Kashmir to Kashi: Exploring Shaivism

Did you know that, unlike any other region in India, the most anticipated and celebrated Hindu festival in my native Kashmir isn’t Diwali, Ganesh Chaturthi, or Durga Puja, but Shivaratri? Welcome to the land where Shiva is paramount in every aspect of Hindu culture, from festivals to philosophy.

In this post, I will highlight the Shaivite philosophy of Kashmir, my connection to this tradition, and my recent visit to Kashi (Banaras, Varanasi), revered as Shiva’s spiritual abode.

Herath

Shivaratri, known in Kashmir as Herath, includes uniquely Kashmiri rituals and celebrates the metaphorical union of Shiva and Parvati, which is at the heart of Kashmiri Shaivism.

Kashmiri Shaivism

Kashmiri Shaivism, a distinct tradition, views Shiva not as a personified deity but as universal consciousness—the energy that connects and underlies everything in the universe; and Parvati (Shakti), the worldly manifestation of that energy.

To understand this concept, consider the different lighting fixtures in our homes, all powered by the same source: electricity. The fixtures are individual entities, while electricity symbolizes Shiva—the universal energy that permeates everything. The light shining from each fixture represents Shakti, a creative expression of that universal energy.

Practice

Kashmiri Shaivism guides us away from our natural tendency of perceiving the self and the divine as separate to realizing oneness, the understanding that they are fundamentally the same. This belief is not to be held passively but actively realized through meditation, introspection, and tantric practices.

Consistent with the philosophical inseparability of Shiva and Shakti, Kashmiri Shaivism is not about renunciation but about embracing life and discovering the divine in everyday experiences.

Kashmiri Shaivism’s emphasis on experiential learning without dogma makes practicing it demanding. Its focus on study and self-reflection has limited its accessibility primarily to scholars, mystics, and deeply involved practitioners.

My Experience

I first became aware of Kashmiri Shaivism in my early teens while staying at my aunt’s house. Her husband, an economics professor, meditated for what seemed like an endless time.

He passionately spoke about his Shaivism guide, Lakshman Joo, who, he claimed, also guided then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. He also talked about his friend, Gopi Krishna, who awakened Kundalini (dormant metaphysical energy at the base of the spine) and extensively lectured about it in the West.

My uncle’s stories seemed far-fetched at the time. However, years later, I learned he was factual. I wish I had the maturity to absorb something from him back then.

Connecting with Spiritual Roots

Better late than never, though! Now, with a somewhat more open mind and retirement on the horizon, I intend to explore spiritual literature, starting, not surprisingly, with Kashmiri Shaivism.

In the meantime, I thought, why not prime myself by visiting some notable Shiv-Shakti sites? These trips are like visiting any tourist destination but with potential spiritual insight and satisfaction as a bonus.

My most recent trip was to Kashi this past week.

Kashi Visit

Kashi has long been on my mind. When I was a child, my parents mentioned they would visit Kashi in old age. They never did. Well, my wife and I visited instead and fulfilled that aspiration.

We rode the Vande Bharat Express from Delhi to Varanasi; it was nostalgic for my wife when, en route, the train halted at Kanpur, where she was born and raised.

Our first stop in Varanasi was its star attraction: the extensively redeveloped Kashi Vishwanath Temple. The temple, having withstood multiple destructions, is a symbol of resilience, and the recent redevelopment befittingly honors this strength.

For me, visiting renowned temples, which typically entails considerable time and effort, effortlessly triggers significant reflection, as was the case here. This tendency aligns with Kashmiri Shaivism’s tenet that visiting temples is not about seeking favors from an external deity but rather about fostering introspection.

Amid the invigorating community experience at the temple and my introspective mindset, I wondered if exploring spiritual traditions earlier would have helped me navigate the more difficult challenges of my life with greater clarity and ease. Even so, there’s still some road ahead.

After the temple visit, we strolled through the imposing new corridor connecting the temple to the Ganges ghats. Later, we sampled local delicacies and visited other prominent temples and Banaras Hindu University.

The trip was as enjoyable as visiting any traditional tourist destination, if not more.

Looking Ahead

Next on my list are Mansarovar Lake and Mount Kailash, possibly next year. I look forward to sharing that experience.

Your Thoughts?

Spirituality is a personal journey shaped by our beliefs and experiences. I have shared mine. I am curious about your perspective. Do you find spiritual traditions intriguing, fanciful, or something you’ve never considered?

Om Namah Shivaya!

NOTES

Kashmiri Shaivism is similar to Advaita Vedanta in that both are based on non-dualistic (Advaita) philosophy. However, they differ significantly in their worldviews. Advaita Vedanta considers the world an illusion (Maya), with Brahman as the ultimate, formless reality. In contrast, Kashmiri Shaivism regards the world as real and divine—an active manifestation of Shiva’s dynamic energy, Shakti.

Kashmiri Shaivism, based on the premise of an ultimate reality, is incompatible with atheism. In contrast, some interpretations of Advaita Vedanta may appeal to atheistic perspectives.

• Shaivism: A philosophical tradition exploring consciousness through the lens of Shiva
• Kundalini: Metaphysical energy believed to lie dormant at the base of the spine
• Shiv-Shakti: Representing the dynamic masculine and feminine energies of universal consciousness
• Om Namah Shivaya: I bow to Shiva

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kashmir_Shaivism

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lakshman_Joo

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gopi_Krishna_(yogi)