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LALITADITYA MUKTAPIDA: THE GREAT KARKOTA RULER OF KASHMIR

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Lalitaditya Muktapida: A Glorious Epoch in Kashmir’s History Lalitaditya Muktapida (C. 724-760 CE) takes a special place in the history of Kashmir. This great ruler of the Karkota dynasty deserves his place in history for his military genius, ability to rule, patronage of the arts and architecture, and his contribution to the cultural history of ancient Kashmir. The reign of Muktapida is considered to be one of the most brilliant epochs in the history of Kashmir when the region flourished as a political, cultural and religious center. Kalhana, the famous 12th-century Kashmiri historian and author of Rajatarangini, describes Lalitaditya as a great conqueror whose ambitions knew no bounds. According to Kalhana, the king’s military campaigns knew no limits and took him beyond the borders of modern-day Kashmir. Lalitaditya faced the ruler of Kannauj, King Yashovarman, and defeated him before undertaking new campaigns in the east and south of the subcontinent. However, the great king’s fame...
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Sharda Peeth: The Lost University of Ancient Kashmir

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The word "Sharda" in Sanskrit denotes both Goddess "Saraswati", and Goddess "Durga". The Kashmiri Pundits, all of whom are Saraswat Brahmins, revere this Goddess Sharda as a symbol of their wisdom and strength. Hence also the name of the village "Shardi" situated at a height of about 3400 metres from the sea level and that lies in between Gurej and Karnah: the two places in what has now been named as Neelam valley in the Pakistan Occupied part of Kashmir. One can reach "Shardi" in about four hours from Muzaffarbad. Since old times, the village "Shardi" was renowned for the temple of Goddess Sharda, and Sharda Peetham or the Centre for Advanced Learning, in modern parlance. At Shardi, the remains of the temple and the University (if one may call it so) can still be seen. In fact, it is stated that just before the partition, an annual fair used to be held at village Shardi on the eighth day of the Shukla Paksha, of Bhadrapada, w...
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Shriya Bhat – Hakeem, Great Statesman & Savior of Kashmiri Hindus

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Shri Bhat was a legendry Kashmiri Pandit,a capable, able Hakim, a great statesman and above all the saviour of Kashmiri Pandits. Kashmiri Pandits are indebted to this great man for having ensured their saving and for having made Budsha to cease persecution of Kashmiri Pandits. Not only he persuaded King Zanul-ab-Din to end the persecution of Kashmiri Hindus but also ensured the communities return and rehabilitation. For all this the Kashmiri Pandits are remembering and commemorating the birth anniversary of Shri Bhat. So long as there is sun in this universe,the name of Shriya Bhat will remain etched deeply in the memory of the Kashmiri Pandits.Shriya Bhat also spelled as Shri Bhat was a 15th century Kashmiri Pandit Physician ,surgeon,and advisor to the Kashmiri sultan Zain-ul-Abdin (1420-1470), widely revered for reviving Hindu culture after persecution by Muslim rulers He treated Sultan, and in gratitude ,used his influence to abolish the Zazia tax and restored temples. Shriya Bhat w...
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Moti Lal Kemmu: A Visionary Artist

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Moti Lal Kemmu was born in Fateh Kadal, Srinagar, in 1933, and he started dancing at a very young age. He used to say, "Dancing came to me naturally." As a result of his love for dance, he was introduced to a stage very early on, where he first performed as a dancer and then eventually earned small acting roles. He cites Gopi Nath from Anantnag (also known as "Gopi Bache") as an inspirational figure for him during his childhood. At that time, Parsi Theatre was involved in the productions and performances of the local theatre. Kaziran drama (Folk Drama of Kashmir) beautiful traditional & cultural based genres of drama. Akanandan (Tarachand Bismil) produces the predominant performances of the Parsi Theatre. In 1953, there was a significant movement in Kashmir called the "Cultural Congress." Even though he was very interested in painting, many of the young people in Kashmir were also interested in Dance and Drama. Therefore, after completing his undergrad...
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Sacred Flora of Trikuta Hills

