Srinagar, Jan 20: Rainawari Kashmiri Pandit Action Committee (RKPAC) on Saturday celebrated forthcoming Praan Pratishtha of Shree Ram Lalla at Shree Ram Janam Bhoomi, Ayodhya that is scheduled to on 22nd January. The celebration was organised at Mata Ragenya Asthapan, Ksheer Bhawani, Bhawani Nagar, Janipur. RKPAC led the Kashmiri Pandit community in the country wide celebrations.
On this occasion RKPAC installed a replica of Shree Ram Janam Bhoomi Temple at the Ksheer Bhawani, Jammu and hoisted the Sri Ram Pataka. Ramayana and Ram Charit Manas have been written in many regional languages in India and are integral part of the folk lore. Kashmir also has Kashmiri version of Ramayana known as Ram Avatar Charita written by Prakash Ram Kuryagami that is part of the Sanatan place consciousness and aesthetics of Kashmiri Pandit society.
In order to present traditional Ram Avatar Charita recited by Kashmiri Pandits before the entire nation and highlight the importance Ramayana in the Kashmiri Pandit religious traditions its video was released. This video of Ram Avatar Charita has been conceived and sung by an eminent lyricist, artist and singer, Kanwal Peshin.
While speaking on the occasion, Kanwal Peshin said, “this video of Kashmiri version of Ramayana known as Rama Avatar Charita written by Prakash Ram Kuryagami is an offering at the feet of Shree Ram and numerous Kar Sewaks who laid their lives for the cause. Our grandmothers and mothers used to recite Ram Avatar Charita on various festivities and celebrations and kept it alive amid genocidal attrition through oral tradition. This video will preserve our rich tradition of Kashmiri Ram Katha.”
Sanjay Raina, an eminent religious scholar remembering the days of struggle for the construction of Shree Ram Janam Bhoomi Temple at Ayodhya said,” Kashmiri Pandits were in the forefront of the Ram Janam Bhoomi movement even during exile and contributed to uphold the Sanskrit civilizational moorings of Bharat. Nearly 200 Kashmiri Pandits Kar Sewaks left for Ayodhya to express solidarity with the Ram Bhakts across the country converging at Shree Ram Janam Bhoomi. This included nearly 70 women from the community. Time has come to document the contribution of unknown people who made Ram Janam Bhoomi Temple a reality. We pray to Bhagwan Ram that soon our exile from our homeland will end and we are established in Kashmir.”
B.L.Jalali, President, RKPAC, while speaking on the occasion said, “Exile has shaped our conviction and commitment to preserve our Sanatan tradition at all costs and RKPAC is committed to restore and preserve Kashmiri Pandit temples and its properties. Construction of Shree Ram Janam Bhoomi Temple at Ayodhya has re energised us to redouble our efforts to reclaim our temples in Kashmir. On this occasion we request the administration to give us the possession of the ancient Shiva Linga of the Shiv Ji Temple (Bodh Mandir), Kralyar, Rainawari that has been lying in police custody for years now and respect our religious sentiments.”
Rakesh Hangloo , General Secretary,RKPAC while speaking on the occasion said, “We need to internalise the Ramayana in all spheres of life and operationalize it in our conduct. RKPAC is committed to uphold the Sanatan place consciousness for harmonious society and preserve our religious heritage at all costs”.
Proceedings of the celebration were ably conducted by Virender Dembi. The event was attended by eminent people from the civil society.
