Roots and Reflections - Exploring Ideas, Experiences and Wisdom

Wular lake, also known as Wolar in Kashmiri is the largest freshwater lake in India and the second largest in Asia, situated on the foothills of Haramukh Mountain. This lake is located in Bandipora district (between towns of Sopore and Bandipora) of Jammu and Kashmir, north of Srinagar. This expansive body of water is renowned not just for its overwhelming beauty, but also for its remarkable ability to transform with the seasons. Golden rays of the setting sun on the vast sheet of water present a most fascinating scene. The lake is irregular in shape and shallow on the sides but sufficiently broad and wide. The lake is a popular tourist destination known for its serene view and various activities viz., boating etc. The lake size varies seasonally from 30 to 189 square kilometers covering almost 16 km in length while its width is 9.6 km. The surface area of the lake is 1580 metre (5180 ft) and maximum depth is 14 metre (46 feet). The Jhelum river flows into it and emerges through the to...

  (Holy Nag inside temple) Amid the picturesque landscapes of South Kashmir, where spirituality and nature have remained deeply intertwined for centuries, stands the revered Mata Kheer Bhawani shrine at Manzgam in Kulgam district. Dedicated to Goddess Ragnya Devi, the sacred shrine occupies an important place in the religious and cultural heritage of the Kashmiri Pandit community. Every year, on the auspicious occasion of Jyeshtha Ashtami, popularly known as Zyeth Atham, devotees gather at the shrine to offer prayers and seek the blessings of Mata Ragnya Devi. The annual Kheer Bhawani Mela is not merely a religious gathering; it is also an expression of faith, cultural continuity, remembrance and the enduring spiritual connection of Kashmiri Pandits with their ancestral land. The Manzgam shrine is one among several important shrines of Mata Ragnya Bhagwati in Kashmir. There is also a Shiv Temple inside the premises and there is big shiva lingam there. Along with the prominent shrin...

Kashmir is renowned across the world for its breathtaking natural beauty, majestic mountains, serene lakes, lush green landscapes and colourful gardens. Among the many attractions that add to the charm of the Valley, the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden in Srinagar occupies a special place. Spread across the foothills of the Zabarwan Range and overlooking the magnificent Dal Lake, the garden has emerged as one of the most prominent tourist attractions of Jammu and Kashmir. The idea of developing a large tulip garden in Srinagar is credited to former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Jenab Ghulam Nabi Azad. The garden was established with the objective of giving a further impetus to tourism and floriculture in the Valley. It was formerly known as Siraj Bagh and was opened to the public in 2007. In Kashmiri, the tulip flower is popularly associated with the name Gul-e-Lala. Over the years, the Tulip Garden has become synonymous with the colourful arrival of spring in Kashmir and has ac...

  It is very unfortunate that on Monday and Tuesday that is 3rd and 4th of August 2026, there were heavy rainfall and cloudbursts in Pahalgam, Ganderbal, Shopian, Bandipora, Kupwara, and before that in Rajouri and Poonch of Jammu division. Also on 5th of July cloudburst rocked Kulgam village and it is a serious issue. It, resulted in loss of lives, and damage to roads, bridges, houses and infrastructure. Several people got killed in various parts of Kashmir. It has been reported that in 2026 till date in 36 cloudbursts ,31 people lost their lives and it is a cause of serious and grave concern. On a cursory look we say that a man has no control over natural fury, correct, but it is also true that cloudbursts and flash floods in Jammu and Kashmir are also of our own creation and are partly man-made. Men and women have become very greedy and they have time and again tinkered with the natures scheme of things and have degraded, downgraded environment by cutting trees, narrowing the riv...

                                The story of Somnath Temple is not merely the story of a temple standing on the western coast of India overlooking the Arabian Sea. It is the story of the resilience of a civilization, the undying spirit of a people, and the eternal continuity of cultural memory that no invasion, destruction, or political upheaval could erase. Somnath stands today not only as a sacred shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva, but as a profound symbol of India’s national consciousness and cultural awakening. Through centuries of turbulence, the temple emerged repeatedly from ruins, carrying within its stones the message that the soul of India can never be conquered. The name Somnath itself means “Lord of the Moon.” According to ancient tradition, the Moon God Soma worshipped Lord Shiva here to free himself from a curse, and thus the temple acquired immense sanctity in Hindu religious tradition. It became...

  Bhagwan Gopinath Ji's Mahotsav is one of the most revered spiritual celebrations for devotees of the great saint and mystic of Kashmir. Observed every year with profound devotion and spiritual fervour, the Mahotsav commemorates the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Gopinath Ji, whose life and teachings continue to inspire thousands of seekers across India and beyond. More than a religious gathering, the Mahotsav represents a celebration of timeless spiritual wisdom, self-realisation, compassion, and the eternal quest for truth. It provides devotees with an opportunity to reconnect with the ideals of inner purity, selfless service, and unwavering faith that Bhagwan Gopinath Ji embodied throughout his extraordinary life. Born on 3 July 1898 in Srinagar, Bhagwan Gopinath Ji emerged as one of the greatest saints produced by the spiritual heritage of Kashmir. He belonged to the rich tradition of Kashmir Shaivism, yet his teachings transcended sectarian boundaries and appealed to people fro...

                             Book Review          Name of the Book - Hues of Kashmir                (Perspectives on Cultural History)             Perspectives on Cultural History                     By Prof Rattan Lal Hangloo                              Pages - 418                             Price - Rs. 1750 Kashmir Hues is a remarkable scholarly work by eminent historian Prof. Rattan Lal Hangloo that presents Kashmir not merely as a geographical entity but as a vibrant civilizational space shaped by spirituality, philosophy, history, literature, and above all cultural pluralism. Through four well-crafted essays, the aut...