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The three towering peaks of the Trikuta Hills are a well known, worldwide pilgrimage to Mataa Vaishno Devi’s shrine. The shrine itself is situated in a beautiful setting among pine trees, so we get many thousands of devotees from many miles away, both in and outside of India; who all pay their respects to the Goddess Vaishno Devi, asking for spiritual blessings and for peace and harmony throughout all humanity. The trek to the holy shrine starts at the Banganga river and continues through beautiful areas such as Charan Paduka, Adh Kuwari and Bhairo Ghati until you finally arrive at the sacred shrine in Vaishno Devi Bhawan. As you walk along the trek, you get to see an abundance of stunning flowers that adorn the area within the beautiful hilly landscape that you are walking through. Holy shrine is celebrated through numerous phases (i.e., Autumn, Winter, etc.) based on their characteristics as they relate to the pilgrim's journey. Autumn is characterised by hues of falling foliage ...
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Captain Vikram Batra: The Fearless Warrior of Tiger Hill

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Captain Vikram Batra is remembered as one of the bravest soldiers of india.He was born on 9 September 1974 in Palampur, Himachal Pradesh. He belonged to a simple and loving family. His parents were Girdhari Lal Batra and Kamal Kanta Batra. He had a twin brother, Vishal and both of them were lovingly called “Luv and Kush” at home. Vikram completed his schooling from D.A.V Public School and Kendriya Vidyalaya in Palampur. Later, he joined D.A.V College in Chandigarh. During college, he became an active member of NCC (Air Wing) and was awarded the Best NCC Cadet of the North Zone. He once got a good job offer in the Merchant Navy in Hong Kong. But he did not accept it because he wanted to join the indian Army. He believed serving the country was more important than earning money. He cleared the Combined Defence Services Examination and joined the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun. In December 1997, he became a Lieutenant in 13th Battalion of the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles (13 JAK Rif). Hi...
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Ladakhi Apricot - Wonder Fruit

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One of the most nutritious, enjoyable and commercially valuable fruit crops in Ladakh, apricot (Prunus armeniaca) locally called as "chulli" is grown across a substantial area of Ladakh with major distribution found in Sham areas (lower Ladakh). These locations include Dha-Hanu, Garkhon, Skurbuchan, Domkhar, Wanla, Khaltse and Timosgang. Ladakh is thought to have received its first apricot from either China or Central Asia about 100 years ago. Now it is one of the most desirable and commercially grown crops in Ladakh, making it an important crop to the people of Ladakh. Due to the apricot's unique, hardy/tolerant and durable characteristics, apricot trees will grow in many different environments and very different soil types in Ladakh that all have low nutrition and water available and which are located in an arid region known locally as "Cold Desert." The apricot tree can grow to a height of approximately 4-7 m, has heart-shaped leaves and produces flowers in t...
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Manali–Leh Highway Journey

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The mountains, lakes, fields, and snow can inspire poets, painters, and thinkers to create beautiful works of art. The drive from Manali on the way to Leh and back through the high terrain of the Lahaul Spiti region in Himachal Pradesh has everything, and this unique drive will provide a new experience for poets and photographers alike. Although winter conditions and hazardous roads are present on parts of this drive, anyone who is passionate about discovering this challenging road will appreciate how breathtaking the view from there is. It is best to carry heavy winter clothing when traveling throughout the year, however, you will first have contact with the unpredictable weather at Solang Valley, which is located only 10 km from Manali. You will go from being on a beautiful sunny day to being engulfed in pitch darkness within minutes after arriving at Solang Valley. The primary stop-over for many travelers on their trip between Pahalgam and Manali is at Marhi, which is home to both a...
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Prof. Ram Nath Shastri and Dogri Renaissance

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Early Dogri Poetry and Royal Patronage under Maharaja Ranvir Singh The earliest examples of Dogri Poetry are found in the work of Rama Datta Bhadwal (Dattu), a poet from the late-18th century who essentially wrote in Braj Bhaskari (language), as well as in the Poetry of Lal Ram Dhan, Ganga Ram Mathara Das and Kanshi Ram (known as Pahari Gandhi), with respect to Dogri Poetry - again, none of which can be considered a systematic Body of Poetry or Prose before the arrival of Dogri as an Official Language, with a Royal Patronage, under Maharaja Ranvir Singh's reign; when Maharaja also ordered that the then-current Dogri script be modified and improved. In fact, the Government issued all official notices and orders in both languages - Dogri and Persian - and Dogri was also used on Revenue Stamps, Postage Stamps, and Currency Notes. Additionally, a number of important works in other languages have been translated into Dogri, with Adam's Mathematical book, Lilakriti, being the first o...
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