Forgotten Kashmiri Pandit Shrines in North Kashmir!

(Kashmir Rechords Exclusive)

The northern part of Kashmir is rich in shrines and temples historically significant to the Kashmiri Pandits. These sacred structures, once documented by Kashmiri Muslim scholars and travelers a century ago, have largely been forgotten by contemporary historians and writers. However, thanks to the meticulous work of Mohammad Din Fauq, a celebrated writer and journalism pioneer, the legacy of these shrines is not entirely lost.

During his visit to Kashmir in December 1907, Fauq, born in 1877 in Sialkot, then part of the Jammu Province, extensively documented the temples and shrines of Kashmiri Pandits in North Kashmir. Despite passing away in Lahore in 1945, his connection to Kashmir remained unwavering, and his works continue to shed light on the region’s rich cultural and historical heritage.

Fauq’s Pioneering Documentation

Fauq’s travelogue, “Kashmir Safarnama,” is a treasure trove of information on ancient Hindu shrines that once adorned Kashmir’s landscape. Hailing from the Dar clan, with ancestral roots in Hardu Shiva, Sopore, Fauq’s detailed accounts of these shrines offer invaluable insights.

In his “Kashmir Safarnama, of 1907, “ Fauq meticulously records numerous ancient Hindu shrines, such as:

• Nandkeshwar Temple, Seer Jagir, Sopore: Known for animal sacrifices by devotees.
• Chander Naag, Sopore : A unique site in the Jehlum River near Sopore, where Kashmiri Pandits traditionally take their brides to pay obeisance.
• Bhairav Temple, Sopore: Referred to by Fauq as “Kantak Bhairav,” housing a large historical Shivlingam.
• Resh Peer Temple, Sopore: Constructed under the direction of Wazir Pannun, a devout follower of Saint Resh Peer.
• Chandi Devi Tirath, Sopore: A notable spring in the Jehlum River beneath the Sopore bridge.

Historical Shrines in Baramulla and Kupwara

In his travelogue, Fauq also documents various other shrines, including:

• Bemai Shree and Shiva Shrines, Zainagir, Sopore: A significant stop for pilgrims on their way to Sharda at Teetwal.
• Koti Tirath and Gosain Taing, Baramulla: Temples encircling a sacred spring and a historical site along the Baramulla–Uri road.
• Shrines in Kupwara: Including the Kandi Kupwara temple and Dharamshala, the famous Bhadarkali temple, and Shadipora (Shardapur) Safapora, known as Kashmir’s Prayag.

A Legacy of Preservation

Fauq’s work extends beyond just “Kashmir Safarnama.” He authored over a hundred books, including “Mukammil Taareekhe Kashmir,” “Taareekhe Aquame Kashmir,” and “Tazkira E Sultan Zainul Abedin.” These writings have played a crucial role in documenting and preserving Kashmir’s cultural and historical heritage.

As Kashmiri Pandits strive to reclaim their historical shrines, Mohammad Din Fauq’s meticulous documentation remains invaluable. His unbiased and detailed accounts ensure that the rich civilisational heritage of Kashmir, so deeply cherished by its people, will endure for generations to come.