Rajānaka, a venerable title bestowed by royal authorities in the classical era of Kashmir, was conferred upon individuals who have made exceptional contributions in knowledge, spirituality, and statesmanship. Historical luminaries bearing this distinction include Rajanaka Ruyyaka, Rajanaka Mahimäbhatta, Rajanaka Jonaraja, and eminent Saiva Acaryas like Rajanaka Ramakantha, Rajanaka Sitikantha, Rajanaka Jayaratha, Rajanaka Ksemaraja, Rajanaka Utpaladeva and Mahamahesvara Acarya Rajanaka Abhinavagupta himself.With the fall of Kashmir and the subsequent erosion of the native religio-cultural landscape, the significance of the term has waned in our collective memory, though it survives as the Kashmiri Pundit surnames of Raina and Razdan.

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The present Rajanaka Puraskar, envisaged by the Abhinavagupta Institute of Advanced Studies seeks to resurrect the lost Rajanaka title with the noble aim of recognizing individuals who have made exceptional contributions in the domain of Trika, popularly known as Kashmir Saivism.

 

Through the rejuvenation of indigenous intellectual traditions, we seek to contribute towards the Indic civilizational resurgence.

A sculpture of Bhairava and Käli, follwing the Kashmiri and Kerala depictions respectively, shall unite to form the award, symbolizing the tantric vision of reality as well as the cultural integration of these regions, keeping in mind that Kerala preserves the rituals of the Kashmiri Krama system to this day. The sculpture shall be designed by renowned artist, Silasri Ekabhumi Charles Ellik. In addition to the sculpture, recipients are honored with a certificate of recognition, and a sum of & one lakh and one. Rajanaka Puraskar will be awarded once in three years, and the venue of the award ceremony shall alternate between Kashmir and Kerala. Silasri Jagdeep Dhankhar, Honourable Vice President of India confered the first Rajanaka Puraskar upon Dr Mark Dyczkowski and Dr Navjivan Rastogi, distinguished scholars of Tantra on the 8th of March 2024.

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