Uttarakhand Governor joins drive to rebuild Shankaracharya ‘samadhi’

Chaitra Krushnapaksha 10, Kaliyug Varsha 5116

Uttarakhand Governor Dr Aziz Qureshi made a symbolic offering by placing soil in the sacred kalash brought here by the Yatra from Kaladi to Kedarnath for the restoration of the Samadhi of Adi Shankaracharya in Kedarnath which was damaged in the natural disaster June 2013. The yatra reached the Raj Bhavan on Thursday.

In his address, Dr Qureshi said that this occasion was "historic and inspiring us to ensure that serving suffering humanity was the real religion of a human being. Shankaracharya wanted to end the cruelty that was being rendered in the name of religion. He had given us the message that we must protect suffering and underprivileged people." The idea of collecting soil from all places that Shankaracharya had visited was important. It meant that the entire country was together in expressing its devotion to the ideas of the great Guru. Farmers, labourers, youth and people of all religions were part of this devotion. Despite the disaster, people had not given up and had faced the challenges with the support of the Government, NGOs, defence forces and para military forces. The Char Dham yatra in the State would now be more organised, safe and convenient.

Dr Qureshi expressed gratitude towards the organizers (faith Foundation, Delhi) of the yatra titled Mission Kaladi to Kedar. This would evoke good values among people and bring them together. This yatra would also convey the message to pilgrims all over the world that Uttarakhand was safe to visit. The Governor said he would also be present at the samadhi sthal on June 16 when the restoration work will begin. President of the yatra Col Ashok Kini, Secretary Raghav Chaudhary, coordinator Sanjiv Gaur and Shantanu Gaur (Uttarakhand incharge of Shankaracharya Peethh Govardhan Mathh, Puri), Vinod Aggarwal from Rishikesh, KK Aggarwal from Haridwar were all present. They presented the Governor with a picture of the four Vedas.

Source : Daily Pioneer