Celebrating Saraswathi Pooja ~ Kashmir Sharada Peetam

Today is a significant day – Saraswati Pooja – invocations to the Goddess of learning and wisdom.

Most of us may not know the river ‘Kishanganga’ (wish that in my lifetime, am able to visit that area!).. .. and a lake there -  The Krishansar Lake is an alpine high elevation oligotrophic lake situated near Sonamarg, in the Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir,  at an elevation of 3,710 metres (12,170 ft).  The Neelum River, or Kishanganga River, is a river in the Kashmir region that originates in India and    flows through the Neelam Valley in Pakistan's occupied Kashmir.  The river has traditionally been known as the Kishanganga River; after the partition of India in 1947, the river was renamed the Neelum River. 

Owing to its breathtaking natural beauty and rich spiritual legacy, Kashmir has always attracted people belonging to different faiths. The region is home to numerous holy sites, including the temples of Jammu, the Gompas of Ladakh, and the shrines, mosques and temples of the Kashmir Valley. Amidst this spiritual mosaic lies the enigmatic Sharda Peeth, a pilgrimage site of immense significance for the Hindu community,   the abode of the goddess Saraswati — the embodiment of knowledge and wisdom. 

The festival of “Navarathri” is about to finish and today is Saraswathi Pooja.  Tomorrow is Vijayadasami.    Navrathri is 9 day long festivity to  Goddesses Durga, Maha Lakshmi and Saraswathi.    It is customary in Southern States to keep display known as ‘bommai Golu” (display of dolls).  This is an ornate exhibition of various dolls and figurines of Gods, National Leaders, Fruits, Vegetables, Animals etc.,  Traditionally the dolls used to be made of earthern soil, now a days many are of paper.  The dolls are carefully kept packed throughout the year and are displayed during these nine days of “Navarathri”.  Every day, people invite their near and dear.  People visit the houses of Relatives, neighbours and friends for seeing the Bommai Golu and for exchanging pleasantries.  Gifts are also given to visitors. Each day, offerings  including various types of sundal are made to the dolls.   

The 9^th day is devoted to Saraswathi, the Goddess of Learning and special poojas are offered to  Goddess Saraswati - the divine source of wisdom and enlightenment. Books, pens, education oriented things  and musical instruments are placed in the puja and worshipped as a source of knowledge.  Also, tools are placed in the pooja as part of "Ayudha Pooja". Vehicles are washed and decorated, and puja is performed for them.  Most shop keepers also clean their shops,  have them white washed and conduct pooja praying for their well being.

Ask any proud resident of Thiruvallikkeni divyadesam – the address or significance of   Saraswathi Bhandaram – once the storehouse of knowledge, that had a great library of books (palm leaf manuscripts !) , that was purposefully built to be a Press for Sri Vaishnava literature (publication of granthams in Telegu) and ran as a manual printing press for many important books .. ..  most likely that people may not know ! but ask them where ‘komutti bungalow’ – is, you could easily be directed to the odd houses in an agraharam near Sri Peyalwar sannathi to the north of Sri Parthasarathi Swami temple. 

The pristine land of Kashmir nestled in the midst of Great Himalayas gets its name from Sage Kashyapa. Legend has it the central valley of Kashmir was once fully inundated making it a huge ocean-like lake. It was  Sage Kashyapa who drained the waters and made the valley hospitable.   The land got its name as Kashyapa-Mira which later came to be known as Kashmir.  This region  is the abode of Goddess Saraswati who appeared to  Sage Paulastya   in the form of a Swan.    The Sharada Peeth on the banks of Krishna Ganga river in Kashmir was the nodal centre of ancient Indian wisdom for centuries.  Swami Ramanujar along with Koorathazhwan went to Sri Bhandaram  at Kachmeeram for Bodhayana vriti – and later became Bashyakarar. 

