Swami Vivekananda's Visit to Kashmir
Brij Lal Trisal
(Swami Vivekananda lent his mortal frame on July 4, 1902, at Belur Math. Calcutta. The author writes about Swamiji's visits to Kashmir and the inspiration that he got after visiting Maa Ragnya's Temple at Tala Malla Editor]
It is well known that Swami Vivekananda inspired countrymen from slumber. Often we recall the soul stirring words and visits of Swami Vivekananda Maharaj in India and abroad. He visited America in September 1893, when he was hardly 30 years old He had to address the Parliament of Religions at Chicago and there he laid firm foundations for the Harmony of Religions. History bears witness to the enduring influence of Swamiji's inspiring address at the Parliament of Religions Just after four years. when Swami Vivekananda visited Srinagar. (Kashmir) twice, we can feel the tangible divine influence and grace that he would have brought along with him during his visits to Kashmir.
Kashmir stands as a unique place in India, which was sanctified by the holy presence of Swami Vivekananda in two consecutive years, i.e. during 1897 and 1898. His first visit started in 1897 when Swamiji reached Baramulla by a tonga from Murree (now in Pakistan). He arrived in Srinagar on September 10, 1897, by boat from Baramulla and stayed as a guest of Shri Rishibar Mukhopadhaya. the then Chief Justice of Kashmir Many noble. persons flocked to the residence of the Chief Justice to have "Darshan '' of Swami and hear his voice.
On September 13, 1897, Swamiji went to see the Palace, where he was received by two high officials-one of them was Dr A Mitra, who later became the Chief Minister of J&K At that time, the Maharaja was away in Jammu His next brother, Shri Ram Singh, who was the Commander-in-Chief, expressed his desire to meet Swamiji On September 14, 1897, Swamiji was received by Shri Ram Singh, when he requested Swamiji to sit on a chair and he himself along with friends and high officials sat near his feet. At this time, Swamiji delivered a lecture on Hindu Dharma and its various aspects for two hours. Shri Ram Singh arranged a beautiful houseboat for him and instructed all concerned authorities to look after the comforts of Swamiji.
During his period of stay, Swamiji visited, among other places, Bijbehara, Achhabal and Pandrethan, a temple erected by the Pandavas which was old and extremely beautiful. During this trip, he approached an old lady for a glass of water; after drinking water, he asked her what religion she belonged to. She replied in her own language, "Praise the Lord; by the mercy of God, I am a Mussalman"" Later, he asked a Hindu about his religion. He replied, "I am a Hindu". Swamiji then told his fellow people: "See the difference, one should thank God for his religion". Later on, he visited the sacred Kheer Bhawani temple.
Swamiji liked Kashmir so much that on September 15, 1897, he wrote to his fellow Sanyasi, Swami Suddhananda, "I need not tell you of all the beauties of this place. It is one land fit for Yogis to my mind". Again, on october 1, 1897, he wrote to Sister Nivedita, who was in London at that time. "I shall not try to describe Kashmir to you. Suffice it to say, I never felt sorry to leave any country, except this paradise on earth".
Swamini's five Sanyası brothers were with him during his Kashmir visit. In the first week of October 1897, Swamini left Kashmir on the way to Murree. Then he stayed in Jammu up to the first week of November 1897 to get some land allotted for the Ramakrishna Math in Kashmir.
Swami Vivekananda came to Kashmir again in June 1898 on way to Amarnath. He was accompanied by four foreign devotees-Sister Nivedita of Ireland, Mrs. Patterson, Mrs Macleod and Miss Oli Bull, three American nationals. On June 20, 1898, they reached Srinagar in four boats from Baramulla. One boat was for Swamiji and another Sanyasi, one for Mrs Patterson and Sister Nivedita, one for Mrs Macleod and Miss Oli Bull and a fourth boat was used as a kitchen and for dining purposes. In Srinagar, they stayed from June 22, 1898, up to July 25, 1898, a little more than a month.
