Kalhana , the author of the Rajtarangini states that Srinagar was founded by the Emperor Ashoka (3rd Century BC). The present city of Srinagar was founded by Pravarasena II and Hiuen Tsang who visited the capital in AD 631 found the city at the same site as it is today. Lalitaditya (AD 649-736) was the most illustrious ruler of the Hindu period, which ended in 1339. King Zain-ul-Abidin (1421-72) who was popularly known as Badshah was a great patron of Sanskrit.

Pahalgam is about 96 Kms. east of Srinagar and at an altitude of 2130 meters, turned into the popular holiday resort it is today, it was the preserve of nomadic shepherds.

The meadow of flowers "Gulmarg" is in the shape of a bowl, it is 3.5 Km in length and 1 Km wide. It comprises grassy slopes, with a small scattering of houses. The bowl is encircled by firclad hills, and in the distance are snow covered peaks.

Onward, past Kangan and Gund, the road runs through peaceful pastoral land, the snowclad Harmukh range, and after a steep rise is the entrance to the Meadows of Sonamarg. Sonamarg is also known as Gateway of Ladakh.

One of the holy trinity, Shiva is a living god. The most sacred and most ancient book of India, "The Rig Veda" evokes his presence in its hymns. Vedic Myths, ritual and even astronomy testify to his existence from the dawn of time. But Shiva, the destroyer, the mendicant, is indefinable. He is the great yogi, the guardian of the absolute. His actions are the teems of the myths in which his nature unfolds.