Forgotten Temples of Kashmir
Photo series Part-1 An effort to preserve and record Hindu cultural and religious heritage of Kashmir SAIKH RAZA…..OF VILLAGE WANPORA [NAHAMA] |
Wanpora popularly known as Thanther Wanpor is a small village in Pulwama District. This village forms the boundary between Pulwama and Badgam District on the West side. Kashmiri Pandits were also residing in the village up to 1990. Saikh Raza was the village diety of the Kashmiri Pandit families. No Pandit family is presently residing in this village. This village is famous for Thanther [blacksmith], a class who were making loya thaal, khias, Kanzi Khias, dul, gada, thoor etc for Kashmiri Pandits. Wanporek Thanther was very famous throughout the valley. Before 1990 one could hear the beating of louy from the shops situated on the bank of a small stream coming down from Saikh Raza temple. This temple is situated in the north-west of the village at an isolated place surrounded by paddy fields and dense trees. A small stream is also flowing in front of this temple having muddy water [Gurei Woan in Kashmiri]. It remains muddy throughout the year. Sh. Ajay Pandita of village Lajura [Pulwama], who is still residing in his native village along with his family, accompanied me to this temple. It was 8th August 2009 at about 3 p.m. After reaching the temple we started cutting the wild shrubs grown inside the burnt temple, collected idols, which were scattered in the premises of the temple, arranged them near the trunk of the Banyan Tree [Bren in Kashmiri], applied sandoor, fixed three red jindis on the bran tree, lighted doop etc and went to capture. About 18 village children were watching our actions with rapt attention. It was learnt that some miscreants set the temple on fire in October 1990. However the land of the temple has not been encroached till date. It has become a barren land now. |
Baniyan tree [Bren in Kashmiri] was burnt in the year 1990 |
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Mutilated idols |
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*Born on 20th March, 1960 in Murran a village in North Kashmir, Chander M. Bhat is presently working as an Assistant Supdt. Posts, in Department of Posts, Govt. of India. His articles regarding Posts and of non-political nature stand widely published in various papers and magazines of the country. A booklet “How to Collect Stamps” published by the Department of Posts, has earned him genuine accolades. He worked on the project of tracing the roots of his co-villagers and of the village Murran, resulting into the culmination of a widely acclaimed book “Murran …My Village”. Man with depth, Chander M. Bhat has also another book, “Ocean by Drops” (collection of poems) in his vase having colorful poems. His book “Ancient History of Jammu and Kashmir”, confirms his researching capability. Various research papers like “The Splendor that is Amarnath” and “Vitasta…The Sacred River of Kashmir” are valuable additions to his works that has proved very fruitful and guiding force in the exile period of Kashmiri Pandits community of which the author is also a member.
Presently the author is working on “OOL…THE NEST” a six volume project on all the 595 [each volume of about 2500 pages] Kashmiri Pandit villages of Kashmir. |
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I think it is excellent job to recall the forgotten monuments,memories. It was really the golden period in which the belonging to various faiths, ideologies, strata of life presented a multi-coloured culture. A beautiful glory! By these images I recall my childhood, my class mates, my friends and my Pandit mentors. I can't express it in words!!! Thanks to the compiler. My good wishes for my excellent teacher, Late Pandit Brij Nath, Late Dr. S. N. Koul, Late Deena Nath.
Added By Mohammad Ibrahim
Appreciable job by the author. I would like to request him to capture "MANGLESHWER TEMPLE" near M.P.School Srinagar.
Added By K.L. Tickoo
Mr. C.L. Bhat is not only doing a great work for the KP community but is also making the present generation understand what we have lost. I know Mr. Bhat personally and I can say that His work is self less and beyond compare.
Added By Vimal Bhat
Chander M. Bhat is doing a great job by appraising the younger generation about our cultural heritage in Kashmir.
Added By Manoj Koul
Thanks Sir for soothing my eyes after seeing Baladevi again....
Added By Archana Bhat
thanks sir,its really very nice to see baladevi after so long time.I was almost back to my childhood,after goin thru these pictures.
Added By Bindu Ritesh Koul
I'm a devotee of Bala, CHandika and Sri Lalitha.Since the time i had read about the Bala temples in Nemili in TN and Balahama, J&k, I somehow felt that before i die, I should make a darshan of the Devi at both these places. I also would like to contribute some money for the upkeep of this temple in Balahama. Let me know the best way.
Added By Meru Savarni