| Jyeshteshvari Temple | |
|---|---|
 Zeashta Devi Shrine | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Hinduism |
| District | Srinagar |
| Deity | Goddess Jyeshteshwari |
| Location | |
| Location | Srinagar |
| State | Jammu and Kashmir |
| Country | India |
  Location in Jammu and Kashmir | |
| Coordinates | 34°4′41.6388″N74°52′21.5328″E / 34.078233000°N 74.872648000°E /34.078233000; 74.872648000 |
| Architecture | |
| Established | 1968 (Present structure) |
| Inscriptions | Śāradā script |
| Elevation | 1,700 m (5,577 ft)[1] |
| Website | |
| www | |
Zeashta Devi Shrine (Kashmiri pronunciation:[zeːʃʈʰaːdiːʋiːmandar]) orZeathyar (Kashmiri pronunciation:[ziːʈʰʲjəːr]) is a Hindu shrine located inSrinagar[2] in the Indianunion territory ofJammu and Kashmir.[3] Primarily dedicated to a form of Shakti, Jyeshta/Zeashta Devi (not to be confused withJyeshta), this temple has been held in high reverence by Kashmiri Pandits since ancient times.
According to British archaeologistM.A. Stein, a shrine dedicated to Shiva was constructed on Gopadri hill by King Gopaditya, known as theJyeshtarudra Temple. While referring to Kalhana's Rajatarangini and archaeological evidences, he explains that one mile from the east foot of the hill lay the related tirtha of Jyeshteshvara, which in Kashmiri is now known asZeathyar. It was in this vicinity where KingJalauka might have founded the city ofSrinagari, though there is no strong archaeological evidence to prove it. He further mentions, "This Tirtha which undoubtedly derives its name fromJyeṣṭeśvara, lies in a glen of the hill-side, a short distance from the east shore of the Gagri Bal portion of theDal."[4] Fragments of ancient Lingas in the vicinity of the shrine point towards the temple originally being a Shiva shrine, gradually transforming into a prime Shakti peeth.
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