Governor Kavinder Gupta today said that the 51 Shakti Peeths are not merely centres of religious faith but enduring symbols of India's spiritual heritage, cultural continuity and national unity. He emphasized the need for scientific research, systematic documentation and global promotion of India's rich Shakti tradition.
Addressing the inaugural session of the four-day National Seminar "Shakti Mimansa" on the theme "51 Shakti Peeths: Spiritual Pillars of India's Heritage", jointly organised by the Central Sanskrit University, Shri Maharaja Ranbir Singh Campus, Jammu, and the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Katra, today, the Governor said that the Shakti Peeths reflect India's timeless civilisational ethos and have strengthened the country's cultural unity for centuries.
"Shakti is not merely an object of worship; it is the eternal force of creation, knowledge, compassion, courage and national consciousness. It represents the spiritual energy that has guided Indian civilisation through the ages," the Governor said.
Shri Gupta observed that the seminar would provide an opportunity to study the concept of Shakti from philosophical, historical, cultural and civilisational perspectives. He stressed that the historical, archaeological and cultural significance of the Shakti Peeths should be researched in a scientific and authentic manner.
"Our heritage is preserved not only by protecting monuments but also by safeguarding the traditions, knowledge systems and cultural practices associated with them. Modern technology should be harnessed for the digital documentation and preservation of these sacred sites for future generations," he added.
The Governor said that at a time when the world is increasingly embracing India's knowledge traditions, yoga, Ayurveda and spirituality, the philosophy of Shakti offers a universal message of respect for women, harmony with nature, inner strength and global well-being.
Calling upon young scholars to actively engage in research on Sanskrit literature, Shakti traditions, Tantra philosophy and Indian Knowledge Systems, Shri Gupta said that the National Education Policy-2020 has created new opportunities to integrate India's ancient wisdom with modern academic research."The future of India will be brighter when our youth remain connected to their cultural roots while pursuing excellence in modern education and research," he remarked.
Expressing confidence in the outcome of the seminar, the Governor said that the deliberations and research presented during the four-day event would make a meaningful contribution to the preservation, promotion and global recognition of India's spiritual and cultural heritage. He congratulated the organisers for hosting the important seminar and wished it great success.