NOT FOR SALE
ESTD, 1915
JANUARY, 2014
NEWS LETTER
BRAHMAN MAHA MANDAL KASHMIR (Regd.)
Ganesh Road Ganpatyar, Srinagar
Working Office: H.No. 22, Sunder Singh Road, Hari Nagar
Opp. Agarwal Dharamshala, Jammu. Ph. 0191-2545000
Email: brahmankashir@gmail.com website: brahmanmmkashir.org
“Sharda” Temple & Script- The Heritage of Kashmiri Pandits
Dr. B.N. Handoo
Kashmir history is one of the oldest histories of India
having references from the pro and past history
records, excavations, religious books, rare
manuscripts, literatures, etc. India owes their origin to
Vedic Sanskrit which gradually passed through the
Prakritic stages. According to the Vedic Puranas like
Nilmata-Puran of 6th and 8th century during the protohistorical period Kashmir was a big lake Satisar in
which a demon Jali-Bhavar (Jal-Broor) was residing
who was causing a great devastations to the
inhabitants residing on the lake banks. According to
historical records a saint Kashyap Reshi was
meditating in the vicinity of present Sharda temple
situated at a height of about 3400 metres above from
the sea level located near Keron across the river
Krishanganga on the bank of Medhumati (presently in
Pakistan). On the request of inhabitants the Rashi
prayed to goddess Sharika mata, who accepted the
prayers resulted Lord Vishnu Struck the charka on the
present Uri mountain. The gap was created in
between this mountain the Satisar lakes water drains
out and goddess Sharika mata killed the demon Jalibror by burying him under the present Hariparvat.
The literally meaning of the word Sharda is
the name of Hindu goddess Mata Saraswati, the
goddess of knowledge (vidya) and learning.
According to the writings of Kalhan the Sharda
temple stands on a hexagonal (six-angled) stone slab
covering 19ft x 13ft spring through which the
water is gushing out from one side of this slab. The
temple stands on a hexagonal five feet thick platform
which stands over two pillars of 24ft. This square
platform have 11ft high walls, the main door of the
temple faces towards the west having 5ft wide stair
case with 4ft Varandah. These four outlets are on the
four sides, ie. east, west, south and north leading on
the varandha. The hexa-angular Sharda temple
represents the six fold eternal qualities of goddess
Mata Saraswati as omniscience, consciousness,
freedom, completeness, omnipotent and boundless.
There was a spacious library hall attached with the
temple containing valuable and rarest Sharda
manuscripts, Puranas and other Hindu religious
books. It is stated that this spring was covered with
stone tiles and the water used gush out from one of
its sides. The spring had a mysterious and secret
origin. Below the spring there lies a strip of land
through which ooze the gas at different places. The
devotees were using this gas for cooking purposes. It
is said that the gas volcanic in origin.
The Sharda script is one of the oldest
scripts derived from Brahmi script which originated
from Kashmir by the Kashmiri Pandits. The Sharda
alphabets are still engraved outside the temple walls.
It has been observed that most of the devnagri
alphabets were the same as is in Sharda with the
little modifications which were during the period of
Maharja Ashoka in 263BC as it was his official
script and language. This official script and language
continued up to maharaja Lataditya, the king of
Kashmir. This script was used even today by the
Kashmir pundits in their religious cum customrituals (some of the rare Sharda manuscripts, books
are still available in the Handoo library). The oldest
Sharda book/manuscript is Kallap the Sanskrit
grammer giving a complete description of eight parts
of speech (Ashta-diayi) which is on the pattern of
Panini grammar used in 400 BC. Even the latest
school of Hindu philosophy called Kashmiri
Shavism of the 9th century considered the science of
humanism, compassion has been originated from the
Sharda script. According to Kalhan pandit’s book
Rajatarangni he had recorded that there was a Sharda
Peeth (Sharda University) where the knowledge of
Sanskrit and Sharda literatures besides the Vedic
ax-Muller remarked that Sharda Peeth was
renounced institute in India where people from far
and nearby were studying in six systems of Indian
philosophy. With the completion of their the Peeth
was conferring the degree certificate of honour to the
successful students once a year on a fixed
convocation day which was distinctly fixed, the day
is known as Guru-Trrey/Gourri-Teritiya which
according to Kashmiri pundits calendar falls on
Magh Shukli Phaksha Tritya (ie. month of
January/February). The sanctity of this day is that it
is the birthday of Mata Saraswati the goddess of
literature and knowledge.
