Temples, Hindu: Jammu & Kashmir
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Temples in Jammu & Kashmir
Written by Manas Srivastava
New Delhi | Updated: September 9, 2022 5:16:28 pm
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What is the important source to study the early history of Kashmir?
—The main source to study the history of Kashmir is the Rajatarangini written in A.D 1148-1150 by Kalhana in Sanskrit language.
—It is considered as a reliable source of history of Kashmir especially for the period from about A.D 600 onwards perhaps with the foundation of Karkota dynasty by Durlabhavardhana early in the seventh century.
—Rajatarangini provides reliable and comprehensive information on political, administrative, religious and economic condition during Kalhana’s times.
Who have been some famous rulers in the early history of Kashmir?
Karkota dynasty
—Durlabhavardhana
Chinese pilgrim, Hsuan Tsang visited Kashmir and spent three years from A.D 631 to 633. He left a detailed account on Kashmir and its people, Buddhist monastries, Ashokan stupas containing relics of Buddha.
His territories extended beyond Kashmir and was the first king of Kashmir to issue coins, according to Chinese annals.
—Lalitaditya
He was known for his military exploits and active patronge of arts and letters.
The most important exploit of his career was the defeat of Yasovarma of Kanauj and the annexation of his kingdom. He founded many towns and settlements and bulits temples and mathas.
In Parihasapura he built four Vaishnava shrines with gold and silver images, a Buddhist temple enshrinig a brass image, and a monastery. The most important religoius foundation laid by Lalitaditya was the Sun temple at Martanda.
Utpala dynasty
—Avantivarma
He is known for brought peace, prosperity and stability on Kashmir with the help of his loyal minister named Sura.
He founded Avantipura and built two great temples of Avantisvami and Avantisvara there.
His court consisted of authors and poets such as Bhatta Kallata, Muktakana, Sivasvami, Ratnakara and Anandavardhana.
His reign is also known for the engineering achivements of Suyya. Suyya devised technique of controlling the waters of the river Jhelum and increasing the amount of cultivable land. It involved the imrovement of facilities of irrigation.
—Sankaravarma
His expeditions drained Sankaravarma’s treasury and forced him to impose heavy taxes. His extortions fell heavily on temple endowments, priestly corporations, and on the cultivators who were further opressed by forced labour.
