Tuesday, September 8, 2009
NAGDANDI VIVEKANANDA KENDRA ACHCHABAL KASHMIR
Today’s post is about NAGDANDI ASHRAM near Achabal village which we visited on 06.09.2009 . Before I come to the subject in specific, it is important to clarify that VIVEKANANDA KENDRA based at Kanya kumari and RAMA KRISHNA MISSION of Kolkatta are two distinct organization . In valley Rama Krishna Mission has its Ashram at Shivalaya Karan Nagar while VivekaNanda Kendra is located In dense forest Area of Nag Dandi just three killometres from Achabal Village in Anantnag district.Both the institutions are connected or one can call them to be sister Socio Religious Organizations .
Nagdandi Ashram is spread in about 100 Kanals of land housing about 7 structures with flower beds , Lush green Gardens , Fruit trees , Botanical plants , Samadhi of Swami Ashoka Nanda (a senior monk of the Kendra) and an imposing entrance with a Sarovar . Present Swami Ji who took over the charge of this Kendra in 1971 is from Bengal but speaks fluent Kashmiri and has remained stay put in the Ashram complex during Peak turmoil period when all his disciples decided to migrate out from the valley. In fact he has added three more structures to this Ashram during last ten years , built a temple type Samadhi of Swami AshokaNanda in white Marble and constructed a beautiful Sarowar ( with white swans ) near the main entrance . A massive double storey lecture hall is presently under construction at this Kendra . The Kendra has also been running a Free kitchen for the disciples and other guests who usually come on Sundays from all parts of the valley or Jammu or other parts of the country. Night staying arrangement is also available for any disciple or visitor should he decide to stay in the Ashram. It was a pleasure to see Swami Ji and his dedicated followers from Anantnag district serving round the clock meals and tea to Yatries at Tulamula complex for four complete days during the Zeyshta Ashtami festival ( Mela Kheer Bhawani ) in 2009. I am informed that this has been a practice with swami ji for the last 8 – 10 years .
The present complex used to be the hunting ground of Maharaja Hari Singh .The land for this Kendra was donated by Maharaja in 1933 as Swami VivekaNanda had Made a specific request to him seeking his help to set up a Kendra in Kashmir. Swami Vivekananda was highly touched by the beauty of the land and simplicity of its people during his visit to Kashmir. Swami Ji had visited Ananatnag and stayed at Kheer Bhawani temple as well. Present Swami Ji is a known figure not only in Anantnag district but also in the entire state . During discussion it also transpired that he has been hectic in developing the complex since last 30 years . Almost everybody in Anantnag Knows and respects him. He appears to be well read speaks fluent Hindi , Urdu , Bangla ( his mother tongue ) and surprisingly Chaste Kashmiri as spoken in Anantnag district. He talked about living alone in this jungle during peak militancy days as also the support from Dr Farooq Abdullah in particular for development and maintenance of the Kendra . Local muslims too hold him in high esteem .Swami ji is well read person and has complete knowledge of history of Kashmir starting from Nilmata Purana . To me he also confided that except SHARDA TEMPLE in POK , he has performed pilgrimage of all the holy places of kashmir including TARSAR , MARSAR, YAMSAR ,GANGBAL and KOUNSERNAAG . Swami Ji Fondly remembers Gh Rasool Santosh who would come to the Ashram with Mr Ogra a disciple and regular visitor. He thinks Kanishka to be more illustrious king of Kashmir than Lalitaditya . Touch any subject relating to Kashmir and have Swami Ji’s scholarly interpretation of the same. Well known to most of the state politicians , Intellectuals , People in general and poor people in particular for his philanthropic work, Swami Ji Commands enormous respect in entire Anantnag district. I am informed by many muslims of the area that Swami ji used his good offices to ensure employment for a large number of poor muslim boys of the area . The Reddi wallah selling fruits outside Achhabal garden told me that Swami ji is a Reshi ( Saint ) held in high esteem in entire Anantnag district."I will do only what Swami ji tells me to do " added a shopkeepr in Achhabal.
Suraa so Pehchaniyey laddey Deen ke Hait
Purza purza kat Marey , Kabahu Naa Chhade Khait
( Guru Gobind Singh Ji )
“I recognize him to be a true warrior ,
who fights for the underprivileged .
Even if his body gets cut to pieces ,
this warrior never leaves the battle field.”
( Translation from original Punjabi by a k Mota )
No comments:
Post a Comment