Publisher's Synopsis
Ancient texts repeatedly call it Kashmir Mandala, a name that encodes spatial and temporal locus in terms of a sacred geography. The symbolism that the term signifies encompasses both the geographical meaning of a zone or a land and a cosmic sphere or circle with the presiding deity occupying the central spot. The mandala also symboizes a sanctified cosmic or an ideal city according to Buddhist texts. The taxonomy of Kashmir Mandala has geo-political ramifications when one takes into consideration the extended sphere and influence of the Valley outside its territorial frontiers. Occupying a central place in the wonder world of Himalayan culture, Kashmir has contributed its serene vision and deep wisdom to the development of its unique traditions. Prompted by historical factors and geographical location, the people inhabiting this vast zone have been sharing with each other religious beliefs and practices, ritual behaviour and moral attitudes, artistic styles and architectural features, folklore and mythical legends through centuries of cross-regional exchanges and social interactions a process in which the scholastic and artistic proclivities and activities of Kashmiri Pandits have played a pervasive role. Ancient chroniclers have repeatedly referred to the intimate historical and cultural links that existed between Kashmir and Kangra, Chamba, Kullu and Spiti at one end and Taxila, Gandhara and Kabul Valley at the other.