To honour this Sharda Peeth the Kashmiri
pundits when their children are attaining the
schooling age, the sacred thread ceremony
(Yegnopavit) is performed in the Vedic rituals where
child recites the first alphabetical lesson of the
Sharda script under the guidance of their religious
teacher (kullu guru) as a omen of incitation.
According to the writings of Kalhan, he has
given a reference of King lalitiditya of 8th century
that the disciples of the Gaund king had come all the
way from Bengal to Kashmir to pay a visit to this
Sharda Mandir. Alberuni, the traveler of the 10 th
century after travelling the interior Kashmir valley
reached to Bolair mountain which is mid-way
between Ladakh and Gilgit, mentioned Sharda
Teerath is equally famous like Somnath temple of
Gujrat, the Vishnu Temple of Thaneshwar and the
Sun temple of Mattan. Many pilgrims came here for
receiving the blessings of goddess Sharda.
According to Juna Raja the historian, had referred
that Kashmir Sultan Zain-ul-Abdin visited this
temple in 1422 AD.
The Vaishnava Saint Swami Ramanuja
travelled all the way from Srirangam to this temple,
refer to Bodhana’s vritti on Brahma Sutras preserved
here, before commentary on the Brahma Sutras, the
Sri Bhasya. The image at Shringeri Sharadamba
temple made of sandalwood is supposed to have
been taken by the SDhankaracharya from here.
This Sharda Peeth was so much honoured
and filled with rarest literatures. During the Muslim
rulers this university was closed but the books,
manuscripts and other things were preserved by the
Hindu rulers of India and Kashmir, lastly the army
of Maharaja Hari Singh, the King of J&K State
guarded the Sharda Peeth and its sanctity The writer
Jonaraja (1389-1459 AD) writes that Zain-ul-Abdin
‘badsha’ the king of Kashmir also visited this shrine
in 1422 AD to pay the respects to the goddess
Sharada Mata. In 16th century Abdul Faze writes that
knowledge
were
imparted.
Dr.
M
on the banks of river on every Ashtami of bright
moon it begins to shake and produces the most extra
ordinary effects. According to Kalhana river the
Kashmiri Brahmins identified as Saraswati Brahmins
(ref: Temples of Kashmir by C.L. Gadoo, p.9). A
Kashmiri scholar Bilhana (1063-1089 AD) a
southern Pandit from Karnataka was appointed as
chief Pandit of this university (Sharda Peeth also.
The Sharda temple represents the spiritual and
religious soul of Kashmir, the goddess Sharda, also
known by the name of Vaksavitri is the creator of all
kinds of speech, intellect, spiritual wisdom, exalted
thoughts, and is holy pilgrimage for all especially for
kashmiri hindus who usually pilgrimage to Sharda
temple via Tikar Kupwara. The route was like this,
after Tikar the next step were Batergham and Hurri
village. From Hurri village there were two routes
via Trehgamor via Liderwan. The Liderwan village
was used as a base camp for the yatris/devotees
(pilgrims) who used to come from other
parts/districts of Kashmir. From Liderwan the
journey would comprise the halting sports of
Zurhoma, Marhoam (Marhama), Budean Patha,
Ganesh Pael, Pothka gali. The route was followed by
the Meerwali Naar, Dunaar, village of Jumgund and
Kachbawan followed by the village of Dudhniya.
The Dudhniyal village had a narrow suspension foot
bridge connecting with path way along the river
bank of Krishnganga to Bella Khan, followed by
Sheikh Bella and Mundkar village. Dusuth was the
next halting village which was followed by Khowaja
seeri and Kharigham village. Kharigham was the
nearest village on the route to holist Sharda temple.
The Ganesh Peal was also called Bandook Pael by
the native Gujjars. The name Ganesh Pael of the area
owed its name to the striking resemblance of a huge
boulder to Lord Ganesh’s appearance. As revealed
by late Thusso family that densly foliaged upland
area in close proximity of Sharda temple was known
by the name of Ganesh Ghatti, it had a cave having a
narrow opening which would allow the entry of a
single person at a time. Inside the cave one of its
side resembled the image of Lord Ganesha on which
water drops would trickle down from a naturally
formed Sheshnag like configuration located above.
The elevated area in close proximity of the Sharda
mata temple was also known by the name of
Amarnath. It was in the form of an enormous
boulder resembling the Shivalinga, over which water
from the adjoining mountain would flow down in a
hawan kund patterned natural enclosure. Before
entry into the temple there was aplain area over
which stood a huge Bren three on the left side of the
tree had a stone murti of Lord Ganesh at its base
which was smeared with sindoor.
