Vichar Nag Before 1987 (Before Millitancy)
Vichar Nagh is a hallowed place in Kashmir located in the direction of Northeast at a distance of nine kilometer from Capital city Srinagar. This place is in between Soura and Nowshera (Kashmir). The westside of Vichar Nagh is a famous Lake ‘‘Anchaar Lake’’ from its East side is ‘Awanta Bhawan’ which had a great importance during King Meghwahana, in Raj Tarangi Kalhana pandit has written that Wanta Bhawan was built by Amrita Prabha the Queen of Meghwahana.
Vichar Nagh is famous for its holy spring and including two Shiva temples. One of the temple is made of stones, chiseled and dressed stones are used in its constructions there are many springs around but bigger one is to be considered a sacred spring. The length of the spring is nearly 35 feet. Breadth thirty feet and its depth is forty feet. The big sized stones are used for construction of stairs from West and South side of the spring. The distance between one stair to another is nearly two to three feet. There are no stairs from east and north sides of the spring, but some idols of different Devi-Devtas are carved in the walls of the spring.
In the centre of the spring is a stone cylinder about three feet in height on which rests a Shivalingam. The water that gushes out from the north-eastern and north western corners fills the whole spring. From one corner of the spring comes out a small outlet for water which goes in another spring, where it takes the shape of a small canal which further joins with the outlet of ‘‘Mukhta Pukhari’’ spring, After covering long distance it flows in the Anchar lake.
The spring is full of different kinds of fish. The water of the spring remains cold in summer and lukewarm in winter. The colour in the spring changes from time to time and any sort of black colour is supposed to be inauspicious.
In the vicinity of Vichar Nagh are many springs some of which are very useful for those who are suffering from skin diseases. Vichar Nagh shrine was surrounded on all sides by willow trees. But only a few of them still exist. Kalhan Pandit has written that Vichar Nagh is dominated by Walnut trees and Brahamins are living a simple life. It is said that in olden days the new almanc (Panchaang) used to be discussed there before it came into circulation. The word ‘‘Vichar’’ means discussion.
It is said that when a learnt Pandit Shri Vasudev compiled his almanac came here to discuss it with other Pandits, some mistake where pointed out by some pandits in Vasudev’s almanc. But after discussions, it was found that those Pandits were wrong and Vasudeva was right.The famous Vichar Nagh ‘Mela’ is held on the Amavasya (Navreh Haavas) last day of the dark fortnight of Chet Mass which is also last day of the Bikrami Calender which falls on 6th March 2008 Sunday.
On this day before migration the yatries from different places would come here. Before entering the temple they take bath in the holy spring of Vichar Nagh. Thereafter they perform puja.Bhajans of Shivalingam known as ‘‘Vichar Saab’’ are recited.In old days when there was scarce transport in Kashmir pilgrims used this route and halted here before proceeding to Khir Bhawani Tullamulla and enroute Gangabal Yatra.
Before displacement of KP’s the whole temple management was run by a local committee known as Trust Asthapan Vichar Nagh. Now there is nobody to lookafter such a historic monument and holy place. What is disturbing is the present condition of the spring, temple and Dharamshalla in the absence of proper caretakers.
Vichar Nag After 1990 (After Millitancy in kashmir)
The spring and the places of worship around it may be there but these are in a dilapidated condition today. The rest of the area has fallen victim to the greed of the people, the lack of civic sense among them and the apathy of the government and municipal authorities here in Srinagar. The cool breeze one would feel while passing by the area is a thing of the past. Shoplines, mostly motor workshops have come up on either side of the Nowhshehra-Soura stretch of the road. Encroachments and legal constructions done in a haphazard fashion-all have ruined the place and eaten up its dictinctive characteristic.
Which ‘Vihar Nag’ are you talking about? The spring and the places of worship around it may be there but these are in a dilapidated condition today. The rest of the area has fallen victim to the greed of the people, the lack of civic sense among them and the apathy of the government and municipal authorities here in Srinagar. The cool breeze one would feel while passing by the area is a thing of the past. Shoplines, mostly motor workshops have come up on either side of the Nowhshehra-Soura stretch of the road. Encroachments and legal constructions done in a haphazard fashion-all have ruined the place and eaten up its dictinctive characteristic.