Kashmir: The Rigveda, Mahabharata, Shankaracharya and Kashmir Shaivism are 5000 years old of the presence of Hindus in Kashmir. Mythological texts confirm this. Kashmir is not just a geography, but a lively symbol of the Vedic soul of India. Here the roots of Hindu culture are so deep that she survived even after hitting every storm of time. How long have Hindus have been in Kashmir? Let’s know

1. Kashmir in Rigveda: Vedic period (before 1500 BCE)
The oldest mention of Kashmir is found in the Vedas. Kashmir was also part of the ‘Sapta-Sindhu’ region described in the Rigveda. This was the period when the Arya civilization was at its peak, and Brahmins, sages and sages used to do penance in this Himalayan region. The name ‘Kashmir’ is originated from Kashyap Rishi. It is believed that he settled this area from water.

2. Kashmir in Mahabharata period (around 3100 BCE)
Kashmir has been mentioned as an important district in Mahabharata. Here also the presence of Kshatriyas, Brahmins and other Hindu castes. This period suggests that Kashmir was not an isolated area, but was part of Indian geopolitics and religion.

3. Emperor Ashoka and Mauryan Kaal
Ashoka spread Buddhism, but before that Kashmir was a stronghold of Vedic Sanatan culture. Buddhism also strengthened by the scholarship of the Brahmins here.

4. Shankaracharya and Sharda Peeth (8th century CE)
Adi Shankaracharya came to Kashmir and established Sharda Peeth. This bench became one of the four major students of India and Kashmir got the status of the capital of knowledge.

5. Kashmir Shaiv ​​Darshan (8th – 12th century)
This time was the golden period of Hindu philosopher Utkarsh in Kashmir. Acharyas like Abhinavagupta, Vasugupta, Kallat gave birth to ‘Kashmir Shaivism’ from here, which touched the consciousness ahead of Advaita.

6. Muslim invasion and resistance (after 14th century)
Even when Muslim invasions affected Kashmir, Kashmiri Pandits also made great sacrifices to protect religion and culture. Martand Sun Temple, Avanipora and other temples are still evidence of that splendor.

The presence of Hindus in Kashmir is not 100-200 years old, but it is more than 5000 years old. This region has been part of India’s eternal consciousness since the beginning, the taphoomi of the sages, the center of knowledge and the spiritual laboratory.