SHIVA TEMPLE PURSHAYAR HABBA KADAL

Purshayar, a notable Mohalla in the Habba Kadal area of Srinagar, is part of a larger cluster of vibrant neighbourhoods that have a rich cultural and historical significance. Habba Kadal, known for being home to a large Kashmiri Pandit community, comprises various Mohallas like Chandpur, Kral Khud, Baba Pora, Sheshyar, Malayar, Drabyar, Shalla Kadal, Zaindar Mohalla, and Karafoli Mohalla, etc. all situated on both banks of the sacred river Vi tasta (Jhelum). Each Mohalla has its distinct identity and charm, contributing to the cultural mosaic of the area. Purshayar, in particular, was well known for its bustling atmosphere and its iconic shopkeepers, Muna Halwoe and Prasad Masala, who were famous for their delightful confections and spices. Muna Halwoe was revered for his traditional Kashmiri Na dur Monji, which attracted customers from all over, while Prasad Masala was the go to shop for premium spices, essential in local Kashmiri cuisine. These two shopkeepers became beloved figures in the community, adding to the vibrant market culture of Pursha yar, making it a lively hub for the residents. The area, with its deep rooted traditions and the harmonious coexistence of families, stood as a testament to the rich cultural heritage of Kashmiri Pandits. Just beyond the iconic Habba Kadal bridge, there is a narrow by lane located around 10 meters away from the well-known pinion joint of Habba Kadal. This by lane serves as a key route leading to several historic Mohallas, including Purshayar, Drabyar, and Dalhasanyar. As one enters this lane and moves ap proximately 20 meters ahead, they encounter a revered temple on the right side, perched on the serene banks of the Vitasta (Jhelum) River. This temple, known as the Purshayar Mandir, holds great spiritual significance in the area and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple, with its peaceful riverside setting, was not only a place of worship but also a cultural and communal hub for the Kashmiri Pandits residing in the vicinity. Devotees would visit the temple regularly to offer prayers and perform rituals dedicated to Lord Shiva, seeking blessings and solace in the tranquility of the temple grounds. The Purshayar Mandir, with its age old traditions and spiritual importance, stood as a symbol of faith, fostering a deep connection between the community and their religious heritage. The Rudra Shiva Lingam enshrined in the Purshayar Temple is a sacred relic of profound spiritual significance. Standing about two feet high and gleaming in its black hue, the Shiva Lingam is a divine symbol of Lord Shiva’s presence and power. Legend has it that around 600 years ago, an extraordinary event unfolded when the Vitasta River, revered as the lifeline of Kashmir, nearly dried up. The people were astonished to discover a spring bubbling forth on the riverbank, near what is now the Purshayar Temple. In a moment of divine revelation, this sacred Shiva Lingam emerged from the spring, believed to be a direct manifestation of Lord Shiva’s blessings. The sudden appearance of the Lingam, bathed by the holy waters of the spring, was seen as a miraculous event, drawing pilgrims and devotees from far and wide. Since then, the Rudra Shiva Lin gam has been venerated as a powerful symbol of Shiva’s cosmic energy and eternal presence. Worshippers, in deep reverence, offer their prayers to this ancient Lingam, believing it to be a source of spiritual strength and a gateway to divine grace. The temple, with the sacred Lingam at its heart, continues to be a focal point for religious ceremonies, radiating the timeless essence of devotion and faith in Lord Shiva. Above the sacred spring nestled in the deep bottom of the Vitasta River where the Rudra Shiva Lingam was discovered, a small temple was constructed. This modest temple, with its single hall, became the spiritual heart of the area, and the in  stallation of the Shiva Lingam transformed it into a revered site for Kashmiri Pandits. Devotees would customarily take a holy dip in the spot where the divine spring merged with the Vitasta before entering the temple to offer their prayers. Over time, the temple grew both in spiritual significance and physical pres ence. A larger structure was built adjacent to the temple. This building, consisting of 18 rooms, housed the Sanatan Dharma Girls High School, serving the community and providing education to young girls until 1990, when the tragic exodus of Kashmiri Pandits forced the school to close its doors. The tem ple, located strategically between the holy Vitasta on one side and the bustling Purshayar