Kashmir Cultural Heritage ---- II

The background of common life-style of pre-historic Kashmir was discussed in my yesterday’s post. Thus Kashmir developed a unique culture almost unaffected by the rest of the world strictly according to Hindu Philosophy. Almost every nook and corner of the valley become a place of worship and the atmosphere highly spiritual and the places centers of attraction for whole of external population especially those interested in spiritual advancement. The periods that followed gave rise to a population of high-caste Hindus deeply rooted in the studies of scriptures and religiously disciplined life. Consequently with the passage of time the valley was decorated with great seats of learning and knowledge along with spots and places invested with great spiritual power so much so that Kashmir was called a Peetha of Siddhi and the Hindus of plains continued adoring her for being a source of inspiration to lots of knowledge hungry souls for all times to come. Great writers, poets, religious philosophers and thinkers appeared on the scene that created great works of literature, philosophy and theology attracting attention of philosophers and thinkers throughout the world. Great institutions of learning with grand buildings and libraries became centers of attraction for aspirants for exclusive knowledge and learning. Grand temple complexes, some of them great architectural marvels were built by Kings and rulers from time to time firstly to immortalize their personal existence and secondly as a contribution to the rich Kashmir culture. Kashmir developed her own unique religious philosophy Kashmir Shaivism to which great philosophers and thinkers of the valley contributed which is widely renowned throughout the world. Various saints of highest order practiced practically the new philosophy and achieved highest targets of awakening and became beacon lights for numerous knowledge hungry souls in and outside Kashmir. Various indications are available in the Hindu scriptures that some important events in theological history happened in Kashmir due to its authentic and renowned religious settings. Thus Kashmir enjoyed a rich religious and cultural boom for thousands of years while the rest of the world was mostly enveloped in the darkness of depravity and backwardness. -------- (to be continued)