Wular Lake-Legends, Tales, Folklore Connected With It.

Wular Lake-Legends, Tales, Folklore Connected With It.

Upender Ambardar

Legends, fables, tales and oral narratives are deeply rooted in the traditional historical and cultural attitudes of Kashmir These have been passed on to posterity, mostly orally. These form a connecting link between the past and the present times. These may possess strands of divinity and supernaturalism, though these may not be evidenced by documentary and supporting evidence These usually have an element of mystery and often possess a legendary pull for the native people.

Many fables and legends are woven around the Wular lake, which is the largest freshwater lake not only in Kashmir, but throughout Asia, being 16 km long and 9 6 km wide. The governing deity of the lake is known as 'Wular Raaze' As per the folklore, the Wular lake is said to have countless springs and the main and principal spring is known as 'Neela Naag

Neela Naag is regarded as the deepest part of the lake: and is supposed to be in a state of furbulence always. No. boatman (hanji) even today dares to take his shikara across this part of the Wular lake. The folklore says that the presiding deity of the lake known as 'Wular Raaze' has his residence in the deep depths of the 'Neela Naag'. As per a legend, a saint in the bygone ages is said to have weaved a rope continuously for twelve years. He is said to have dropped this rope tied to a grinding stone in the Wular lake to ascertain it's depth, but the grinding stone is said to have failed to touch the bottom of the lake. Another legend connected with the lake says that centuries back, a sage endowed with tantric and supernatural powers, once decided to take 'Wular Raaze' into his custody. A boat was engaged for the purpose and an oil lamp was lighted by him in the boat amidst elaborate tantric rituals. He is said to have plunged into the 'Neela Naag' area of the Wular lake after instructing the boatman to ensure continuous burning of the said oil lamp. The ascetic is said to have successfully emerged out of the lake along with the 'Wular Raaze', who was then kept in confinement in the concealed part of the boat. The ascetic is believed to have dived again in the lake to capture the rest of the family members of the 'Wular Raaze'.

In the meantime, the Wular Raaze enticed the boatman with the promise of unlimited wealth if he extinguished the oil lamp. Tempted by the greed, the boatman obliged by extinguishing the lamp. As a fall out, the ascetic lost all his supernatural and tantric powers and consequently failed to emerge out of the lake

Taking advantage of it, the governing deity of the lake, Wular Raaze dived back to be at his permanent abode at the bottom of the 'Neela Naag' of the lake. Instead of the promised wealth, the boatman encountered a heap of charcoal floating on the surface of the lake. Feeling betrayed and cursing his luck, the boatman took a handful of the floating charcoal in his fire- pot (kangri) for burning purpose. He rowed the boat back to his home. Next morning to his utter surprise, the charcoal in his firepot had turned into gold.

Another folklore is that the 'Neela Naag' and the 'Guru Naag', locally known as 'Gor Naag' are believed to exist at the extreme ends of the Wular lake. As per the connected lore, the river Vitasta is said to be the divine spouse of the Wular Raaze.

Another legend connected with the lake states that hundreds of years back, a boat carrying a bridegroom got stuck up near the 'Neela Naag' part of the lake. The bridegroom pleaded and requested Wular Raaze to permit his shikara to sail through the lake and promised to offer his spouse after his return from the marriage. Afterwards the bridegroom failed to keep his promise. As expected, the shikaraa failed to move forward from the Naala Naag area Realising his mistake, the bridegroom offered his just- married spouse to the waters of the lake.

Shortly afterwards, to everybody's surprise, the offered bride emerged from the depths: of the lake dressed up in a celestial attire. Even today, no bridegroom can afford to annoy the Wular Raaze, while sailing across the lake. He, without fail, has to take off his turban and keep the accompanying sword aside while crossing the lake. The neighbourhood residents, especially Kashmiri Pandits, even now pay salutations and obeisance to Wular Raaze whenever they happen to pass by the lake.

Interestingly enough, a few Kashmiri Pandit families, the erstwhile residents of the nearby areas even now cite the name of Wular Raaze, as a divine witness during the ritualistic conversation of knock at the door rite of 'Thuk Thuk' on the evening of 'Duun Maavas' during the festival of Shivaratri, when all the good things of life are wished and symbolically granted by the house inmates.

According to one more legend, the present site of the Wular lake is believed to have been a flourishing city of affluence by the name of Sandimat Nagar in the ancient times. As per a belief, its inhabitants were so engrossed in the materialistic and worldly pursuits that virtuous values and deeds were given a goodbye. A sage advised the natives of Sandimat Nagar to mend their wayward ways, otherwise he predicted an enormous calamity for the city inhabitants. Excepting for al lone potter, none paid any heed to the same advice of the sage. The potter not only entertained him but also gave shelter to him in his home. Out of gratitude, the sage, by the dint of his supernatural powers, turned the potters' clay wheel into gold. He also asked the potter to abandon the city and cautioned him not to look back while moving out of the city.

Next day, as advised, the potter, along with his family, fleed the city to seek shelter in the nearby upland ridge.

Immediately afterwards, the entire city of Sandimat Nagar is said to have got engulfed by the enormous amounts of water. Notwithstanding the warning of the sage, the potter looked back, compelled by the incoming shrieks and cries of the city inmates. To his utter horror and surprise, his fabulous and marvellous city had turned into a vast lake, which is now known as the Wular lake. As the potter had failed to honour the promise not to look behind half of the gold-turned potters' wheels is said to have reverted to clay part. The ridge, where the potter is believed to have taken shelter, is even now known as Watlab Sangar.

Legends, tales and fables continue to be an integral part of the rich oral history. These are proud relics of our past, though the degree of believability in these may vary. These need to be preserved and protected so that these do not fade away into oblivion and obscurity.

(The writer lives in Gole Gujral, Jammu).

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Courtesy:- Upender Ambardar and 2012 April Koshur Samachar