Kashmir Temples to see in and around Srinagar

Kashmir is the land of Rishi Kashyap, a land that has given us Kashmir Shaivism. This is where Acharya Abhinavagupta once lived. It was once full of Kashmir temples and more than temples, the devotees who prayed and lived close to the divine.

It has been through turbulent times and that have impacted the temples. Their devotees driven away, they laid in abandonment. With the peace slowly making its way back in the valley, the tourists are back, and hopefully the Kashmiris will be back too.

Pilgrims never left the valley, they continued to visit it yatras like Amarnath Yatra. In my opinion, this is a thread that kept Kashmir bound to India like no other.

Must See Kashmir Temples In & Around Srinagar

I had the opportunity to visit Srinagar in June 2024, and I promptly used this to visit as many temples as I can in and around Srinagar. So, here is what I saw in 2-3 days and you can also easily see them. They are not too far and can be easily visited along with your other sightseeing activity.

Shankaracharya Temple on Gopadri Hill in Srinagar

Located on the top of the hill now called Shankaracharya, overlooking the Shikara laden Dal Lake is the famous Shankaracharya Temple. The real name of the temple is Jyeshtheshwara Temple. It is dedicated to Shiva as Jyeshtheshwara. The hill was originally called Gopadri Hill.

As per 12^th CE author Kalhana, the temple dates to at least 4^th BCE.

It is believed that the hill and the temple were visited by Adi Shankaracharya.

Shankaracharya Visit

The story goes that Shankaracharya ji had his first rendezvous with the Devi on this hill. He was tired and sitting under a tree. A Kashmiri woman passed by and he asked her to give him water and food. She then challenged him to do anything without Shakti. This is when Shankaracharya realised that even Shiva can not do anything without Shakti, so how can he.

He then went on to write the extraordinary poem Saundarya Lahari in honor of the Devi along with many other Stotras. After returning from Kashmir, he setup his four ashramas in four corners of India. First of these was Sharada Peetha at Sringeri on the banks of Tunga River in present day Karnataka. Remember Sharada Devi is called Kashmirpurvasini or the one who dwells in Kashmir.

Jyeshtha Devi Temple at base of Gopadri Hill

Located very close to the Raj Bhavan and army area, this ancient temple in wood is beautiful. A tiny temple, surrounded by water on all sides that is viewed from a mandapa that is…