Volume 10, Number 3
Sacred Relics of Hangpath: A Study of the Shivalinga and Yoni-Peetha in Sounder, Dachhan
Authors
Anoop Singh
Abstract
This study examines the sacred relics at Hangpath, located near Sounder village in the Dachhan, Kishtwar region of Jammu and Kashmir. Focusing on a historically significant Shivalinga and YoniPeetha discovered by local inhabitants, the research offers new insights into the region’s Shaivite traditions. Using on-field observations, oral histories, and comparative iconographic analysis, this research examines the stylistic features and ritual symbolism of the Yoni-Peetha and its associated Shivalingas. Despite their potential archaeological and cultural value, these relics have remained unexplored by formal agencies and are preserved solely by the devotion of the local community. This article focuses on the Hangpath findings within the broader trajectory of Shaivism in the Greater Himalayas, arguing that they may be part of a larger, undiscovered temple complex. Furthermore, this paper discusses the ritual significance of the site, its sociocultural role in Sounder village, and the need for systematic archaeological intervention. Ultimately, this study calls for an urgent reevaluation of heritage preservation strategies in Jammu and Kashmir to protect these sacred relics for future generations.
Keywords
Hangpath, Shivalingas, Yoni-Peetha, Shaivism, Jhalarni, Copper coins, Shaivism.