Thread by @devdebunks

Kashmir is much more than Dal lake, Pahalgam, Gulmarg or Sonmarg. At the feet of the mighty Buteshar (Bhuteshwar) mountains lies one of the most important archaeological sites in the country, the Naranag temple.

The temple is mentioned in Nilmat Puran as the pilgrimage site of Sodaratirtha. The temple complex was built in three groups by various Kings. Kalhana notes in Rajatarangni that Ashoka’s son Jaluka around 220 BCE, built the Shaivite temples, Bhootishwara, Jyestaruda and Muthas—

in the Wangath valley around the holy spring of Naranag. The major contribution to the development of temples came from the Legendary King of Karkota Dynasty- Lalitaditya Muktapida (713-735 CE). He donated large sums of money for construction and upkeep of the temples.

The last known addition to the temple was done by the King Avantivarman (855-883 CE) built stone pedestals with silver conduits for bathing the sacred idols and Shivlings. Narang Temple was destructed by Sangramraja and a local baron Hayavadana. Later Islamic rulers like—

Sikander Shah Miri or Sikander Butshikan of Miri Dynasty who is known as the destroyer of Kashmir played a huge role in changing the course of history from Narang to Martand. Kashmir today for the tourist is a mini honeymoon trip wrapped with Shikara and Cable Car. I was advised—

Not to travel to Narang as this is a very remote village in foothills of the Pir Panjal mountain range along the banks of the Wangath river and a dominant village population. Mode of Transport was not easy either but being said “Where there's a will, there's a way” How could—

we not care about such an important evidence of our history? What’s keeping our generation to segregate themselves from visiting or learning about this vast glory which our ancestors once built? Remember, No authority can help us until we start caring to reclaim what’s ours.