During their stay in Srinagar, one interesting incident took place. On July 3, 1898, Swamiji decided to celebrate July 4-the Independence Day of the USA, since three of his companions were American citizens. He called for a tailor and with the help of Sister Nivedita got a National flag of the USA prepared. One of the boats was well decorated and on July 4 morning, the American National Flag was hoisted in the presence of the three American devotees which was followed by a good breakfast meeting. On this occasion, Swamiji composed a poem that was recited loudly by way of greetings to the American nation. It is a strange coincidence that on this very day, four years later, on July 4, 1902, Swamiji left for his heavenly abode at Belur Math, Calcutta.
After the July 4 celebrations, the party visited Dal Lake, Shalimar Bagh, Nur Mahal and Nishat Bagh. Swamiji then started alone for going to Amarnath via Sonmarg route and wanted to return by a different route. But Lord Shiva probably willed otherwise Lord Shiva wanted Swamiji to come with his disciple daughter Nivedita. It so happened that summer being unusually hot, certain glaciers had given way, rendering the path from Sonamarg to Amarnath inaccessible which made him retreat.
On July 19, 1898, Swamiji and party visited the famous temple of Pandrethan-abode of the Pandavas which is located inside a pond. The carvings inside the temple, however, suggest it to be of Buddhist age.
Next day, Swamiji and party visited the temple of Awantipur. On July 23, 1898, the party went to see the ruins of Martand temple. On July 25, they went to Achhabal to see the gardens built by Jahangir. Here Swamiji decided to take Sister Nivedita to Amarnath. The other members of the party remained in Pahalgam and waited for their return.
When Swamiji and party reached the end of the Valley and camped there, an encounter took place with the Naga Sadhus who objected to fix their tent next to the one in which a foreign lady was staying. When the leader of the Naga Sadhus came to Swamiji to lodge a protest, he kept looking at Swamiji's face for some time and then said: "I admit you have spiritual strength, but you ought not to manifest it here". Swamiji yielded to their request and removed his tent to one corner. Then in the afternoon, he took Nivedita with him and distributed alms through her to all Naga Sadhus. This action made them friendly with the Sadhus and there was no further trouble during the journey.
Before entering the holy Amarnath cave, the pilgrims had to take bath in the five streams and Swamiji observed this ritual in true spirit. When they entered the cave, he looked at the Ice Lingam for a few minutes, prostrated on the ground thrice and immediately left the cave. He had touched the feet of Lord Shiva. On August 8, 1898, the party left for Anantnag on the way back to Srinagar.
After reaching Srinagar, Swamiji left for Kheer Bhawani Temple alone on September 30, 1898. There he used to perform tapasya every day and worship the small daughter of the priest named Uma. After six days' tapasya, Swamiji returned with a garland of flowers used in worshipping the Goddess. He touched everybody's head with the garland and blessed them.
During this period, Swamiji was worshipping only the Mother Deity-Kali, Durga and so on He was talking only about the Goddess Mother during those days, probably due to the influence of Kheer Bhawani. During this period, he had some plans for development of Kheer Bhawani Temple but he dreamt as if the Goddess was telling him as to who he was to protect Her. "It is I who protects you". During those days, he wrote another famous poem "Kali, the Mother". Then on October 11, 1898, the party left for Baramulla on the way back to the plains.
During this visit to Kashmir, Swamiji had the intention of setting up a branch of Ramakrishna Math and a Sanskrit College in Kashmir. The Maharaja invited him to select a site in Kashmir, according to Swamiji's choice. A site was eventually selected and preliminary formalities were also performed to set up the Math by Sister Nivedita. But to their utter disappointment, the proposal to allot the land to Ramakrishna Math was rejected twice by the then British Resident of Kashmir, Sir Edalbist Taylbot Swamiji was disturbed a little on hearing this news but later he reconciled himself to the situation. Thus the land of Kashmir which was so liked by Swami Vivekananda remained without a Math of the Ramakrishna Mission. However, his visits to Kashmir were the most significant events to realise the divine nature of this Valley. May His blessings continue to be showered on us at all times!
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Courtesy:- Brij Lal Trisal and July 1999 Koshur Samachar