Notes on Pilgrimages in the Country of Cashmere, 1866

“The tendency of the Hindu inhabitants of Cashmere, to localise in his own small, though levelly valley the fabled incidents of his religion, common to all lands where the Brahminical faith prevails, is, I believe generally known. In putting on record, therefore, a few notes on the pilgrimages of Cashmere, I may be, perhaps merely on a small scale, assigning to local spots the fables which more properly belong to the entire Hindu Pantheon, and have their localities elsewhere in Hindustan.”

1. Amarnath

Fourteen places for bathing (snan)

Stops:

Srinagar, Pandrethon, Padinapore,Jubroroo(?), Awantipore, Hurriepore (?), Wagahamoo, Husti-ki-nar-Nargum, Chakredhar, Deojie-zan,Wuzzeeshur,Hurrrichundra Raj, Tejwarrah, Soorie Goophar, Succur-gaom, Buddraroo, Sullur, Ganeshbul, Neela Gunga, Tanashur, Panch Taringini, Amreeshur, 

2. Hur Moktur Gunga (Gungabul)

four days before mid summer.

Vecha Kund (Vichar Nag), about a mile from the shores of Dul Lake on road towards Lar.

Walk along marshes of Hakrit Bul, reach Gundoor Nagar.

Mahirji gaon

Numoor

Karrung-ka-Nuddue

Ramaradun

Mahulish Merg

Mumsadar

Mundi-Kettur

Gangbul

Nara Nag

Wangut

Woosun

Ends back at Vichar Nag

3. Pilgrimage to Martund

Seven places for snan

Deokie Yar

Doomia Shrum

Anant Nag

Gutim Nag

Charkabul

Ends at Anant Nag

4. Pilgrimage to Vitasta Kund

Ten places for snan

Sooneyar

Gunpatyaar

Mullyar

Shriya

Bijbehara

Waupoosh, a part of old Bijbehara

Hur Nag

Virnag

[reference in paper to ‘Keer Bownie’…Khir Bhawani…]

Vitasta Kund

Kootee Teerut via Baramula

5. Pilgrimage to Suhoojun Teerut

Three places for snan

Mahadamuttie

Luhoojun (fire from earth). Pandits cook rice.

Return to Mahadamuttie

6. Pilgrimage to Kapal Muchan

Taken by grave sinner

[See separate note of Anand Koul on it]

7. Pilgrimage to Sheeva DEvi

In Bring Pergunnah. For old people. 

Shahabad towards Meribul Pass

8. Pilgrimage to Kunhyie Matar

Four places for Snan

Related to draining of valley.

Baramula

Papaharun Nag

Kinchijie Matar

Return to Baramula

9. Pilgrimage to Teiposh Kur

Two places for snan

In Bongil Pergunna. 

Karg

10. Second pilgrimage to Vitasta Kund

Eight places of snan

Kanibul

Meeting point of Vitasta, Sumbooderi and Rhiddur (Lidder)

Deokie Zar

Bejbehara

Sungum

Shriya

Mullyar

Gunputyar

Soomyar

Baramula

11. Pilgrimage of Raja Bhageerut, deity of Vitasta.

Ten places of snan

Kanibul

Sumbooderi Tirat

Deokieyar

Bijbehara

Sungum

Shriya

Mullyar

Gunpatyar

Soomyar

Baramula