Swami Kral Bab’s birth anniversary celebrated in Kashmir’s Venkur ashram after 32 years

Followers from all over the country visited the Ashram at Venkur, Baramulla in Kashmir to celebrate Swami Kral Bab’s birth anniversary.

Swami Kral Bab was born in 1928 on Phagun Purnima, also celebrated as the day of Holi/Holika Dehan. He established his first Ashram at Venkur, Baramulla and gained followers soon after. Natives say that he brought spiritual repute and prosperity to the place. Today, several generations of Kashmiri Pandit families living all over the world are devotees of the saint.

Born in a simple family in Kashmir, Swami Kral Bab’s original name was Bhagwan Dass in Kralgund village of Kupwara, Kashmir. He had a spiritual inclination since a very young age. He was the disciple of Swami Nand Lal Ji, who is also a revered figure for Kashmiri Pandits. He was renamed ‘Kral Bab’ by his guru.

A havan was performed on 18th March 2022 at the Venkur Ashram to observe the birth anniversary of the Yogi. The celebration also included Kashmiri folk music and religious music sung by various artists and devotees of Swami Kral Bab.

The Venkur Ashram of Swami Kral Bab, which was in shambles for many years, has been recently renovated by followers of Swami Kral Bab. It holds great importance since the Saint built the ashram after his guru (spiritual master) Swami Nand Lal Ji left for his heavenly abode in 1968. Swami Kral Bab established an ashram thereafter and lived in Venkur, Baramulla from around 1970 to 1979. He established several other Ashrams like Namtihaal (Budgam district, Kashmir), Tikri village (Kupwara District, Kashmir) and Garhi(Udhampur, Jammu).

Swami Kral Bab laid the foundation stone of another ashram at Garhi, Udhampur in Jammu in the year 1975 as per his devotees. The saint had professed that the Garhi, Udhampur Ashram will be of significant importance in the time to come. His prophecy came true when the Ashram became a transit camp for Kashmiri Pandits fleeing Kashmir during the 90s exodus.

Swami Kral Bab left for his heavenly abode on 18th September 1990.

Talking to Digpu News, a devotee said,” We have performed the havan this year after 32 years. I feel blessed that we were a part of this celebration of our guru’s birth anniversary.”

Another devotee said,” We have received immense support and cooperation from the locals including our Muslim brethren here. We felt completely safe here and we pray for world peace.”