ARTICLES
Zain-ul-Abidin
Zain-ul-Abidin was the eighth Sultan of Kashmir during the Shah Mir Dynasty, and he was the son of Sikander Butshikan, who was known for iconoclasm and bigoted policies towards Kashmiri Hindus. However, unlike his father, Zain-ul-Abidin was renowned for his religious...
Sikander Butshikan: Idol Destroyer
Who was Sikandar? Sikandar Shah Miri, commonly known as Sikandar Butshikan (Sikandar the Iconoclast), succeeded Qutb'd-Din in 1389 AD to become the 6th Sultan of the Shah Mir Dynasty of Kashmir. Under the rule of the Shah Mir Dynasty (1339-1561), especially during the...
Sufis of Kashmir
Sufism in Kashmir can first be traced back to Sayyed Sharfuddin Abdur Rahman, who was one of the earliest known Sufis in Kashmir and is said to have come to Kashmir from Turkistan in the 13th century. Sufism, although generally perceived as completely peaceful and...
Lalithaditya Muktapida
According to Rahul Pandita’s memoir (“Our Moon has Blood Clots: The Exodus of the Kashmiri Pandits”), one of the two golden phases in Kashmir’s history was during the reign of impressive military leader and ruler Lalitaditya Muktapida, who also built the Sun Temple at...
Kashmiri Buddhist History
Arrival of Buddhism 150 years after the passing of Buddha, his teachings spread across Kashmir through monks such as Mahajjantika. Buddhism was prominent in Kashmir during the rule of the Buddhist king, Surrendra, who erected the first 'vihāras' (monasteries) across...
The Exodus Of Kashmiri Pandits Explained
By Amaanbali, Original post here September 14, 1989 was a sunny day when Pandit Tika Lal Taploo, President of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Kashmir Chapter and a lawyer by profession, came out of his home in Bhan Mohalla locality of Srinagar and headed to the High...
Kashmir’s Early Indigenous History
The history of Kashmir is founded upon its determination for scholarly aptitude in the Dharmic realm. Since its origin, renowned scholars, sages and philosophers visited this pious land to obtain knowledge and to progress spiritually. Historical Origins of Kashmir and...
Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple: The Epitome of Beauty
By Amrita Ramaswamy Aananda-Ruupe Nija-Bodha-Ruupe Brahma-Svaruupe Shruti-Muurti-Ruupe | Shashaangka-Ruupe Ramanniiya-Ruupe Shriirangga-Ruupe Ramataam Mano Me| Meaning: Adi Shankara says in this compostition that his mind delights in the divine form of Lord...
The Temples Of Krishna’s Janmabhoomi
Lord Krishna was the most revolutionary and dynamic figure in Indian history. As an extraordinary political leader, a practical philosopher, and kingmaker, he is venerated as the 8th incarnation of Lord Vishnu. 'Krishna made play divine', was declared by 'Sister...
Konark Sun Temple: Incredible Architecture and Deep Science
India has many temples that are known for their incredible history and architecture. One such example is the Konark Sun temple. About an hour away from the historic city of Puri in Orissa, Konark Sun temple stands tall, bathing in the golden sunlight of the morning....
The Somanatha Temple
The Somnāth temple is the first of the ‘12 Jyotirlingas' (earthly representations of Lord Shiva). The temple is located on the Western coast of Gujarat, near Junagadh at the ‘Prabhāsa Kshetra’ in the Saurāshtra (also known as Kāthiyāwār) region. It is one of the most...
Sabarimala Temple: History, Traditions, & Architecture
India and South Asia are home to countless exquisite places of worship. No where is this statement truer than in South India, specifically in Kerala. The famous Ayyappa Swamy Temple in Sabarimala is not only one of the most visited pilgrimage sites for Hindus, but it...
