Thread by @VaradSharma

All roads lead to homeland. #Kashmir

Our centuries old faith. This is one of its many manifestations. Zyestha Devi. Zeethyar, Srinagar. #Kashmir

The famous Khanqah-e-Moula / Shah Hamadan Masjid. Oldest mosque in #Kashmir. Beautiful wooden architecture. Once upon a time, before the mosque, Goddess Kali's temple existed here.

The remnant of Goddess Kali's temple. A saffron-marked wall under lock. However, our faith fills the air. It is all-pervasive. #Kashmir

Goddess Kali's temple was destroyed by Sikander Butshikan in 14th century. He built Khanqah-e-Moula in remembrance of Mir Sayyid Ali Hamadani who had come from Hamadan, Persia (Iran) to spread Islam in #Kashmir. (Clicked this from locked gate)

Nonetheless, Khanqah-e-Moula is a remarkable shrine. #Kashmir

Remember the Rattan Rani Hospital at Nai Sarak, Srinagar established by Dr ON Thussu in memory of his first wife? It no longer exists. Only a decrepit sign board remains. #Kashmir

Hindu High School in Sheetal Nath, Srinagar. #Kashmir

Sheetal Nath Temple, Srinagar. A very historic place. It is from here, in 1967, Kashmiri Pandits spearheaded the agitation against abduction of young Pandit girl, Parmeshwari Handoo, by certain Islamists. #Kashmir

Shri Ram Temple at Barbarshah, Srinagar. #Kashmir

The inner sanctum of Shri Ram Temple, Barbarshah, Srinagar. #Kashmir

The semblance of peace. Today, polling day in Srinagar, looked like this. Shutdown. Vehicle movements were partly restricted. I got mixed responses to my question of exercising right to vote - certain in favour, some not keen. #Kashmir #LokSabhaElections2019

Interesting to see some people observing shutdown in Srinagar while some others casting votes. The city of contradictions. Rather entire #Kashmir is. #LokSabhaElections2019

And there were some who wanted to cast votes but they didn't. The reason being they will invite attention for taking part in democratic process while the dominant narrative is boycotting the poll. Not casting vote to be out of harm's way. #Kashmir #LokSabhaElections2019

Splendid Hazratbal shrine, commonly called Dargah. It has 'Moi-e-Muqqadas' which is believed to be Prophet Muhammad's hair strand. Khatam Shareef was being recited; so lyrical. #Kashmir

These pigeons greet you outside Dargah, Srinagar. #Kashmir

Friday protestors/stonepelters. Nallamar Road, Srinagar. #Kashmir

Insurgency has engendered several graveyards in #Kashmir. This is the most famed one called Shaheed Mazar (or militants' graveyard) near Eidgah in Srinagar. Those who chose the violent path of separatism/terrorism, and were killed, are buried here.

"Wath wath ayes gasav Khanyar, Arz karav dastgeer rast lo lo." Much revered Dastgeer Sahib, Khanyar, Srinagar. #Kashmir

Ancient Nagbal temple in Anantnag. Chief deity is Anant Bhagwan. The name 'Anantnag' has originated from this temple. #Kashmir

The holy spring at Nagbal temple. Shri Anantnag. #Kashmir

The shrine of Resh Moul Sahib in Anantnag. #Kashmir

Busy street in Anantnag. #Kashmir

The remnant of my ancestral home in Akura, Anantnag. Lost to mayhem and madness of #Kashmir's 'freedom struggle'. Betrayal by friends and neighbours. Life existed here till 1990. Now only rubble. The lifeless home.

This visit was for dad who built a modest house in Jammu as return seemed impossible, named it 'Lidder', couldn't visit his home in Akura, and passed away. Also for grandparents who died waiting for return; for granduncle who couldn't bear exodus and died in 1990 itself. #Kashmir

Mattan temple. This area is governed by the Sun. You can find golden fishes in this natural spring. #Kashmir

"Gulon mein rang bhare baad-e-nau-bahaar chale. Chale bhi aao ki gulshan ka karobaar chale." Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, Srinagar. #Kashmir

Imprint of one of the founders of #Kashmir's separatist movement - Tehreek - in Srinagar.

Sentiment. Freedom. Azadi. Militancy. Shahadat. Islamism. Jihad. #Kashmir

Jhelum and Zero Bridge. #Kashmir

While BJP is going gung-ho over its adventurism in #Kashmir, I found this poster in Srinagar where the party's lotus is colourless. The idea of 'Insaniyat, Kashmiriyat, Jamhooriyat’.

"Pyov lyeder bathis pyeth thanye aadam!" ~ Arjan Dev Majboor

[An early man emerges on the banks of Lidder. ~ Arjan Dev Majboor] #Lidder #Kashmir

A temple once. A ruin now. Mattan, Anantnag. #Kashmir

"Yi chhu soan watan nundbon watan, Lachchi vuhur chhu lachchi phiri zamut nov. Path gomut beyi bronth aamut nov, Navi aay pakun gasye pron watan. Yi chhu soan watan nundbon watan." ~ Dina Nath Nadim #Kashmir

This is our homeland, our beautiful homeland. Our million year old homeland has been born anew a million times. It has lagged behind and then again forged ahead. Our old homeland should march forward with new zeal. ~ Dina Nath Nadim #Kashmir

My visit to #Kashmir resulted in outpouring of some thoughts which have been troubling me for past three years or so. About last days of dad, our home in Akura, betrayal by friends and neighbours, and more. thewire.in/rights/kashmit…

Grandpa's cousin visited our house in #Kashmir recently & saw construction material in courtyard. Two neighbours told him that some have eyes on our land. Encroachment in the offing? Just so you know, I've twice refused to sell our land. Our farmland nearby is already encroached.

A serene autumn evening in Srinagar. #Kashmir

One must always remember one's road to home. #Kashmir

Chilly evening by the river Vitasta. Christmas 2020.

The embodiment of Shakti. Goddess Maharagya/Ragnya at Tulmulla, Ganderbal. Ever tranquil. Ever energetic. #Kashmir

Submerged ancient temple, dating back to 8th century, adjacent to Manasbal Lake. #Kashmir

Witnessing the history of Kashmir amidst the majestic ruins of Lalitaditya Muktapida's 8th century Sun Temple.

The testimony of magnificence and resilience. Over 1200 years old. Martand Sun Temple. #Kashmir

The remnants of my lost home. Akura, Anantnag, Kashmir.

A long dream of home. A dream of a glorious return. A dream of a revolution. #Kashmir