Late Gangaram (baba) Yadav

“I have also read it in the historical documents in Gujarati…it was a long text like the Ramayana, where I read that Lord Mahadev had himself meditated in the land of Manibeli. From that text, I came to know that Lord Mahadev had committed the sin of Brahmahatya and to repent for this sin, he wandered around in the whole world, but he couldn’t wash away the blood from his trident. But when he meditated in Manibeli and washed his trident there, the blood was washed away. A linga emerged at the spot which was consecrated by Lord Mahadev himself, and that is why the temple at Shoolpaneshwar was named as Shoolpaneshwar Mahadev… People say that Ashwathama lights a lamp before Lord Mahadev every day even today. I haven’t seen it with my own eyes, why should one lie, you should only speak the truth. But the elders say that Ashwathama comes daily to the Soolpaneshwar temple, lights a lamp for Lord Mahadev and leaves.”

Gangarambaba Yadav

A steadfast member of Narmada Bachao Andolan, Gangarambaba had dedicated his life to the struggle at Manibeli during one of the most trying times of the NBA. Here Gangarambaba narrates the divinity of the Shoolpaneshwar temple which was situated on the banks of the river Narmada at Manibeli and was submerged by the Sardar Sarovar Dam.  This short clip is important for all those who wish to understand how dams have destroyed our historical and magnificent temples in the name of ‘development’.

Interview Duration:
0:03:25

Language:
Hindi and Nimadi, Subtitles in English

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