Yatra ‘to Abhinav Gupt Cave’ in Budgam being planned by Delhi-based organization

DC Budgam says not aware of any such pilgrimage

A New Delhi-based organization is planning a new Yatra to Abhinav Gupt cave in Beerwah area of Budgam district, next month.

The Acharaya Abhinav Gupt Sheshadri Samroh Samiti, which is organizing the Abhinav Sandesh Yatra, for the first time, said the pilgrimage would start from New Delhi in the beginning of 2nd week of June and it would be open to participation of people from Jammu and Kashmir and outside.

“We will be organizing Pooja at Kheer Bawani in Ganderbal on June 10 and other temples before starting the yatra to the Abhinav Gupt Cave next day (June 11) for holding Pooja there too,” said Conveyer of the yatra, Ajay Bharti.

The Samiti, according to Bharti, was an amalgam of different organization having members from all over India and is headed by the founder of the Art of Living foundation Sri Sri Ravi Shanker.
“We will also be holding function at SKICC after yatra which will be attended by Sri Sri Ravi Shanker,” said Bharti. “The program is aimed at highlighting the relevance of Abhinav Gupt as an expert on varied subjects to the contemporary world.”

Coordinator of Samiti Dileep Mattoo said the aim of the yatra was to “bring into limelight the life and times” of Gupt, considered to be a scholar and Acharaya (Guru) of Shaivism and “redevelop links with the persons and communities that continue to believe their origins to be in Kashmir”.

On its official Face-book page, the Samiti has mentioned that the “Kalash (pot) containing holy soil from Kashmir after been taken to various sacred and religious places of the country would finally be taken to Bhairav cave in Beerwa on June, 11 after which a grand function would also be arranged there”.

The yatra, as per the details on the Facebook page, began from Kanchi Kamkotipeetham in South India on March, 31 after passing through various places of historical and religious significance in India was likely to culminate at the cave located on the foothills of Bayrum in Beerwa.

“The forgotten genius from Kashmir – we know (sic), is the greatest symbols of Kashmir identity as a knowledge centre. A philosopher and aesthetician, he (Gupt) was an excellent seeker, philosopher and exponent of Shaivism. The diversity of Indian thought is synthesized in his writings,” mentions the face book page. “In his long life he completed over 35 works, the largest and most famous of which is Tantrāloka, an encyclopaedic treatise on all the philosophical and practical aspects of Trika and Kaula (known today as Kashmir Shaivism).”

Mattoo said the yatra, which would mark the 1000th death anniversary of Gupt, has already passed through different states, was being held for the first time. “It’s purpose is to create awareness about the life and times of Abhinav Gupt and his contribution in the field of literature and philosophy,” said Mattoo.

The Samiti had on January, 4 this year kick-started “the year-long millennium celebration” of Acharaya Abhinav Gupt on its foundation day (Sankalap Divas).

Besides Delhi, the function was held at SSK Jammu, Ishwar Ashram Trust, Mohinder Nagar, Jammu, Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, Bangalore and Uttarakhand.

At Delhi the function was held near Mandi House which was attended by BJP MP and Chairperson NDMC, Meenakshi Lekhi, RSS Sangchalak for Delhi, Ahuja and Vice Chancellor Shri Lal Bahadur Sanskrit University, Delhi Dr Ramesh Pandey.

In Jammu the function was presided over by Justice (retd) G D Sharma while as the speakers included Prof K N Pandita, Swami Kumar Ji and Anand Swami Pran Nath Bhat Gareeb.

On the occasion Shiv Prasad Raina was announced the president of Acharya Abhinav Gupt celebration Committee J&K, Pardeep Koul as secretary and Maharaj Krishan Bhat as treasurer.

The foundation is planning five international seminars and 25 national seminars all over India during the “millennium celebrations” which will conclude on January 17 next year. The yatra is part of year long celebrations.

“The entire program will be held as per the laws and wherever necessary we will seek permission from the Government,” said Bharti.

Deputy Commissioner, Budgam Mir Altaf said he wasn’t aware about the yatra. “Nothing of that sort has been brought to our notice,” he said.