The greatest Pilgrimage of Mother Nature

I think most of us know the story of a group of film stars who were summoned to Jodhpur courts for hunting black bucks on the initiative taken by Bishnoi community who are famous for their love for Mother Nature. Bishnois are perhaps the only community in the world who love animals and trees as much as they love and respect God.  Bishnoi community has a history for their love for Trees and animals dating back to 1730 AD when Bishnois fought for the cause of trees against their own king. Hundreds of members of Bishnoi community died but they did not allow army of the king to cut Khejari trees for burning limestone for construction purpose of his palace.   

If we name Khejadli village in Rajasthan in Jodhpur the biggest pilgrimage of Mother Nature that would perhaps describe the place best but most of us in India do not know about such places unless some thing associated with film takes place. You shall be surprised to know that the community trusts in ‘If we can save a tree, we shall sacrifice our head for it as a tree has more value than our heads combined together’  A true sense of selfless sacrifice for the sake of trees and animals and from whom – the uneducated but devoted people of the area.

Rajasthan is famous for different reasons

Rajasthan is famous for its palaces and sculpture, deserts and artificial ponds known as bawdis where the kings arranged to collect water to fulfill the needs of their people and self-use. Rajasthan is also famous for its brave kings and number beautiful cities where tourists come from allover the world but very few people know that Rajasthan is also famous for village Khejadli on international level for having a nature loving community who love Mother Nature more than their own lives.

There is memorial constructed in Khejadli village in memory of more than 350 people died while trying to save Khejari trees as they took the trees in their arms when the army of the king tried to cut them. They happily sacrificed their lives but did not allow soldiers to cut trees. The fight stopped while the king came on the scene and ordered his soldiers to refrain from their act. That was a struggle between forces of self-confidence and army of a king, which ended only when king gave up. The Khejari tree is official tree of Rajasthan today. 

There is a temple of Jambheshwar the respected Guru of Bishnois, just behind the memorial where a big gathering takes place on the day of sacrifice of 363 members of the community every year. Although more than 280 years have passed when the incident took place but the community has perhaps more dedicated than it was ever before. They never allow any wrong action against trees and animals in their area and leave all their work behind to gather for the sacred cause of protecting nature.

Pilgrimage of Mother nature

Perhaps that is one of the main reasons that this particular area has lot of deer, Chinkara, black bucks etc openly wandering in the area without any danger to them. If ever a stray case of hunting of animals or cutting down a tree happens, the community reacts very strongly against it. Bishnoi community is a true lover of Mother Nature. I must mention here that this particular area consists of Bishnoi community mainly and not only village Khejadli but also surrounding area is full of natural beauty. A place situated about 10 Km from Khejadli having a big natural water tank attracts rare birds, deer of all species available in the area and other animals that attracts tourists visiting Jodhpur. The love and respect the people of the area have for Mother Nature probably qualify this area to be called as pilgrimage of Mother Nature.