Centuries ago, there existed the cult of Vaishnavism,  there were scholars of Vaishnavaite cult and there are epigraphical evidences of its flourishing stature.  Miles away in the Line of control that divides Pakistan occupied Kashmir from our Kashmir, lies Sharada Peeth,   temple dedicated to the goddess Sarasvatī (Sharda), on the banks of Neelum River.  Kachmeeram was once centre of learning of  Vedic works until the people dwelling before many invasions and killings.   Sharada was called Kashmira Puravasini (resident of city of Kashmir) – many  web references state that  their salutation was " "Namastey Sharada Devi Kashmir Pur Vasini Tvam Ham Prartheye Nityam Vidya Danam Che De hi mey" (Salutations to you, O Sharada, O Goddess, O one who resides in Kashmir. I pray to you daily, please give me the charity of knowledge).  The Peedam was the nerve centre of learning and it was the Sharda script which was in use.     Sharda Temple had the main girdle of 22 feet diameter.  Sadly only ruins remain now !!!

Nearly a thousand year ago, our Acharyar Sri Ramanujar on a pilgrimmage visited Srinagar searching for manuscript of Bodhayana-vritti, a commentary  on the Brahmasutra by Bodhyana.  His ardent disciple Kuresar was able to memorise it in one glance; the commentary of Udayavar is known as Sri Bashyam ~ Goddess of learning Saraswathi approving Sri Bashyam conferred the title  ‘Bashyakara’ on Sri Ramanujar.  Thus was fulfilled the main desire of Alavandhar – writing of an authoritative and illuminating commentary on Brahma sutra. 

Kashmir is associated with Adhi Sankarar.  He  wrote  ‘Saundarya Lahari’, in praise of Shakti, at the top of the hill, known till then as Gopadari Hill.  The Shankaracharya Temple is situated on the top of the Shankaracharya hill, also called Gopadari Hill,  in the Zabarwan Mountain in Srinagar, Kashmir. The temple is on the summit of the same name at a height of 1,000 feet (300 m) above the plain and overlooks the city of Srinagar.  

Recently, the spotlight has once again fallen on Sharda Peeth. During the virtual inauguration of the Mata Sharda Devi Temple in Teetwal, Kupwara [in India-held Jammu and Kashmir] on March 22, 2023, Indian home minister Amit Shah proposed that Sharda Peeth, which is located in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), should be opened for Hindu pilgrims travelling from India. Shah believes that the temple’s establishment marks a turning point in unravelling the mysteries of the Sharda civilisation and its script.  

Given the newfound interest in Sharda Peeth, it’s crucial to take a closer look at its heritage and importance in Hinduism. Moreover, we need to examine the prospects of opening the site for pilgrimage, taking into account the ongoing public discourse in AJK.  

Behind the Name:  Sharda is regarded by Hindus as an incarnation of the goddess Saraswati and is considered to be the goddess of learning and knowledge. Interestingly, the Sanskrit etymology of the term Sharda could also be related to ancient terms meaning “flow or stream” and “blow, tip or rock” as the site was situated at the confluence of three streams. Peeth simply means seat or abode. This fascinating etymology sheds light on the significance of this enigmatic site and its deep connection to the natural landscape of Kashmir.  

Sharda Peeth in Azad Jammu and Kashmir holds immense religious, historical and anthropological significance. But can its importance escape the confines of Pak-India tensions? Situated along the Neelum River, the site is perched at a height of 6,499 feet above sea level, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. It is approximately 150km from Muzaffarabad, the capital city of AJK, and 130km from Srinagar. Interestingly, Sharda Peeth is only 10km away from the Line of Control (LoC).  

Sharda Peeth was also a centre of pilgrimage for Hindus who believed that the temple was the abode of the goddess Saraswati, the deity of learning and wisdom. It welcomed many historical and religious figures over the centuries, including the renowned Hindu religious guru Adi Shankaracharya.

