Temple Antiques of Kashmir

The recovery of a stone Shiva Lingam from the river Vitasta (Jhelum) near the Army camp of Khanpora in Baramulla, Kashmir dating back to the 10th century must make it clear that the Shaivite heritage of Kashmir is too rich and it has withstood the vagaries of time and people. As per official statement the Shiv Lingam has been handed over to the Department of Archives, Archaeology and Museums for preservation. The point that must concern all the lovers of heritage is that the heritage has to be preserved. It includes both tangible and intangible heritage. As such preservation is indeed important. But one must go beyond this jargon when the issue is related to the idols and Shiva Lingams that were and are being worshipped by the adherents of the faith to this day. The ethno-religious conflict that engulfed the valley in 1989-1990 led to the vandalization of many temples leading to the violation of Indic aesthetics and place consciousness of Kashmir that was known to be the nucleus of the Shaiva Trika Tantra Parampara popularly known as Kashmir Shaiv Darshan. It originated in Kashmir and travelled far and wide across the continents. Not only that, Kashmirian Shaivites Sanskritised Buddhism and took it across Central Asia, China and other nations. The name of Kumarajiva shines like a pole star in this case. Conflict and turmoil made the valley witness devastation of the temples by the vested interests and not only that many artifacts have been lost to cartels  who have and are indulging in an illegal business pertaining to this temple treasure. In October 2024, a joint team of Rainawari Kashmiri Pandit Action Committee(RKPAC) and its important constituent unit Jogishwari Mandir Trust of  Ghat Jogi Lanker, Rainawari, Srinagar paid a visit to the ancient Jogishwari Temple(Lokut Mandir)  at Rainawari after more than three decades of the internal displacement of the Kashmiri Pandit community and to their utter surprise they found the antique and ancient “Saptik” (Crystal) Shiv Lingam missing from the temple and the idol of Goddess Durga was also in mutilated condition. This created a furore.It is also pertinent to mention that in the same locality another equally important and ancient Shiv Lingam was lost from the Shiv Ji Temple(Bodh Mandir) in the Kralyar while was later recovered from the nearby Rainawari canal on whose banks this temple is located. It was taken into custody by the police. But the adherents got possession of this ancient Shiv Lingam after  decades. They had to fight a legal battle to get it back. It was recently handed over to B.L.Jalali, President(RKPAC) who fought this legal battle for a long time. Jogishwari Temple(Lokut Mandir) has another property located at Brein, Nishat known as Gopi Tirath.It is in kanals, over the years encroachment of this land has taken place.This place holds significance as it has a tantric value that can be ascertained from its natural spring that has many healing powers. Thus, there is a need to  restore these temples and their lands to their rightful owners and start a devoted hunt to recover the idols and Shiva Lingams.Preservation and conservation of the recovered idols and Shiva Lingams will be total when they are restored in their original temples all over Kashmir and the local temple committees are empowered and supported by the government to manage and sustain them.