Kashmiri Architecture At A Glance

What is Kashmiri culture and heritage? I want to shed some light on these topics. Kashmiri Architecture At A Glance As we know culture and heritage are the backbones of every community of people or society. Today we have a post here that describes the Kashmiri architecture since ancient times. The tourists coming for their Kashmir valley tour should visit these places.

The Himalayan valley of Kashmir has been the abode of human civilization from times immemorial. The concrete and abstract aspects of Kashmir culture have been shaped by the impulses of human civilizations that developed in and around it. The continuous waves of human migrations brought in new ideas that reflected themselves in manners rituals, traditions, and architecture. The ancient chronicler of Kashmir Kahana while praising Kashmir, states that Kashmir had from ancient times had saffron iced water, high dwelling houses, and grapes that were common here were not to be found even in paradise. The architectural pattern of Kashmir was shaped by religious Persuasions, that motivated rulers to choose religious and administrative buildings to reflect their majestic idea of power. The domination of Kashmir by Hindu kings up to the 1339 century, Finds clear manifestations in the architectural monuments that have survived. The Muslim rule saw the spate of new architectural ideas that were being imported from central and west Asia however the old forms were never abandoned altogether instead a symphony of old and new features reflected itself in the monumental heritage of Kashmir making the valley culturally rich and intellectually fecund. Some of the most prominent architectural specimens and monuments of great art that survived have been briefly described below.

Hindu Architecture

Shankaracharya Temple

This old Hindu temple is made on top of the hill on the banks of Dal Lake called taketh-e-Suliman. Before visiting this temple one has to climb a long flight of three hundred stairs. the road to the temple from the bottom of the hill is very scenic it is a drive-through thick pine forest and very good views of Dal Lake & Srinagar city can be been seen once you reach on top of the hill. A lot of Hindu devotees who come for the Kashmir trip go and visit this temple early morning for Darshan. They distribute offerings like flowers and sweets.

Pandrethan

The small hamlet of Pandrethan is located three miles from the city of Srinagar on the Pahalgam highway road. At present, its only attraction is a well-preserved medieval temple behind the willows on the left-hand side of the small road. The temple measures 17’6 square externally and belongs to the (Mandapa type) it’s open on all four sides. The unusually bold projection of pilasters that support the pediments of the porches is a great improvement upon the earlier stage, as the boldness of projection and the retirement of the connecting walls afford a great and pleasing variety of light and shade. The roof is of the usual pyramidal type but its monotony is relieved by an ornamental band of dentils that divides it horizontally into two stories. In the upper section of the pyramid are four trefoil-Ed ventilation apertures which remind one forcibly of similar niches in the architecture of Gandhara.

Naranag Temples

A beautiful drive from Srinagar to Kangan on Sonmarg highway when you will drive along the Sindh River, villages, and cornfields you will reach a small village of Kangan and you have to take a left turn and you will drive a less traveled road and reach Wangath the gypsies or Gujar huts will be seen on the nearby mountains the sheep’s grazing on fresh mountain grass and the river flowing rapidly straight you will drive and the road will disappear as you will reach the village of Naranag. There is a group of six temples located within an enclosure wall. The principal temple is a square of 25’this one has two entrances opposite each side. A large quantity of lime has been used to build this temple. The ceiling is built of circular courses of Kankar stone. Outside the northwestern corner of the Peristyle is the large spring, its cool delicious water contributes to some extent to its sanctity.

Muslim Architecture

The coming of the Muslims marked a new beginning in the architectural style of Kashmir. The spread of Islam in Kashmir influenced every walk of life and architecture was not an exception. The influx of Muslim Sufi saints and different persons of craft brought new architectural designs and styles to Kashmir. Persia was already the hub of synergism and different styles and features had already developed there. With the establishment of close contact between Kashmir and Persia, architecture imbibed the features of different schools developed in Kashmir. The Muslims in Kashmir were initially too few to initiate architecture of their own. They, therefore, utilized the materials of disused Hindu temples for the construction of their mosques. An example may be cited of the mosque of Madina sahib. Some of the buildings that best illustrate the architecture of the Muslim period in Kashmir are.

Khanqah-e-Moula:

It is a seat of a holy Persian saint who came from the city of Hamdan. To spread Islam in Kashmir at that time. Situated between the third and fourth bridges on the right bank of Jhelum River. When Shah Hamdan entered Kashmir to preach Islam the ruling monarch, sultan Qutb-ud-din in his honor constructed a Suffa which was later on converted into the Khanqah by Sultan Sikander. It has some beautiful wood carving and paper machine work on its walls and pillars.

Jama Masjid:

The old masjid in Kashmir was made of wood it is a unique piece of Muslim architecture it got burned three times but it was built every time and every time it looked as perfect and new as ever. The original conception and erection of Jamia Masjid are attributed to sultan Sikander who laid its foundations in 1398 and completed it in 1402.

Hari Parbat Fort:

Is a fort situated on the hills of Hari Parbat near Makhdoom Sahib Shrine, Akbar laid the foundation of this fort as an army cantonment for his troops this fort still stands erect there is also a beautiful almond garden near it.

In our Kashmir tour, we take our guests to these places so they can have a good knowledge of Kashmir history and culture.