Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Khejarii: WITNESS OF BISHNOI MARTYRDOM

Khejarii is a village in Jodhpur district of Rajasthan. The name of the village is derived from Khejri (Prosopis Cineraria) trees, which were in abundance in the village. In this village 363 Bishnois had sacrifice their lives in 1730’ AD for protecting green trees.
Origin of Chipko Movement
It is the place where Chipko Movemeijt ubs originated in India. It was a black Tuesday in Khejarili. 10th day of the bright fortnight of the month Bhadra (Indian, lunar Calendar) In 1730 A.D. Arnrita Devi mother of three daughters namely. Asu, Ratni and Bhagu was at home with her daughters. Suddenly, She came to know that many people had descended in their otherwise sleepy village. It was a party of Maharaja Abhay Singh, Ruler of Marwar (Jodhpur) state who wanted to feel green Khejri (Prosopis Cineraria) trees to burn lime for the construction of his new place. Since there was a lot of greenery in the Bishnois villages even in the middle of Tharp Desert, the king ordered his men to get the woods of Khejri trees from Khejarili Village.
Amrita Devi sacrificed for saving trees
Anrita Devi protested against King’s men attempting to cut green trees as it was prohibited in Bishnoi religion. The malevolent feudal party told her that if she wanted the trees to be spared, she should give them money as bribe. She refused to acknowledge this demand and told them that she would consider it as an act of ignominy and insult to her religious faith. She said that she would rather give away her life to save the green trees. It is at that stage she spoke these words:
“Sar santey rookh rahe to bhi sasto jaan” (If a tree is saved even at the cost of one’s head, it’s worth it)
Saying these words, she offered her head! The axes, which were brought to cut the trees, severed her head from her trunk. The three young girls Asu, Ratni and Bhagu were not daunted, and offered their heads too!!
Mass movement to protect trees
The news spread like wildfire,. Bishnoi’s gathered and sent summons to 83 near by Bishnoi village to come and decide onthe next course of action. Since the supreme sacrifice by those four had not satisfied the royan party, and the filling of green trees was continued. It was sacrifice his/her life. In the begining ,old people voluntarily started holding the trees to be cut in an embrace now known as Chipko movement of 20th Century in Uttar Pradesh.
363 Bishnois became martyrs
In this way many valiant old person gave away their lives, but it faild to have the desired impact. Moreover, the Hakim (Royal party’s leader) taunted the Bishnois that in this manner they were offering unwanted old persons. Soon, young men, women, including recently married ones and children were sacrificing themselves in a similar manner,
There was intense pandemonium. It completely shook the tree-felling
party, headed by their leader Girdhar Das Bhandari (Hakim), they left for jodhpur with their mission unfulfilled and told the Maharaja about what had happened. As soon as he learnt it, he ordered stoppage of the felling of trees.
By that time. Three Hundred and Sixty Three (363) Bishnois, young and old, men and women, married and unmarried, rich and poor had already become martyrs. Gotra wise number of these martyrs was as under: Achara (1), Badaderi (1), Badiyani (1), Chotiya (1), Degipal (1), Dudan (1), Geela (1), Goyal (1), Janwar (1), Javalia (1), Juriya (1), Kalirani (1), Khavi (1), Kichar (1), Kupasiya (1), Lamba (1), Maal (1), Rinwa (1), Seegar (1), Tadi (1), Vaasu (1), Adeena (2), Bhadiawas (2),
Bola (2), Jhangu (2), Manjhu (2), Punia (2), Thalod (2), Bhanwal (3), Chahar (3), Dhatarwal (3), Potalia (3), Rahad (3), Siyol (3), Badiya (4), Dhayal (4), Isram (4), Karhwasra (4), Bhangarwas (5), Dukia (5), Khava (6), Khileri (6), Lol (6), Nain (6), Sahu (6), Sinwar (6), Dhaka (8), Dara (9), Dudi (10), Kaswan (10), Khod (10), Khokhar (10), Panwar (10), Asiagh (13), Jani (15), Saran (18), Babal (22), Beniwal (25), Bhadu (26), Godara (37), Gotra not clear (22).
The tree felling banned
Honouring the courage of the Bishnois community, the uler of Jodhpur,
Maharaja Abhay Singh, apologised for the mistake committed by his
officials and issued a royal decree, engraved on a copper plate ordering
the following:
(A) All cutting of green trees and hunting of animals within the revenue boundaries of Bishnoi villages was strictly prohibited.
(B) It was also ordered that if by mistake any individual violated this order, he would be prosecuted by state and a severe penalty imposed.
(C) Even the members of ruling family did not shoot animals in or even near the Bishnoi’s village
Bishnoi’s Martyrdom Honoured
In October 1996, Nihal Chand Bishnoi had sacrificed his life for protecting wild animals. A film “Willing to Sacrifice” based on his story won the main award of the Enviornment film at the 5th International Festivals of Films, TV and Video Program ENVIRON’99 Bratislava Slovak Republic.
Bishnoi community has always paid a huge price for saving trees and animals for the good of man kind. Incident like these has revived the importance of trees and wild life and has inspired whole of the world and will continue to do so in future to fight and protect trees and wild life.

