Hari Parbat

Hari Parbat, also known by its Persian name Koh-i-Maran, is a prominent hill that overlooks Srinagar, the largest city and capital of Jammu and Kashmir, India. This historic elevation is a significant site featuring a fortification, a revered Hindu temple, multiple mosques, and Sikh Gurdwaras, making it a focal point of religious and historical importance.

Hindu Temple and Mythology

The Hindu temple on Hari Parbat is particularly sacred to Kashmiri Pandits. According to local mythology, the area was once plagued by a powerful asura named Jalodbhava. In response to prayers, Goddess Parvati intervened, transforming into a bird and dropping a pebble onto the asura, which grew to crush him. Hari Parbat is venerated as this divine pebble, and Parvati is worshipped here in the form of Sharika. The Sharika temple is situated on the middle section of the hill's western slope, and the deity is iconographically represented with eighteen arms, seated within a Shri Chakra.

Historical Fortifications

The strategic importance of Hari Parbat led to its fortification over centuries. The initial defensive wall was constructed by the Mughal emperor Akbar in 1590, who envisioned it as part of a new capital for Srinagar. Although Akbar's grand project remained incomplete, the current fort structure was erected in 1808 under the rule of Atta Mohammed Khan, a governor of Kashmir during the Durrani Empire.

Other Religious Sites and Accessibility

Beyond the Hindu temple, Hari Parbat hosts several other significant religious structures. The southern side of the hill is home to Makhdoom Sahib, the shrine of the 16th-century Sufi saint Hamza Makhdoom. Below the fort lies a mosque dedicated to the 17th-century Qadiri Sufi saint Shah Badakhshi, which was built by the Mughal princess Jahanara Begum. For the Sikh community, Gurdwara Chatti Patshahi at Kathi Darwaza is believed to be a place where Guru Har Gobind stayed, while Gurdwara Guru Nanak Dev marks a spot where Guru Nanak engaged in discourse in the early 16th century. The fort itself, after being closed to the public for nearly two decades, was reopened in 2007. In recognition of India's 75th Independence Day in 2021, a 100-foot-tall Indian flag was unfurled atop the fort.