Kamla Shanker: A KP Woman Ahead of Her Times
Born in 1923, in the illustrious Zadoo Family of
Kashmir to Smt. Sonamali and Pandit Vasu Dev
Zadoo, Smt. Kamla Shanker was the first ‘womangraduate’ of the Kashmiri Pandit community and one
of the pioneers in the filed of women’s education in
Jammu & Kashmir, She graduated from the famous
Sri Pratap College, Srinagar in 1940. This college
formerly founded as the Hindu College in 1905 was
the outcome of the crusading efforts of the Irish
Missionary Dr. Annie Besant.
A student of private ‘Pathshala run by
Women’s Welfare Trust in Gundi Ahlmar, Srinagar
runby Pandit Damodar and later a private school in
Anantnag, Kashmir, Smt. Kamla Shanker passed the
Matriculation examination of the Punjab University
in 1936. In those old days when women education in
Jammu & Kashmir was a taboo, Smt. Kamla
Shanker’s father Pandit Vasu Dev Zadoo himself a
figure enlightenment and the first Kashmir Pandit to
visit the USA and study in engineering sciences at
the workd’s famous Harvard University in 1927, got
his daughter admitted to the college after she had
completed her school education. Following her
grauduation in 1940, Smt. Kamla Shanker joined the
Former Christian College of Punjab University,
Lahore for M.A. literature in English. She is the first
native Kashmiri woman to pass with M.A. degree
fr4om the Punjab University, Lahore in 1942.
Subsequently, she did her B.E.d. from the Prince of
Wales College, Jammu. Much later when her two
S.N. Pandita, New Delhi
children were grown up and left the nest, she once
again engaged herself with academic pursuits
andadded one more Master’s Degree to the list of her
educational attainments in 1947, this time in History
from Pune University. Smt. Kamla Shanker is also
an alumnus of the Institute of Linguistics,
Hyderabad, Widely travelled trhough 4 continentsAsia, Africa, Europe and America with journeys
spreading over 40 years. Smt. Kamla Shanker taught
English literature at the famous Loyola School,
Pune.
A pioneer in the filed of women’s education
in Jammu & Kashmir State Smt. Kamla Shanker was
a living symbol of that iconic effort that brought
Kashmiri Pandit women from the confines of four
walls of their homes, stepped in social
discrimination, ignorance, poverty and superstitions.
Kamla Shanker was a brave and daring
patriot also. During the 1947 tribal invasion on
Kashmir by Pakistan, she joined the WSomen’s
Militia in Kashmir and took arms for self defense.
She thus became the first Kashmiri Pandit women to
take up arms for the defense of her native land.
In recognition of her pioneering attainments
as one of the most highly accomplished, educated
and empowered woman of her generation, Smt.
Kamla shanker was conferred with Dr. Annie
Beswant Award 2011. The iconic pioneer passed
away in 2012 leaving being a remarkable legacy to
inspire our young generation.
REMEMBRANCE
The Executive Committee of the Brahman Maha Mandal in its meeting held on 26 th January 2014 paid
floral tributes to all the members who have served the mandal in different capaicities from time to time
and are not now with us. A two minutes silence was also observed in their favour. The work of the
following members was highlighted, and the efforts taken by them in keeping the mandal activities
alive during the period of the turmoil. We wish that their soul rest in peace
1. Lt. Sh. Major Radha Krishen Raina
2. Lt. Sh. Nandan Ji Kaloo
3. Lt. Sh. Som Nath Ji Zadoo (Suman)
4. Lt. Sh. Narayan Joo Sidha
5. Lt. Sh. Bansi Lal Handoo
6. Lt. Dr. Bal, Krishen Raina
BRAHMAN MAHA MANDAL WISHES A HAPPY
AND PROSPEROUS SHIV RATRI TO ALL KASHMIRI
PANDIT COMMUNITY
Life Time Patrons
The Executive Committee of Brahman Maha Mandal welcomes the following Life Time Patrons: 1. Sh. Prof. R.K. Ganjoo, H.No. 361, Sainki Colony Jammu,
2. Dr. R.L. Handoo, 105-B, Sector-7, Trikuta Nagar, Jammu,
3. Sh.Bushan Lal Handoo, 57, sector-8, Trikuta Nagar, Jammu,
4. Sh. Uppender Handoo, 8-A, Karan Nagar, Jammu,
5. Sh. Shiban Kishen Ganzu, H.No. 2, lane No. 4, Bhawani Nagar, Gole Pole, Talab TIllu, Jammu,
6. Sh.Ravi Raina, H.No. 1731, Jain Nagar, Kashmiri Colony, Opp. Sector-22, Rohini, New Delhi,
7. Sh.Ajit Wangnoo, H.No. 99, lane No. 4, Shakti Nagar, Jammu
Life Members
The Executive Committee of Brahman Maha Mandal welcomes the following Life Time Members: 1. Smt. Jyoti Handoo, H.No. 97/3-2, Street-B, Lane No.6, Rajender Nagar, Dehradun, Uttarakhand.
