Patrons of religion, Dogra rulers harnessed spiritualism in big way: Dr Karan Singh

Directs for digitization of rare religious scriptures collection in RSRI Library

STATE TIMES NEWS

JAMMU: Chairman Trustee of J and K Dharmarth Trust and former Member Parliament, Dr Karan Singh on Wednesday said that Dogra rulers were great patrons of religion and therefore harnessed spiritualism in a big way.
He was addressing media persons here at historical Shri Raghunathji Temple after paying obeisance and praying for the peace, prosperity and progress of the UT of J&K. Senior Advocate, Ajay Gandotra, President J&K Dharmarth Trust also accompanied the Chairman Trustee.
The Chairman Trustee also inaugurated pure Silver Jhaleri on Sphatik Shivling situated in the Natraj ji Temple, one of the temples in the vicinity of Shri Raghunath ji Temple Complex. He said that the centuries’ long Dogra rule, which was dominated by the temperament well marked with spiritualism has succeeded in maintaining Indianness among the people of the erstwhile State of J&K especially the Duggarland which stretches from Lakhanpur to higher reaches of Pir Panjal area and Chenab Valley.
The former MP said that his forefathers had constructed several temples across the erstwhile State of J&K while the Natraj ji temple was constructed by him. He said that this is the only Natraj Temple in North India. He said that he brought this rare Sphatik Shivling from Germany especially for Natraj Temple located inside the Raghunathji temple.
The Chairman Trustee said that the Dharmarth Trust has been entrusted to look after the temples and shrines in J&K for the last over 150 years and the organization has been working zealously to ensure that all the temples coming under its jurisdiction remain in best condition offering state of the art facilities to the devotees, who visit these religiously significant destinations from within and outside the UT besides from foreign lands to pay obeisance and seek blessings of Gods and Goddesses.
Later, Dr Karan Singh also took a round of temple premises and also met with devotees.
The Chairman Trustee also visited the Shri Ranbir Sanskrit Research Institute (RSRI) Library situated in the Raghunath ji Temple complex. He took stock of the functioning of the library and stressed on giving due care to the Upanishads and other rare and valuable scriptures conserved in the library.
Dr Karan Singh termed the books present in the library as treasure and said that this is the part of rich heritage of not only J&K but that of the country. He directed that all the Upanishads and other rare and valuable scriptures available in the library should be digitized and converted into e-library which will be very helpful for the scholars and booklovers visiting the place.