An Introduction to Spoken Kashmiri

Visiting Tulmul

Go to Real Networks Website

Download FREE Real Player

READ ME FIRST

THE SOUNDS OF KASHMIRI

Visiting Tulmul

A conversation on visiting the Hindu temple Tulmul located near Gandarbal about twenty miles from Srinagar. It is also called khi:rbhava:ni:.

Mohan: Greetings, Ashok. Where have you been all these days?

Ashok: Greetings, Mohan. I have been sight-seeing.

Mohan: Well, what (places) did you see?

Ashok: Just three or four places. I saw Hazratbal, Dal Lake, Gulmarg, and Pahalgam. I am (now) thinking of visiting Tulmul.

Mohan: Yes, you (must) do that.

Ashok: Yes, that's what I came to talk to you about. Tell me, how far is Tulmul from here?

Mohan: Tulmul is about fifteen miles away, but it is not difficult to get there. From Amira Kadal both buses and tongas (horse carriages) go there. Many people go there in a large houseboat, but that takes a lot of time.

Ashok: Can one return the same day, or does one stay there overnight?

Mohan: Yes, many people go there in the morning and return in the evening. But they also have provisions there for staying overnight.

Ashok: Tell me, what is Tulmul famous for?

Idol

Mohan: I will tell you. Tulmul is a famous shrine of the Hindus. There is an idol of the goddess bhava:ni: there, in the middle of a spring.

Ashok: Do people worship this idol?

Mohan: Yes, the Hindus worship this idol. The pilgrims pour milk into the spring, drop sugar candies () into it, and light a .

Ashok: Do only Kashmiri Pandits go to Tulmul?

Mohan: Oh no, Hindus and Sikhs come there from every part of India. Some Muslims also go to Tulmul.

Ashok: Do the pilgrims take a bath before entering (the shrine)?

Mohan: Yes, near the gate everybody has to take a bath. After taking a bath, pilgrims change their clothes and enter.

Ashok: Well, is there any arrangement for food there?

Mohan: Yes, there are many (sweetmeat sellers) shops. They sell , , rice pudding, and cooked rice and vegetables. They also sell (various) ingredients for the worship (puja).

Ashok: On the way to Tulmul, is there any other place worth seeing?

Mohan: Yes, there are two or three very nice places.

Ashok: Which are they?

Mohan: The big mosque is very near here. After that, there are two places, Vicharnag and Gandarbal.

Ashok: What is there at Vicharnag and Gandarbal?

Mohan: Vicharnag is a place of pilgrimage for the Hindus, and there is a spring there. People eat their food at Gandarbal on the banks of the River Sindh. It is a beautiful place and you must stop there by the bridge.

Ashok: All right, I shall meet you after returning from Tulmul. Goodbye.

Mohan: Goodbye.

Click Here for Complete Conversation

Notes

Vocabulary

<<< Previous Chapter

Table of Contents

Next Chapter >>>