Today marks Magh Shukla Paksha Dashmi, the Janam Jayanti of Swami Boetoth ji Maharaj. Kashmir, known as the land of saints, is home to Mata Kheer Bhawani Tikker in Kupwara, a hub for numerous saints who dedicated their lives to Sadhana and attained Moksha. Swami Boetoth ji Maharaj was a revered saint who was born in 1906 on this auspicious day. It is said that Swami ji was a disciple of Swami Nand Lal ji Maharaj and a devoted follower of Maa RAGINYA Baghwati. The early life of Swami Boetoth ji Maharaj was closely linked with that of Swami Nand Lal ji Maharaj because they were both classmates as well as neighbors in Gurgari Mohalla, Srinagar. However, their paths took different directions when Swami Nand Lal ji Maharaj left school to pursue a life of Sainthood, while Swami Boetoth ji Maharaj experienced his spiritual awakening later, after completing his education and becoming a civil engineer during Maharaja Hari Singh's reign. His life took a transformative turn in 1948 when he met Pandit Jia Lal Peshen in Srinagar, who spoke highly of Swami Nand Lal ji Maharaj's remarkable spiritual powers. Intrigued by these stories, Pandit Sham Lal Saproo sought to learn more about Swami Nand Lal ji Maharaj's identity and whereabouts, ultimately leading to a significant meeting with the esteemed saint.
The meeting was both a revelation and an enlightenment for Pandit Sham Lal Saproo. Very soon, captivated by the serene presence of a revered personality who was none other than Swami Nand Lal ji Maharaj, he began to regularly visit the sage. This strengthened their bond. The much-admired Swami Nand Lal ji Maharaj so powerfully influenced him to finally say goodbye to worldly life, family, and loved ones-a wife, two sons, and two daughters-so that he would devote himself wholly to the spiritual life. He was accepted as a chief disciple by his Master Swami Nand Lal ji Maharaj, who lovingly awarded him the title of "Boetoth." As a sincere disciple, Swami Boetoth ji Maharaj served his Guru with great dedication and gradually gained spiritual insight and powers under the guidance of his Master. Under the direction of Swami Nand Lal ji Maharaj, he managed HUSHROO ASHRAM, through which Swami Boetoth continued serving the spiritual community. He had previously spent 12 years in intense Sadhana at Rishipeer, Sopore, which supplemented his spiritual quest. As Swami Nand Lal ji Maharaj approached Nirvana, Swami Boetoth ji Maharaj expressed doubts about staying in HUSHROO ASHRAM after his Guru's passing. When asked what he intended to do, Swami Boetoth ji Maharaj stated he would like to go to Tikker to begin the next phase of his spiritual journey, there to continue his service and establish the sacred Nand Bhawan with the spiritual guidance of his Guru. After the Nirvana of Swami Nand Lal ji Maharaj in 1968, Swami Boetoth ji Maharaj settled in Tikker, living in a humble house made out of wood in the vicinity of Mata Raganya Temple. Following his commitment to this mission, he then undertook the construction of NAND BHAWAN in 1969 with the support of Pandit Jia Lal Peshen (Jaigopal).
Swami Boetoth ji Maharaj, a faithful disciple of Swami Nand Lal ji Maharaj, made significant contributions towards the revival of the Mata Kheer Bhavani Asthapan at Tikker. He not only lent his administrative experience and religious devotion, thereby reviving this holy Tirtha, but also to revive the spiritual legacy of Swami Nand Lal ji Maharaj. Under the direction of Swami Boetoth ji Maharaj, the construction of the Mata Kheer Bhawani Temple was completed in 1972. It was indeed a labor of love from all the devotees who were involved in this task and significance was added by the planting of the sacred Mata Raganya icon inside the sanctum. The ceremonial establishment of this icon in the temple is believed to be a milestone in the spiritual annals of the region, signifying the temple as a very center of devotion and worship.
Swami Boetoth ji Maharaj continued the spiritual tone of the community until he was able to attain the final stage of his life, Nirvana, in 1982, on Chittra Shukla Paksha Dashmi. His last breath was spent in the house of his chief disciple, Sh O N Thusoo, who was a civil engineer. His spirit joined with those of Swami Kralbub ji Maharaj, Sh O N Thusoo, Kumari Jiga ji, Sh Jia Lal Peshen, Sh Jagarnath Pandita, Sh Madhusudan Padroo, and the whole family of Sh O N Thusoo, whereupon he left the body.
The Visible Reconstruction drive was initiated in 1969 and continued until 1982 under his leadership, the first project being the construction of NAND BHAWAN in 1969, followed by Lal Bhawan in 1970-71, Mata Kheer Bhawani Temple in 1972, two water storage tanks in 1974, the main stairs leading to the Mata Sharda temple in 1976, the statue temple and stone wall of Swami Nand Lal ji Ashram in 1977 and the Swami Kralbub ji Maharaj Kuteer in 1978. He oversaw the construction of the dining hall and community kitchen in 1979 and also a double-storey KB Public School on the main road built in 1980. In 1981 steps were initiated towards the construction of Mata Sharada temple, completed later in 1984.
Today, we pay homage to the great Architect of Mata Kheer Bhawani Asthapan Tikker with the prayer that his blessings may forever guide us in our mission of transforming Mata Kheer Bhawani Asthapan Tikker into a globally acknowledged Sanatan Heritage and Cultural center in this far-flung region of our Bharat.
(Vivek Koul)
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