Goddess Sharika : Presiding Deity of Kashmir

Goddess Sharika : Presiding Deity of Kashmir 

Hari Parbat is situated at the periphery of Srinagar city is an ancient and on of the holiest place of Kashmir. It is the abode of Maha Shakti. The Divine mother here is known as Shri Sharika Devi . The Eighteen armed Goddess Sharika is regarded as the presiding deity (Ishta-Devi) of Srinagar city and Kashmiri Pandits .

The Goddess Sharika is represented by a Sayambhu or Natural Sri Yantra (Mahamaha Srichakra) also called “Maha Meru". The mystic Shri Chakra self-engraved on a vertical holy rock (shilia) is located at the middle of western face of Hari Parbat . It is perhaps due to Goddess Sharika who is worshiped in the form of a Shri Yantra that the capital city of Kashmir is said to have derived its name of Srinagar .

As per the “Visish Tadhvaita Doctrine” Shri is the Divine consort of the Lord and is said to play on intermediatory role between god and human soul. A legend from Sharika Mahatmaya records, in order to save the free the residents of Satidesh from the evil deeds of the demon. The mother Goddess Sharika took the form of bird (Harie in Kashmir) on the day of Ashad Shukla Paksh Navmi (Har-Navmi). It’s believed to have carried a celestial pebble in its beak and dropped it on the demon to crush it to death.A miracle happened and the celestial pebble is said to have assumed the shape and form of a hill rock giving it the name of Sharika Parbat or Hari Parbat.

Goddess Sharika (represented by the mystic Soyambhu-Shrichakra) made her permanent abode on the western face of the hill rock (Hari Parbat) on the vertical rock to assure the native people of her presence and protection.

Harnavami – Birth Day of JagatMata Sharika Bhagwati is celebrated at Chakreshwar Hari Parbat Shrine with night long singing of hymns and Bhajhans in the praise of Goddess.