Hinduism has a long history in the region of Kashmir, with the earliest known reference to the area as a sacred place in Hindu texts dating back to the Mahabharata and the Rajatarangini, a 12th century chronicle of the kings of Kashmir. The ancient Hindu texts such as the Nilmat Purana and the Rajatarangini refer to the Valley of Kashmir as "Paradise", "Kashmira" and "Kashyap-Mir" after the sage Kashyap who is believed to have drained a lake to create the present-day valley. The ancient Hindu texts also mention the presence of many sacred temples and shrines in the region, and the area is still considered to be a major pilgrimage site for Hindus today.
The origins of Hinduism in the region are not entirely clear, but it is likely that it was brought to the area by traders, travelers, and scholars who came from the Indian subcontinent. The area was also under the rule of Hindu kings for much of its history, which likely helped to establish and spread the religion throughout the region.
However, in recent times due to the rise of militancy in the Valley of Kashmir, many Hindu Pandits have migrated from the region and the present Hindu population is very minimal in the valley.
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