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Devouts still visit Himal-Nagrai, recall famous love saga

The spring is revered by the local inhabitants, mostly constituting of Muslims, even though the folklore associated with the spring is a part of Hindu mythology.

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In the park, an inscription on a stone immortalizes the folklore
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About 50 km away from the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, a spring emerges beneath a wise century-old Chinar tree in Shopian. The spring is revered by the local inhabitants, mostly constituting of Muslims, even though the folklore associated with the spring is a part of Hindu mythology. Known as the spring of Nagrai, a Naga prince, the site in Southern Kashmir is maintained by State department of Floriculture and also by the state department of Art, culture and languages.

Nagrai, a well known figure in Kashmir's folklore was in love with Himal, who was a local human princess and the two got married. The local dervish, accompanied by many devouts, while paying tribute to the mythological figures calls it a part of Kashmir's rich history and traditions. Nagrai, according to the folklore, was a Naga or a snake prince who took human form to live among humans. Remembered as one of the most famous love folk-tales of Kashmir, Himal and Nagrai end up like Romeo and Juliet until Hindu god Shiva and his wife Parvati intervene to help the two regain their love.

Historian Muzaffar Khan says that the tale of Himal and Nagrai enjoys a distinct status in state's oral traditions.Before the Aryan intervention, Nagas, according to Khan, were earlier inhabitants of the valley along with Pisachs. Another spring attributed as Himal's is also located a kilometer away in the Balipora neighbourhood. In the park, an inscription on a stone immortalizes the folklore - which regularly features in many Kashmiri plays and in Sufi poetry - of the spring dwellers.

For the longer version of this report, click here

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