Chander M. Bhat
Maharaja Ranbir Singh (1830-1885) the second ruler of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh state, the third son of Maharaja Gulab Singh (1792-1857) who established the state of J&K, Ladakh, in 1846, was known for his efficient administration, progressive thoughts besides being oriented towards the cultivation of Religious, Cultural and Social values in the state. The general condition of Hindus a tortured and harassed section of people of Jammu & Kashmir at the hands of past cruel rulers was demoralized and in need of some savior to provide them succor and hope, Maharaj Gulab Singh came in and provided that opening.
He started Jammu and Kashmir Dharmarth Trust to look after the management and maintenance of places of worship, cultural heritage of Hindus. Maharaja Ranbir Singh (1830-1885) the successor of Maharaja Gulab Singh infused new hope and aspiration in renovating old places of worship and building new temples in the valley. Small Shivalaya were established in the heart of Srinagar City for the local Hindus and the present Shivalaya also came up at that time in Srinagar near Chotta Bazar, Karan Nagar. Dharmarth Trust helped to establish new temples as also to renovate the old and dilapidated ones. “Shivalaya” (presently within the campus of Ramakrishna Mission, Chotta Bazar, Karan Nagar, Srinagar) is believed to be one among these. The temple catered the religious needs of the people living in the heart of Srinagar city.
During the post independence uncertainty and upheaval a section of the Hindus under the leadership of Pandit Gopi Krishanji founded an organization called Samaj Sudhar Samiti with its base at Shivalaya. This temple was chosen as it had become popular as a social and cultural centre of Hindus. Saint Mata Mathura Devi lived in the temple campus preaching the tenets of our Sanatan Dharma to the people of the locality. A monk from Kerala, Swami Narayanananda by name looked after the Shivalaya temple and got it renovated with the assistance of the devotees.
It was the first of four Indo-Pakistan wars fought between the two newly independent nations; Pakistan precipitated the war a few weeks after independence by launching tribal militia from Waziristan, in an effort to capture Kashmir. A large numbers of Hindus in the border district of Baramulla were killed and maximum of them were forced to migrate from their homes and hearths seeking refuge in Srinagar and other parts of India. Pandit Gopi Krishanji along with his comrades organized them in Samaj Sudhar Samiti with Headquarter at Shivalaya and did a lot of hard work to provide relief and rehabilitation to the displaced populace.
Sri Amar Nath Kak, Mata Mathura Devi, Sri Niganjan Nath Dangroo and others also contributed by opening a centre for destitute ladies to learn handicrafts and other crafts to restart their lives.
Mathura Devi, born to Pandit Hari Koul in 1879 AD at Verinag, was a mystic saint. Right from her childhood, she was interested in spirituality and the search for truth. As per tradition, she was married at an early age to one Shri Bhagwan Dass Kandroo of Anantnag. Bhagwan Dass died at a young age just after three years of his marriage. Mathura Devi, therefore, returned to her parent’s house, where she started her Sadhana in right earnest. In her spiritual journey, her Guru, Pandit Shridhar Joo Sharabi of Srinagar, guided her. Soon people from all over came to see her and seek her blessings. She left Verinag in early 1940s and sent on a pilgrimage to Shadipur, Sumbal, from where she went to Shivalaya, Chota Bazar, Srinagar and continued her spiritual journey. She stayed in Shivalaya for about 13 years and thereafter moved to Durga Nag and stayed there till 1967 AD. After the request of his brother she moved back to Verinag. It was at Verinag that she attained Nirvana in 1985 AD.
In order to provide a suitable platform to patronage different forms of fine-arts an organization known as “Kala Kendra” was also started for the youth to provide them an opportunity to show-cause their creative work especially in the field of drama and music. The Kendra became an important cultural body in attracting to the state, prominent artisans, painters and lovers of fine arts. Theatre personalities like Prithviraj Raj Kapoor too visited Shivalaya.
In short Shivalaya became a hub of Kashmir Hindu Religion, Cultural and Social gatherings. Pandit Amarnath Kak a leading lawyer of the time engaged himself in his efforts to rouse the political and cultural consciousness of the people.
A large number of devotees from Karan Nagar, Habba Kadal and other places of Srinagar City used to visit Shivalaya in large numbers during morning hours till 1990.
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