Dear Editor,
Through the columns of your esteemed daily, I would like to request the Lieutenant Governor J&K, Manoj Sinha, who is also the Chairman of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, Jammu & Kashmir for setting-up Meditation Hall/Rooms/Cave (Dhayan Bhawan) at/near Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Bhavan/Shrine. Since ancient Indian times, the meditation/Dhayan has been integral part of any pilgrimage. In fact, the very purpose of pilgrimage is to attune with the vibrations of holy place through meditation, physical presence for seeking divine blessings & inner peace. Meditation is a technique through which devotees can attune themselves with presence of God & Divine Mother, The Scriptures tells us that, ‘Whatever outward rituals you perform, the ultimate ‘Pilgrimage’ must be within and ultimate religious ritual must be the offering of your life-force on the altar of inner God-communion.
Other major pilgrimages in India: ‘Kedarnath’ meditation caves came to limelight when Prime Minister Narendra Modi meditated in the cave. Pilgrims intend to stay & meditate in ‘Kedarnath Caves’ can book online with nominal charges. Most of the other major pilgrimage destinations in India like, ‘Shri Shirdi Saibaba’ temple in Maharashtra also have sound proof & air-conditioned meditation centre which can accommodate 125 devotees at a time. ‘Shri Tirupati Balaji’ temple in south India also have specified meditation hall for devotees.
International Airports: Today, not only pilgrimage, but all major internationals airports have dedicated space for meditation & yoga. International airports like Heathrow Airport London, San Francisco International Airport, Chicago International Airport, Hong Kong International Airport and Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi also have specified room for meditation & prayer.
Proposal: The silent hall/rooms/caves (preferably sound proof) anywhere around Bhawan/Shrine area with maximum sitting capacity is suggested, so that devotees who are willing to meditate after ‘Holy Darshan’ can sit there in silence for meditation. It is not a coincidence that many holy pilgrimage in India are situated at mountain peaks & great heights, it is because of holy vibrations & calmness the saints always preferred mountains for meditation & ‘sadhna’. It is for this very reason the meditation space should be at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi bhavan/shrine area only. Meditation hall/room/cave may have idol/picture of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi. The meditation hall/rooms can also be given the shape & colour of a holy cave/shrine from inside similar to original cave. Further, meditation place should have sufficient ventilation and temperature be maintained as per summers & winters with air-conditioning/heating system. Separate Hall/room/caves for Gents & Ladies is suggested and strict silence to be maintained inside.
Meditation hall/rooms/cave should have carpet and ‘sitting cushions’ used for meditation in sitting comfortable posture. Such cushions are also being used by many Yoga meditation centers across India. I am sure, ‘Meditation Hall/Rooms/Caves’ at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine will be a great tourist attraction for pilgrims across the world and also a great facility for coming generations who will always be thankful to the LG for this great contribution. I would pray, may Mata Vaishno Devi bless all for this divine cause. I would feel blessed, if I can be of any assistance for this divine initiative.
Adv Narinder Sharma.
