Vishnupad corridor: Gayawal pandas oppose vedis relocation
Gaya: Gayawal pandas have objected to the proposed relocation of ‘vedis’ (altars) during the execution of the Vishnupad corridor project . According to Shambhu Lal Bithal, president of Vishnupad Management Committee, the ‘vedis’ were not man-made, but were divine spots created by Brahma, the creator, and any proposal to relocate them was not acceptable to them.
According to VHP district president Mani Lal Barik, not only the ‘vedis’ the temple too should remain in its present shape. He also demanded inclusion of other Pinda daan spots like Ramshila and Pretshila in the corridor project. “These places were integral to the Pinda daan rituals . There used to be 365 ‘vedis’, but now only 54 exists and no less than 311 ‘vedis’ have been encroached upon. Efforts should be made to reclaim all the encroached ‘vedis’,” said Barik.
The issues relating to the proposed Vishnupad corridor came for discussion at a meeting organised in the collectorate on Monday.
DM Shashank Shubhankar assured the pandas that due weight will be given to their concerns and if necessary changes would be made in the proposed plan to accommodate their view.
The DM, while agreeing to their concerns on the issue of ‘vedis’, said the 16 of them earlier identified for relocation will remain where they are and rituals will continue to be performed as per tradition and convention. The DM made it clear that the project is mainly designed to make the area pilgrim friendly and the spirit of the Pinda daan event will be maintained during the execution of the project.
No clarity could emerge at the meeting about the number of houses to be fully or partially demolished during the proposed widening of the approach road between Chand Chauraha and Vishnupad Temple.
President of Vishnupad Management Committee said while the pandas were not against development, only such houses should be demolished which was entirely inevitable and everything should be done with a human face.
Gaya Municipal Corporation would be identifying the buildings and structures to be demolished during the execution of the project.
The DM said due importance will be given to the proper conservation of the shrine. He also said the Sijuar Dharamshala located near the main shrine will be conserved as a heritage structure.
As per available details, the project includes development of temple complex, renovation of ghats, re-development of Tulsi Park, establishment of Lord Vishnu cultural centre, suspension bridge linking Sita Kund and beautification of five ponds etc.
According to VHP district president Mani Lal Barik, not only the ‘vedis’ the temple too should remain in its present shape. He also demanded inclusion of other Pinda daan spots like Ramshila and Pretshila in the corridor project. “These places were integral to the Pinda daan rituals . There used to be 365 ‘vedis’, but now only 54 exists and no less than 311 ‘vedis’ have been encroached upon. Efforts should be made to reclaim all the encroached ‘vedis’,” said Barik.
The issues relating to the proposed Vishnupad corridor came for discussion at a meeting organised in the collectorate on Monday.
DM Shashank Shubhankar assured the pandas that due weight will be given to their concerns and if necessary changes would be made in the proposed plan to accommodate their view.
The DM, while agreeing to their concerns on the issue of ‘vedis’, said the 16 of them earlier identified for relocation will remain where they are and rituals will continue to be performed as per tradition and convention. The DM made it clear that the project is mainly designed to make the area pilgrim friendly and the spirit of the Pinda daan event will be maintained during the execution of the project.
No clarity could emerge at the meeting about the number of houses to be fully or partially demolished during the proposed widening of the approach road between Chand Chauraha and Vishnupad Temple.
President of Vishnupad Management Committee said while the pandas were not against development, only such houses should be demolished which was entirely inevitable and everything should be done with a human face.
Gaya Municipal Corporation would be identifying the buildings and structures to be demolished during the execution of the project.
The DM said due importance will be given to the proper conservation of the shrine. He also said the Sijuar Dharamshala located near the main shrine will be conserved as a heritage structure.
As per available details, the project includes development of temple complex, renovation of ghats, re-development of Tulsi Park, establishment of Lord Vishnu cultural centre, suspension bridge linking Sita Kund and beautification of five ponds etc.
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