Cultural heritage of Kashmir is as multi-dimensional as the variegated backdrop of its physical exuberance which has nursed and inspired it all along. Its sanctity and evergreen stature can be conveniently inferred from the chaste shimmering snow, with its virgin demeanor from top to toe, adorning the towering peaks of its mountainous periphery. Mellowing kisses of the sun endow these summits with a rosy blush lending perennial health to our warbling brooks, roaring waterfalls and sedate and solemn lakes. To crown all, this very nectarine glow has most meaningfully groomed our mental attitude to glean unity amidst seeming diversity.

Culture is always in a flux and ferment. It is a non-stop mental journey with no mile-posts to cool its heels upon. It is, precisely speaking, the cumulative expression of the values enshrined in the heart-beats of the denizens of this Happy Valley. The irresistible stamp of Buddhist compassion, Hindu tolerance and Muslim Zest for life is most unmistakably discernible from the attainments of Kashmiri mind and intellect.

In the foregoing web pages, we have made a humble attempt to portray this very salient trait of our culture.

 - by Professor K. N. Dhar
Text reproduced from Glimpses of Kashmiri Culture

Featured Collections

Kashmiri Pandit Artistes Prominent Kashmiri Pandit artistes.  >>>		Kashmiri Pandit Playwrights Prominent Kashmiri Pandit playwrights.  >>>
Assorted Collection of Paintings Paintings by Gokal Dembi, Bansi Parimoo, G R Santosh, Ashutosh Sapru, Sant Ji Sultan, Bushan Kaul, Rajinder Tiku, P N Kachru, Geeta Das, Maheshwar Nath Dhar, and others.  >>>		Lal Ded In Kashmir, some people consider her a poet, some consider her a holywoman and some consider her a sufi, a yogi, or a devotee of Shiva. Some even consider her an avtar.   >>>
Faces of Glory Prominent Kashmiri Pandit Personalities of yester-years.  >>>		Cuisine of Kashmir A Cookbook of All Popular Kashmiri Dishes along with a Guide to Healthy Eating.  >>>
Folk Tales from Kashmir NINE hundred years ago a remarkable collection of stories called Kathasaritsagara, the ''Ocean of Stories", was produced in Kashmir. Somadeva, its author, is said to have included in this tome many stories which he had heard from others and which, in fact, had their origin in folk-literature.  >>>		Religious Practices of Kashmiris  The religious practices of Hindus of Kashmir (popularly known as Kashmiri Pandits) revolve around the worship of Shiva and Shakti. All other deities (gods and goddesses) of the traditional Hindu pantheon are worshipped as various manifestations of Shiva and Shakti. Shiva is the Supreme Lord of the universe and Shakti, the Universal Mother Goddess, is his eternal companion.  >>>

Table of Contents

History of Kashmir	Folktales
Geography of Kashmir	Articles from Koshur Samachar
Major Ethnic Groups	Five Millennia Old Culture & Literature of Kashmir
Ancient Monuments of Kashmir	Paintings by Kashmiri Pandit Artists
Glimpses of Kashmiri Culture	Artistes
Kashmir - The Crown of India	Poets
Kashmir - Poetry of Nature	Playwrights
Language	Leaders
On Kashmiri Names	Personalities/Scholars
Proverbs	Kashmiri Kangri
Culinary Art of Kashmir	Kashmiri Samovar
Costume	Haarun Gindun
Walnut In Pandit Heritage – Rituals and Recipes	Deyjehour
Wild Animals	Wild Flowers
The Valley of Kashmir - Races and Tribes (Main)	The Valley of Kashmir - Archaeology
The Bhand Pather of Kashmir	Kashmiri Pandits and Music
Music	A typical Kashmiri Pandit Marriage
Video	Vyeth Television