Kashmir is Culturally Part of india in 2 Milleniums some the Predate back to Both Islam and Christianity
Martand Sun Temple Central shrine
The Martand Sun Temple was built by the third ruler of the
Karkota Dynasty,
Lalitaditya Muktapida, in the 8th century CE.
[2][3] It is said to have been built during 725-756 CE.
[4] The foundation of the temple is said to have been around since 370-500 CE, with some attributing the construction of the temple to have begun with
Ranaditya.
[5][6]
Shankaracharya TempleThe
The
temple dates back to 200 BC,
[2] although the present structure probably dates back to the 9th century AD. It was visited by
Adi Shankara and has ever since been associated with him; this is how the temple got the name Shankaracharya. It is also regarded as sacred by
Buddhists. The
Shiv ling was placed inside during the Sikh period in nineteenth century and it became an active Hindu temple when regular services were conducted.
[3] Some historians report that the temple was actually a buddhist temple during buddhist era which was then changed into Hindu site of worship by Adi Shankaracharya. Persians and Jews call it Bagh-i- sulaiman or the Garden of King Solomon. Persian inscriptions are also found inside the temple.
Amarnath Temple
Amarnath cave (
Hindi: अमरनाथ गुफा) is a
Hindu shrine located in
Jammu and Kashmir, India. The cave is situated at an altitude of 3,888 m (12,756 ft),
[1] about 141 km (88 mi) from
Srinagar, the capital of Jammu and Kashmir and reached through
Pahalgam town. The shrine forms an important part of
Hinduism,
[2] and is considered to be one of the holiest shrines in Hinduism.
[3] The cave is surrounded by snowy mountains. The cave itself is covered with snow most of the year except for a short period of time in summer when it is open for pilgrims. Thousands of Hindu devotees make an annual pilgrimage to the Amarnath cave on challenging mountainous terrain to see an
ice stalagmite formed inside the cave.
There are references to the legendary king
Aryaraja (ascribed dates 300 BCE) who used to worship a lingam formed of ice in Kashmir.[ The book
Rajatarangini (Book VII v.183) refers to Amareshwara or Amarnath. It is believed that Queen Suryamathi in the 11th century AD gifted trishuls, banalingas and other sacred emblems to this temple.
[8]Rajavalipataka, begun by Prjayabhatta has detailed references to the pilgrimage to Amarnath Cave. Other than this, there are further references to this pilgrimage in many other ancient texts.