Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir): Overlooking the picturesque Srinagar city, at a height of 1100 feet above the Valley floor, stands a Shiva temple named after philosopher Shankaracharya, who had visited Kashmir some ten centuries ago.
Today, this Shiva temple on the Zabarwan Mountain Range, has become a major attraction for both tourists and Hindu pilgrims from around the world.
During Maha Shivratri or Herath, as Kashmiri Pandits prefer to call it, the temple witnesses a huge influx of devotees. It is believed that Lord Shiva, or Bholenath, never disappoints anyone and fulfils all wishes. However, the condition is that the prayer should be offered honestly from one's heart.
On this day, followers of Lord Shiva dedicate their whole night in prayers, fasting, and meditation, and wish for a world free from darkness and ignorance.
This time, however, day-long special prayers were observed for peace to prevail in the region.
Read: Devotees across the country throng temples to offer prayers on Maha Shivratri
"I came with my family. We did pooja (prayers) for everyone. Jammu and Kashmir is going through a tough time since the abrogation of its special status, we prayed for peace and harmony in the region, " Renuka Gupta, who hails from Jammu, told ETV Bharat.
Another devotee, who had come all the way from Nepal said, "Bholenath can heal anything. We have come here with a lot of faith and expectations. We have firm faith that all our prayers including peace in the world will be restored."
According to historians, the temple, which stands on a high octagonal plinth approached by a flight of steps, was first built by King Sandiman. It was later repaired around 1368 BC by King Gopaditya.
Read: Devotees worship 'broken' Shiva Linga at this temple in Rajasthan
Subsequently, Kashmir's Muslim King Zain Ul Abdin also repaired the temple's roof which had tumbled down due to an earthquake. Finally, in 1844, Sikh Governor Sheikh Ghulam Mohi ud Din renovated the temple's dome.
The world-famous Dal Lake has the Shankaracharya Temple to its east, while the Hariparbat fort, built in the Durrani era, stands to its west.
The temple faces Kooh e Maran, another name of Hariparbat, which houses a mosque, a Hindu Temple and a Gurdwara. Shiva followers call it "a unique example of communal harmony - when the Sun rises in the east and sets in the west, the rays of the same Sun are shared by all."
Interestingly, the temple has over 250 stairs and is guarded round-the-clock by paramilitary forces. Due to security reasons, cars, mobile phones, and cameras are not allowed in and around the temple premises.
Read: Thousands of devotees throng Lingaraj temple on Mahashivaratri