2. Dr. Ashok Kumar Chandra, H.No. P2-A, sector-7, Trikuta Nagar, Jammu.
3. Sh. T.K. Kampassi, H.No. 105, sector-4, Trikuta Nagar, Jammu
4. Sh. Basant Kumar Chakoo, H.No. 81, sector-4, Trikuta Nagar, Jammu
5. Sh. Rattan Lal Ganjoo, Vikas Nagar, sector-4, H.No. 140-B, Jammu
6. Sh. V.K. Zadoo, H.NO. 295, sector-1, Channi Himmat, Jammu
7. Sh.Bushan Lal Zadoo, H.No. 2010, Lane No.1, Priyadarshani Nagar, Tallab Tillu, Jammu
8. Sh. Shiban Krishen Kalla, H.No. 35, Lane No.2, Block-B, Roop Nagar, Jammu
9. Sh. M.G. Chandra,Ext. Trikuta Nagar, Jammu
10. Sh. Omkar Nath Shastri, A/P H.No.1, Ext. sector-3, Trikuta Nagar, Jammu
11. Sh. Jawahar Lal Raina, H.No. 148/4, Trikuta Nagar, Jammu
12. Dr. Jia Lal Handoo, H.No. 160, sector-15-A, Chandigarh (U.T.)
13. Dr. I.K. Wangnoo, H.No. 94, Lane No.4, (Down side), Greater Kailash, Jammu
14. Sh. Bushan Lal Handoo, H.No. 102P, sector-5, Trikuta Nagar, Jammu
15. Sh. Mohan Lal Handoo, H.No. C-112, Pocket 7, Kandriya Vihar, sector-82, Noida
16. Sh. Ashwani Kumar Chandra, H.No. 50, New Mohinder Nagar, Indira Theatre, Jammu
17. Sh Autar Krishen Ganzu, H.No. 76-A, Lane No.3, Vikas lane, Talab Tillu, Jammu
18. Dr. O.N. Pandita, H.No. 303-C, Rode-de- Chapri, New Plot, Jammu
19. Sh.G.N. Zutshi, Flat No. C-1, Channi Apartments Chani Himmat, sector-7, Ext. Jammu
20. Sh. Hira Lal Chandra, H.No. 31-B.C. Road, Rehari, Jammu
21. Sh. J.L. Kampassi, H.No. 510, Upper Laxmi Nagar, Sarwal, Jammu
22. Sh. R. L. Kampassi, H.No. 44, Priyadarshani, lanes, Patta Ploura, Jammu
23. Sh. Veer Ji Raian, Dhobiwan, Tangmarg, Distt. Baramulla
The Executive Committee of Brahman Maha Mandal welcomes the following Members ( three years)
1. Dr. Kishore Kampassi,H.No. 151-P, sector-1, Ext. Mandir Lane, Trikuta Nagar,Jammu
2. Sh. Ramesh Handoo, H.No. 61, sector-1/B, East Ext. Trikuta Nagar, Jammu
3. Dr. A.K. Kharu, H.No. 394, sector-3, Gangyal,Jammu
4. Sh.Arun Raina, Chhanni Himmat (93/2) Jammu
5. Sh.J.L. Kharu, H.No. 225, Upper Laxmi Nagar, Sarwal, Jammu
MATRIMONIAL
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APPEAL
applications,
presently
working
as
computer
operator
central
institute
Gandhi
The Brahman Maha Mandal appeals all Biradariwith
to be
the training
members
of the(CTI)
Mandal
Nagar, Jammu & Kashmir Police Wing. Salary five figures Contact :- Smt. Durga Zutshi Mob:in
the interest
of the community as a whole
4919121342,
9622204206