Prevalence and Continuity of Vaishnavism in Early Medieval Kashmir

Abstract

In order to comprehend the cultural basis of any community, it is pertinent to understand its religious beliefs. Religion has always been an integral component of the people in Kashmir valley. The advent of civilization in Kashmir and its growth paved the way for different religions to flourish there. During Pre-historic times people in Kashmir used to practice animism which is best reflected in the worship of snakes by Nagas who were the original inhabitants of the land. Thereafter Buddhism arrived in the region during the missionary life of Ashoka and it helped in the propagation of this faith. Kashmir has always been called as the land of Shaivism as the Shastras or Darshanic Philosophy associated with Lord Shiva emerged and developed here. In the paper we will discuss the growth of Vaishnavism in Kashmir through different phases in the history of the region.