Srinagar

A little about temples in Srinagar

The ambience and space-time of Srinagar valley boast of and transmit divine energy as it has been observed, felt and established. It motivates and eganges the seeker, the devotee in spiritual inclination. Presence of various temples and the history behind them are examples of this fact.

Let us have a glimpse of some existing, important temples of Srinagar. There are in fact temples and places of and for all prevailing religious practices of India in Srinagar. There are Temples, Gurudwara, Masjid, Prayer Halls and Church in the town. Of these, temples dedicated to Shaiva, Vaishnava and Shakt sects are found in Srinagar. Apparently, Srinagar has been a major spiritual centre of Guru Gorakhnath. And hence the Nath cult prevailed by Guru Gorakhnath disciples and the followers is a significant feature of this place at the same time.

Many of the ancient temples were built and re-built around early 16th century, particularly by the kings and noble rulers of Panwar dynasty of Garhwal. Importantly, Srinagar was Garhwal capital and we can understand the privilege it takes for major architectural, cultural and artistic activities taken place during their reign. And equally, many of these got partially or remarkably damaged in subsequent natural calamities especially in the year 1894 during the floods which almost destroyed the old city of Srinagar.

Main temples which have stood these tests of time are Shankar Math, Keshorai Math, Gorakhnath Cave, Kamleshwar Temple, Kapilashram, Laxmi Narayan Temple and some others. Eventually there is equal number of new temple constructions taken place after the devastation; many of them have retained the old names or the pattern itself in their new structure. There is another fact, as Srinagar was quite an important centre of Nath cult, as we already knew it before, the dominance and significance, the image and exposition of olden days Srinagar could be much of blossoming and singing of Nath cult for a reasonable period of time.

Learn more about Ganesh Temple, Kamleshwar Temple, Sri Yantra Tapoo, Shankar Math, Keshorai Math, Baba Gorakhnath Cave, Kans Mardini Temple, and the temples on outskirts and nearby excursions such as Kilkileshwar Mahadev, Dhari Devi - Dhari Village, Ashtavakra Mahadev Temple - Khola Village, Temples at Devalgarh, Temples at Village Sumadi and about some excavation efforts at Ranihat.

At the same time, take a tour to most of the temples through photogallery, which are Kalyaneshwar Temple, Hanumanji Temple, Jain Temple, Gurudwara, Satyanarayan Temple, Sitala Mata Temple, Laxmi Narayan Temple, Chandreshwar Mahadev Temple at Srikot, Taileshwar Mahadev, Badrinath Math Temple, Bhairav Nath Temple, and others in and around Srinagar.

»» A little about Temples in Srinagar

History in Temples

Temples, statues and idols are not mere craftsmanship and architecture. To perceive India and its culture, one needs to go through a rigorous process of understanding and relating rituals, deities, religion with symbols, design and architecture of such temples & monuments. Srinagar has that every aspect which compels you to absorb in this mystique yet simple relationship.

As you see in other places of India, Srinagar also has ample and in fact, a large number of temples and monuments of different scales, small to big. Many a times, the learned traveler of India, firstly the citizen of India, will find a commonness and some sort of replica in all the temples put together.

Difference lies there with the mythological and mystic importance it carries. The legend and the corresponding architecture it exhibits. Interestingly, having been destroyed and survived devastating natural calamities like earthquake and floods a number of times, the composite picture of a place, a site, a temple gives you a reasonable idea of several layers of different times are present randomly in just one single structure. Partially it could be pre historic, partially it could be very ancient, partially it could be of not so distant past.

Our idea is to distinguish between most frequently visited places by the locals as a part of their day-to-day routine and tradition, many of such temples are even smaller in size. And those others which are really mystique, reciprocating the influences of passing time and affected by such damage and destruction. Once they must be a pride placement of its time. Proud is their existence itself as they are standing even today, as they have testified their existence against adverse times. With this we may not rule out at all, for assumption and research work is continually on for many submerged sites across Srinagar valley, across the Alaknanda belt, which are suspected to have been covered, lying beneath few layers of earthy surface.