Bishnois of Rajasthan:-

A community which practices to protect plant, animal life and regenerate ground water.
In the year 1471 A.D., there was a severe drought in a village called Pipasar of Rajasthan. The drought lasted for three years. Every bit of grass and plants were chopped to feed the animals. Children starved, cattle were dying and there was not a drop of water. People left their homes to search for water. At that time, there was a man called ‘Jambeshwar’ who was acutely pained at the tragedy but wisely learnt a lesson. He noticed that, unlike in the past, the land was not able to withstand the destruction from the drought as a large number of trees had been felled. If life was to survive, people must understand the value of environment. He preached that the way in which we lived should be in harmony with nature and not against it. He came to be known as Guru Maharaj Jambaji. Jambaji put down his thoughts into 29 principles which are followed by his disciples who are known as Bishnois (20+9) or twentyniners. According to the religion preached by Jambaji, there was strict ban on:-
- Killing of any animals or bird;
- Felling of a green tree.

The unique religion of conservation was taken up by a large number of people in Rajasthan and the number of Bishnois increased to the entire village communities. This helped to make villages greener and restore the natural ecosystems. Vegetation naturally helped to recharge the ground water.
About 300 years after this religion was founded, the soldiers of king of Jodhpur tried to cut trees in a Bishnoi village of Khejadali so that a new place may be built for the king. The Bishnois tried to reason with them and stop them but in vain. But true of their religion, the Bishnois hugged the trees to protect them. The soldiers attacked them to overcome the protest and 363 Bishnois were killed. When the king heard of this massacre and the unique religion, he was overcome by people’s devotion. He ordered his men to withdraw, gave the religion state sanction and ensured that the wishes of Bishnois were respected in future.
Even today, after many generations, Bishnois continue to protect the trees and animals. One can spot a Bishnoi village easily as being more green and abundant in wildlife. The population of Black Buck, which is in the list of endangered species, is found to be in greater number in Bishnoi villages than outside.
In today’s environment, when many places are facing acute shortage of water and pollution of air, land and water, we need to take a lesson from Bishnois. Conservation is a religion every human being should adopt.

Shri Bishnoi Mandir or Dharamshala

HARYANA
  • HISAR
  1. Mohalla Udhaipuria Hisar Ph. No. 01662-225804
  2. Jawhar Nagger Ph. No. 01662-231968
  3. Adampur Mandi Ph. No. 01669-242199
  • FATHABAD
  1. Sirsa Road, Fathabad Ph. No. 01667-225629
  2. Ratia (Bhudlada Road) Ph. No. 01697-252229
  3. Tohana Ph. No. 01692-233341
  • SIRSA
  1. Sirsa (Hisaria Gate Ke Bahar) Ph. No. 01666-221985
  2. Mandi Dabwali Ph. No. 01668-229260
  • KURUKSHETRA
  1. Kurukshetra (Kali Kamli Ashram Ke Samne) Ph. No. 01744-290020,225020
  • PANCHKULA
  1. Sector-15, Police Choki Ke Samne Ph.No. 0172-2594129
RAJASTHAN
  • BIKANER
  1. Bikaner 01531-2520278
  2. Bikaner Ph. No. 01531-266770 (Public Park)
  3. Mukam Niz Mandir Ph. No. 01531-266635
  4. Janghalu Ph. No. 01532-233529 (Sathert, Barsingh Talai, Gawa)
  • JODHPUR
  1. Jodhpur Ph. No. 0192-2574761
  2. Jamba Ph. No. 0292-2223374
  3. Jajiwala Dhora (Mandir Or Dharamshala) Ph. No. 0291-250369
  4. Lakashman Negar (Chadi) Ph. No. 02923-255652
  • JALOR
  1. Sewadi Ph. No. 02969-251129
  • AJMER
  1. Pushker Ph. No. 0145-2773278
PUNJAB
  • FIROJPURA
  1. Abhore, Near Sahitai Sadan Raipura Ph. No. 01634-231433
UTRANCHAL
  • DHARADUN
  1. Dharadun Ph No. 0135-2651910
  2. Rishikesh, Subash Chock Ph. No. 0135-2433467
  • HARIDWAR
  1. Bhim Goda Ph. No. 0133-2460301
DELHI
  1. Guru Jambhaswer Sansthan Bhawan Near Inderprasht Collage Aperbela Road Delhi – 54 Ph. No. 011- 23818898, 55761179