Despite the damage caused due to floods, and its remote location, the temple’s historical significance can still be observed in the inscriptions and manuscripts found in the surrounding areas. These documents were written in the ancient Sharda script, used for writing Sanskrit and other languages in the Kashmir Valley. The Sharda script was so influential that it earned Kashmir the nickname “Sharda Desh”, meaning “country of Sharda.”  

As one of the Maha Shakti Peethas, Hindus consider Sharda Peeth as the spiritual location of the goddess Sati’s fallen right hand. It is one of the three holiest sites of pilgrimage for Kashmiri Pandits, along with the Martand Sun Temple and the Amarnath Temple. Despite its significance, the exact beginnings of Sharda Peeth are unclear and the question of its origin is difficult to answer, because it may have been both a temple and an educational institution.  

Historical references : Al-Biruni recorded the place for the first time as a revered shrine housing a wooden image of Sharda. However, he had never ventured into Kashmir and based his observations primarily on hearsay. Kalhan, the famous historian who wrote Rajatarangini, said that disciples of the 8th century Gaud King Lalitaditya had come all the way from Bengal to Kashmir to pay a visit to this Sharda Mandir. Mughal emperor Akbar’s grand vizier Abul Fazal, who is renowned as the author of the Akbarnama, has also made a reference to this place, describing the stone-crafted Sharda Mandir as a beautiful temple situated on the bank of the river Madhumati (Kishan Ganga).  

With time, this revered location has become the subject of many intriguing myths and legends. Some are so bizarre that they may seem unfounded or completely unbelievable. Nonetheless, they continue to fascinate and mystify those who visit this enigmatic place. Here are just a few of the captivating tales that have been woven into the tapestry of Sharda Peeth’s mystique.  

According to one myth, the river near Sharda Peeth is cursed and anyone who tries to cross it will face terrible consequences. Some people believe that the river is inhabited by evil spirits that will drag unsuspecting travellers underwater. One popular legend declares that a large rock near the temple floats in the air during certain times of the day. Devotees believe that touching the rock brings good luck and prosperity. Another myth goes that the Pandavas, the five legendary brothers and the heroes of the Hindu epic The Mahabharata, visited the temple during their exile and were refused entry by the temple priests. In anger, the Pandavas cursed the temple, which led to its downfall. It is also said that the idol of Saraswati was stolen from the temple by a thief who later returned it after being haunted by the goddess in his dreams.  

Similarly, some believe that the goddess Saraswati cursed the temple after a king named Prahlad refused to pay homage to her. As a result of the curse, the temple was abandoned and fell into ruin. The proposal to open the Sharda Peeth Corridor has sparked heated debate and also courted controversy. Despite Pakistan’s repeated expressions of willingness to facilitate Hindu pilgrimage to the Sharda Peeth Temple, concerns about the practicality and security of opening the corridor remain valid.  It is worth noting that Pakistan has already set a precedent of opening corridors for religious tourism, such as the Kartarpur Corridor for Sikh pilgrims. However, the situation in Kashmir is markedly different from that of Punjab, and the circumstances surrounding the opening of the Sharda Peeth Corridor must be carefully considered.   

Simply opening the corridor without addressing the underlying issues and grievances of the people is not enough and may even lead to further tensions in the region. Therefore, a comprehensive and inclusive approach must be adopted, to ensure that the Sharda Peeth Corridor becomes a symbol of hope and unity rather than a source of conflict and tension. 

Wonder what ?  - the text highlighted in above was published in Dawn in May 2023.  https://www.dawn.com/news/1751139. As you would know, Dawn is the largest English newspaper in Pakistan, and is widely considered the country's newspaper of record.  Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Pakistan's founding father, launched the newspaper in Delhi on 26 October 1941, with the goal of establishing it as a mouthpiece for the All-India Muslim League. It is now based in Karachi.

  

On this special day, let us improve our wisdom and vow to educate all children providing them right opportunities to read, learn and develop in life.

  

With regards – S Sampathkumar

12.10.2024