market on the other, had five shops under its ownership, which contributed to its upkeep. This temple was not only a place of worship but also a cultural and educational hub, playing a vital role in the life of the Kashmiri Pandit community until their displacement from the valley. As one steps through the main gate of the Purshayar Temple, they are immediately greeted by the presence of a sacred Shiva Lingam, unique in its form, as it stands without the traditional base (Pranali). This Lingam, revered by devotees, is believed to embody the fierce and protective aspect of Lord Shiva known as Bhairava. Bhairava, the guardian deity, is often associated with the annihilation of evil and the protection of sacred spaces. The absence of the Pranali is seen as symbolic of Bhairava’s un tamed, raw energy, signifying his role as the ultimate protector of dharma and the destroyer of obstacles. This Lingam holds a special place in the hearts of worshippers, who approach it with deep reverence, believing that through Bhairava’s grace, they can rid themselves of fear, negativity, and impurities. Devotees often offer prayers to this Lingam before proceeding to the main Rudra Shiva Lingam within the temple, seeking Bhairava’s blessings for protection and spiritual strength. This powerful deity is seen as the temple’s divine sentinel, safeguarding the sacred space and all who come to seek Lord Shiva’s blessings. JULY 2025 From 1990 to the end of 2006, the once vibrant Purshayar Temple, along with its adjoining building, fell into neglect and disrepair, with no one to care for it or maintain its sa cred grounds. However, at the beginning of 2007, a dedicated devotee named Pandit Babloo Ji Bhat, son of Pandit Gopi Nath Bhat, originally from the village of Wagam in Badgam, took it upon himself to revive the temple. Despite working in the Food and Supplies Department at Srinagar, Pandit Babloo Ji made time to visit the temple regularly, single handedly beginning its restoration. After undertaking the initial restoration of the Purshayar Temple, Pandit Babloo Ji Bhat, in his deep devo tion and dedication, made the temple his home. He humbly took residence in one of the rooms within the main hall of the temple, creating a simple lodging for himself amidst the sacred surroundings. This act of residing within the temple not only allowed him to remain constantly engaged in its upkeep and maintenance but also symbolized his unwavering commitment to safeguarding the sanctity of the holy site. By making the temple his abode, Pandit Babloo Ji infused the place with a con tenuous spiritual presence, ensuring that the temple would no longer fall into neglect. His selfless actions and deep reverence for the temple became an inspiration to others, and his presence in the temple breathed new life into its sacred atmosphere, transforming it into a living space of devotion, care, and preserva tion. Out of his own personal funds, he carried out minor repairs to the temple and adjoining building, which were on the verge of collapse. His unwaver ing devotion and selfless efforts breathed new life into the sacred space. Inspired by his actions, three brothers with their families, originally from Mangam in Baramulla, came to the temple in 2008 and took residence in the building that once housed the Sanatan Dharma Girls High School. In the years following his initial efforts to restore the Purshayar Temple, Pandit Babloo Ji Bhat’s dedication bore further fruit when, through his persistent efforts, the State Government agreed to construct an additional storey above the main hall of the temple. This new hall was consecrated and transformed into a sacred space known as Shiv Parivar, housing the divine idols of Lord Shiva, Mother Parvati, and Lord Ganesha. This development not only enhanced the spiritual ambiance of the temple but also created a more comprehensive space for devotees to offer their prayers to the entire divine family. For the past 18 years, Pandit Babloo Ji Bhat has humbly served as both the Pujari (priest) and caretaker of the temple, dedicating his life to performing daily rituals and maintaining the sacredness of the temple grounds. His continuous service has turned the temple into a center of devotion once again, attracting the local community and keeping alive the spiritual traditions of the Kashmiri Pandits in the area. His selfless work has ensured that the temple remains a beacon of faith, devotion, and cultural preservation, standing resilient in the heart of Kashmir.

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Courtesy:  CHANDER M. BHAT and  Spade A Spade-July 2025