Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 4: Save Sharda Committee called on Sringeri Shankracharya Bharathi Tirathi Ji Maharaj in Sringeri Mutt today. He was presented a copy of Vision Document of proposed Sharda temple and centre coming up at LoC Teetwal in Kashmir.
Committee also honoured Shankracharya Ji with Sharda Sammaan and presented him a brief on Sharda Mission. In a blessing meeting that lasted one hour, Save Sharda Committee Kashmir presented a saga of struggle stressing the need for reopening of Sharda corridor on the lines of Kartarpur Pilgrimage. Shilas (pious stones) got from Sharda Peeth in PoK through the civil society across LoC were also presented to Shankracharya Ji, out of which he presented one Shila to Ravinder Pandita for installation at proposed temple at Teetwal.
The Mutt has extended full support and approved the plans of the proposed temple. Shankracharya also agreed to present main Murti (idol) of Sharda Devi to be installed there. Live videos on the progress of construction of boundary wall at the temple site in Teetwal was also shown to Shankracharya Ji.
Further, live video from Sharda Peeth in PoK was also beamed live from there and shown to the Shankracharya. The video was beamed live by our civil society members across LoC from Sharda Peeth itself. Save Sharda Committee was represented by Ravinder Pandita, Mohan K. Mongha, Rakesh Koul (Core Sharda team), Manju Nath, Prakash Jios, Seshu Durbaka, Ravinder Kankatte, Satheesh and others.
“Cross LoC heritage & religious tourism must begin. We should have cross LoC pilgrimages on both sides of LoC including Sharda Peeth Yatra that was last held in 1948. Swami Nand Lal Ji, a Kashmiri saint was the last person to perform meditation at Sharda Peeth and the Yatra had flourished during Maharaja Ranbir Singh’s period’ said Ravinder Pandita. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar assured the delegation to take up the matter with Government and liked the idea and struggle of Save Sharda Committee. The Committee stressed the need to bring in an amendment to current LoC permit rules to add pilgrimages too, apart from meeting relatives. The Supreme Court order of PoK ( AJK) as well as DG Archaeology order on maintaining sanctity of Peeth as well as Archaeology &Tourism Department circular taking over the minorities Shrines was also presented to H.H. Shankracharya Ji.
Save Sharda Committee has been struggling for reopening of Sharda Peeth for more than two decades now and has taken up the matter with both governments of India and Pakistan.
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