Friday, June 21, 2013

Disaster in Uttarakhand- Fragile Himalayan Region


Our experiences have taught us very clearly that the Uttarakhand region is very fragile from two perspectives; one the mountains in this region are 85-90% constituted of mud, sand and debris. The other aspect of fragileness is from spiritual point of view. The mountains in Garhwal & Kumaon, Himalayan region are also called as baby mountains, which are sensitive, fragile and very shy in nature. God exists in this region, that's why probably this is also known as Dev Bhoomi. I remember one of the regional believe, that one use to not even shout loudly in some regions of Himalayas( Garhwal & Kumaon). There are some places if you shout loudly or create a sound, stones start falling and the region is disturbed. On the name of development we have constructed big buildings, Unthoughtful blasting for constructing roads, high numbers of dams, habitation close to river belt, sharp deforestation, mining etc. Intervention in nature’s boundaries has resulted to all what we have recently experienced. This needs no discussions that this region needs cleanliness, cleanliness not in terms of plastics or environment. Yes that is required but there is other aspect of cleanliness which is related to body made of panch bhoot(earth, wind, water, fire and space/sky) and we have forgotten to look into this aspect. It is important to mention that holy shrines like Kedarnath ,Badrinath and others are technical in nature sanctity should be maintained as per the process which is being followed since ages. These days we all visit shrines just for the sake of fun and have made them as picnic spots. Shrines cannot be honey moon spots. Young Ladies in olden days never use to travel to such shrines if they are in their physiological days. Nobody is sure if such fundamental rules are being followed. This needs self awareness. Men also used to observe complete Brahmacharya during the Yatra in terms of food and other habits. Managing cleanliness in environment and in inner self is very important aspect, if you want to enter in the Himalayan region. Another important aspect of this region is that on the name of development/ construction, many important and ancient temples are being displaced from this region which is not a healthy action from environment perspective. Finally, on 16th June 2013,The Himalayan Tsunami came at 8.15 am clearing all manmade infrastructures. The only area left untouched is the "Lord Shiva Temple" and "Nandi" outside the temple. Spiritually It seems as if the nature performed Abhishek of Lord Shivaafter cleaning all the dirt around the Holy Shrine.. Breaking the Temple door, the mountain water entered the Temple and performed the Jal Abhishek/Pooja. Also prior to the Tsunami in Himalaya region the temple of Dari Devi was displaced. Dari Devi Temple was in news for quite long as large number of regional community was not in favor of displacing the ancient temple. Temple Dari Devi is one of the ancient temple with high degree of energy level located close to Garhwal Srinagar. This is the firm belief of residents of Himalayas that this is the result of the unrest of Dhari Devi and disturbing her existence from the location which was ages old. This is completely spiritual and beyond the thoughts of science and logic. Science can not intervene in unfolding the logics of rituals which are being performed from ages.
My sincere urge is to manage the balance of environment and spiritual sanctity. Earth will not exist if Himalayas are not safe. If Himalayas are not safe, yours and my so called flats, bungalows, farm houses, Government Rest Houses.....etc... will not be safe in Delhi, Bombay or elsewhere. 
So please wake up and DO NOT TOUCH/ INTERVENE IN NATURE' BOUNDARIES.