple in Anantnag, amongst numerous others. The Martand Sun Temple was dedicated to Martand, the Sun God. The Temple was built by Lalitaditya Muktapida (r. 724-61 AD) during the years 725 and 756 AD. It represents the apogee of Kashmir temple architecture and is unique for its dimensions and grandeur. In fact, the Sharda Devi Temple in Shardi Village in the Neelam Valley in the Illegally Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (IPOK) was one of the most prominent seats of learning in ancient India. This temple is devoted to Goddess Saraswati – the Goddess of learning and wisdom. The saint Shankaracharya visited this temple too during his visit to Kashmir. Thus, while some of the cultural pride and heritage remains with India, some of the temples and other architectural marvels are located in lands which are now illegally occupied by Pakistan in the illegally Pakistani Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IPOJK). However, in times to come, these lands may again be re-united with India and once again these architectural sculptures – the remnants of our rich Kashmiri culture and heritage – will be ours where they truly belong. And then their restoration to their original form will occur, thus ushering in peace and prosperity once again. Thus, it is historically evident that Kashmir has always been the land of peace, prosperity, wisdom and enlightenment. The sun has risen many a time in Kashmir in the past. But in the dark ages of Kashmir, all the cultural glory was destroyed and Kashmir entered its darkest era – the dark ages. During the later rule of the muslim invaders, the land fell into decay and oblivion. The sun of prosperity and enlightenment which was always shining in Kashmir was now behind dark clouds. Many great spiritual and architectural marvels – like the Martand Temple – were demolished by the Sultan Sikandar in the 14th century. He was given the appellation but shikan – destroyer of idols – by the historians. The dark ages continued even after independence and four wars were fought between India and Pakistan over Kashmir. And the story goes on …
Kashmir RootStock 