INVC NEWS
New Delhi
Save Sharda Committee Kashmir (Regd.) called on Sri Sri Bharathi Tirtha and Sri Sri Vidhushehakra of Shankracharya Mutt in Shringeri and pressed for re-opening of Sharda pilgrimage in PoK. A delegation of the Committee led by Ravinder Pandita, founder of Save Sharda Committee Kashmir (Regd.) called on the head of the mutt and apprised him of the recent developments in this regard.
The Shankaracharya of this highest peeth in the country assured the delegation of all possible help in this regard. On this occasion soil and flowers of Sharda Peeth in PoK was presented to the mutt and the recent photographs showing photo of Sharda Devi installed there. A copy of judgement on preservation of Sharda Peeth received from Supreme court of POK (AJK) was also given to him. It is for the first time since partition that flowers have been laid in the temple and a photo of Sharda Devi is installed inside the temple, through the civil society of PoK. Save Sharda commitee , which is a pressure group for re-opening of Sharda Pilgrimage sees the accession and the present demand with the union of India as a CBM between the two neighbouring countries, that has not taken place since the partition. In a Press release issued by Ravinder Pandita, Head / founder member of the committee, the need of setting up of Sharda University and facilitating J&K Hindus for annual pilgrimage on the lines of Sikhs undertaking Nankana Sahib yatra in Lahore, Pakistan every year was again highlighted. “ This demand is pending since along for which many Kashmiri Pandit organisations have been fighting, prominent amongst them being APMCC” , Ravinder Pandita said.
Earlier the Committee members that included Surinder Mirza, Tribhawan Tikoo, Dilip Kachroo, Opender Bali, Rakesh Kaul amongst others also met Shankracharya of Gokarna mutt Sri Raghaveswara Bharti and presented the soil & flowers to him for displaying the same in the mutt. The Committee has urged the Central Government to immediately take up the issue with Govt. Of Pakistan , so that kashmiris on both sides of LoC are allowed to undertake pilgrimages to boost heritage and religious tourism. The committee is pressing for amendment in the LoC permit to include annual pilgrimage in addition to the present mechanism of travel for J&K residents across LoC. Both heads of respective mutts are writing to PM and External Affairs Minister for looking into the issue and praised Save Sharda Committee for their efforts. The Committee also called on Padamshree Dr. Gauri Shankar CEO of the mutt and briefed him about the Bangalore event and other developments in the re-opening of Sharda Peeth in PoK.
