JKNS DESK
Srinagar, Sep 19 (JKNS): A four-day meditation retreat titled “Tantra in Silence – A Journey Within” is being advertised for Gurez Valley from September 24 to 27, 2026, with the promotional material describing it as a retreat centred on tantra, meditation and conscious living.
According to the promotional poster, the programme is being organised under the name Rajneesh Tantra Temple and facilitated by Swami Dhyan Sumit, with the retreat package priced at ₹11,995 per person, including stay, food and sessions.
The poster lists activities including sound healing, meditation, “love and awareness”, conscious living and inner transformation. It also states that white and maroon robes are compulsory for participants.
The advertised programme includes pickup from Srinagar Airport, a scenic drive to Gurez, a stay at a riverside camp and retreat, followed by the return journey to Srinagar. The poster describes the programme as a “sacred Himalayan experience” and says it is inspired by the teachings of Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh.
The proposed retreat has drawn reactions from PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Grand Mufti of Jammu and Kashmir Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam.
In a post on X, Mehbooba Mufti said, “A poster is advertising a ‘Tantra Silence’ retreat in Gurez Valley, Srinagar,” and referred to a similar programme in Goa that she said was cancelled last year following controversy over its promotional material.
“Gurez is no playground for experiments in the name of spirituality or tourism. I request @CM_JnK and @JmuKmrpolice to intervene immediately and take appropriate action,” Mehbooba said.
She also appealed to Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and the office of the Grand Mufti to raise awareness about the issue.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, reacting to Mehbooba’s post, said the concern “deserves immediate attention” and urged the concerned authorities, including Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, to take note of the matter.
“That this kind of program is being allowed in Gurez in Kashmir, when a similar programme by this organisation was cancelled by police in Goa, due to public outrage over its obscene promotional details, is outrageous!” Mirwaiz said.
“Kashmir is the land of sufis and saints. Here spirituality is experienced, not marketed at a cost!” he said, adding that tourism promotion should not become an excuse to undermine the region’s religious, cultural and social ethos.
Grand Mufti of Jammu and Kashmir Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam Farooqi also called for scrutiny of the proposed programme.
“Gurez is a precious part of Kashmir’s heritage, not a laboratory for spiritual or commercial experiments,” he said.
He said development and tourism must respect the region’s cultural character, local sensibilities and longstanding spiritual traditions.
Mufti Nasir-ul-Islam said the proposed retreat warrants scrutiny by the competent authorities, particularly regarding its organisers, programme content, permissions and public presentation.
The controversy comes ahead of the proposed September 24-27 programme, with the organisers’ promotional material presenting it as a meditation and spiritual retreat, while the objections raised by the political and religious figures centre on its nature, facilitator, promotional content and suitability for Gurez. (JKNS)
