Aasai Sharan | Rahul Wanchoo | Ancient Ganesha sites in Kashmir

A SearchKashmir production. 10th in the series

Notes on sites covered in the music video

Ganpatyaar, Habba Kadal, Srinagar 
Shiva shrine of Vardhamanesa near Malyar linked to King Sandhimat [5th century A.D.] mentioned in Kalhana’s Rajatanrangini [12th century] and later Vitastamahatmya. 

During Maharaja Gulab Singh’s rule Dogra Wazir Pannu in 1854 AD builds modern Ganpatyaar temple at the ancient site. 

Ganeshal. Kulgam. 
Elm Trees [“Brân” in Kashmiri] worshipped as Ganesha. Worship of Bran in rural Kashmir was common and there were many such sites. The practice links nature and fertility mother worship which predates the form of Ganesha we now see

Ancient site of Bhimasvamin with Swayambhu (self-manifested) Ganesha at the foot of Hari Parbat.  Kalhana in Rajatanrangini [12th century] mentions it in context of Pravarasena laying the foundation of Srinagar, [c.530–590, Late 6th century].