Om Banna and Shrine for Royal Enfield Motorbike

• • Jodhpur, Pali, Rajasthan • Tags:
Om Banna and Shrine for Royal Enfield Motorbike

Sunil is a friend and I riding a Royal Enfield Thunderbird Twinspark motorbike driving on National Highway 65 heading towards Pali. The wind is harsh and speedy, and difficult to drive. Traffic is heavy, especially trucks. Drive slowly, Drive carefully – The mantra. Today, we are going to worship the Royal Enfield motorbike. Yes, you have read correctly. Love for the Royal Enfield motorbike has existed always since childhood, but worship? Even Sunil is having a Royal Enfield motorbike since ages, converted into a diesel engine, but worship? Anyways, Sunil is from Jodhpur and is aware of the location – Chotila village.

Jodhpur to Chotila Village, National Highway 65 is 50 Km approx.

We started the journey at 1:30 p.m. from Jodhpur and reached Chotila Village, NH 65 at 2:45 noon hours.

A number of trucks, buses, cars, motorcycles, or you can say all modes of road transport, no matter private or government, are parked. We park our motorbike on the right side of the road. Shoes were removed to walk towards an ornamented (with bangles) tree and later towards the shrine. Prayers, offerings, and a 360-degree circle around the shrine. 80s old model Royal Enfield motorbike parked neatly, covered with garlands. This is the very first time since I was born and driving a motorbike, watching devotees worshiping the Royal Enfield motorbike by offering garlands. Curious enough to know more, we walk towards Dharamshala situated close by, and History as told by Shree Hemraj Purohit:

Vikram Samvat 2045 (2nd December 1988) night hours at 10 accident happened at this location. Om Banna, along with his friend, was driving a Royal Enfield motorbike from Pali on the way towards Rohat when their motorcycle hit a Jaal tree. Om Banna died on the spot, but his friend survived. The motorcycle was taken to Kerla (now known as Rohta) by policemen. After two/three years few say after six months, suddenly one night the motorcycle started automatically on its own at the police station. Few say it was later seen at the accident site. This happened quite a few times. Each time the motorbike was taken back to the police station, but again was found near the tree. It was decided to send the motorbike to Hukma Ram’s house – a potter at Chotila. Again, one day, the motorcycle started at Potter’s house. It was then decided by locals to place the motorbike at the accident site near the tree. Since then, the motorbike has never started on its own.

One day, Om Banna showed a miracle to his grandmother by appearing at night and saying I am not dead, I am alive. He also requested his grandmother to donate two bigha land to Hemraj Purohit, which was done. They say only after six months of death, Om Banna started showing miracles to the village people, and faith developed among them. Many truck drivers driving on National Highway 65 said they felt that someone sitting with them during night hours, and many stories about how Om Banna saved a few accidents.

Om Banna died at the age of 23 or 24 years and was the only son of his father. His son, Maha Prakrami Singh, is 23 years old now and was born almost two months after that accident. Late Om Banna’s grandmother is no longer alive, but his father, Shree Jog Singh, stays at Chotila Village, three km from the shrine.

Eight days after Diwali, there is a huge gathering of devotees at this location. The location where currently worship is done was actually land for cattle to graze but as it was an accident place and the number of devotees was increasing the land was transferred to Om Banna’s father and an equal size of the land was donated by Om Banna’s father for cattle graze little away from the shrine. Last 20 years motorcycle was near to Jaal tree, but as NH 65 widening was going on nine months back, it was shifted a little inside, close to the fields.

Buses from Jodhpur Bus Depot for Pali, Sanderao, and Abu Road will drop you at Om Banna.

A small Dharamshala is there if you want to stay at night or a stop during the day for prayers and a little rest.

We went to Chotila Village to meet Om Banna’s father. He is old, but welcoming guests is his priority. We were offered water, tea, and talks for hours. We saw a 1962 model Russian-made tractor, not in use since Banna’s death, was purchased for Rs. 13,100 only. Om Banna’s son is currently studying at college. We met him at the shrine location. We were shown an article about a film in making under the Koyal Film Production banner in Mumbai very shortly. In short, it was a new experience.

While returning towards Jodhpur left left-hand side a little far from the shrine, we stop at Prahladchand Mangilalji Prajapat shop for the famous Mogar ki Kachori and for tea Prajapat tea stall.

Kurja Pakshi Vihar Sthal – Winter Home of Demoiselle Crane Migratory Birds

• • Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Rajasthan • Tags:

Jaisalmer to Khichan village, Jodhpur distance is 173 km approx.

Jaisalmer to Jodhpur journey by hired cab. On the way, we stopped at Baba Ramdev ji Temple and 58 km further at Khichan Village to watch Demoiselle Crane – migratory birds are also known as Kurja.

Kurja Pakshi Vihar Sthal is on the left-hand side of the village as the car drives within the by-lanes. Village children are there to guide you. Large groups of migratory birds have never been seen before. And to know more, a child directed us towards a person – Sevaram.

Sevaram is a four-time wildlife awardee, taking care of migratory birds for the last ten years. Marwar Samaj, District Jodhpur, honored him for his selfless services, and very recently, he was selected for the Wildlife Warden from Jodhpur. In short, crane conservation, i.e., Sevaram. He stays near Pakshi Chuga Ghar (feeding home) on the other side of Khichan Village, the location of birds in the morning hours.

Early morning Demoiselle Crane – migratory birds fly from the salt area for Pakshi Chuga Ghar, and late morning hours, 11:30 or so, they fly to reach two ponds – Vijay Sagar, Ratri Naadi situated at Kurja Pakshi Vihar Sthal, Khichan Village. Five evening hours approx. they again fly back to the salt area, which is approx. 35 km from Kheechan to stay in the night hours. And again, early morning hours for feeding home, and then towards two ponds and back to the salt area.

Jowar (white millet), Salt, and Saltwater are bird’s food. Mostly Jain community/villagers feed birds. Sevaram cares for birds, including injured ones, and takes them to Jodhpur Hospital if required. He also fights legally if anyone disturbs the peace of the birds.

07.09.2011 – The date Demoiselle Crane migrated to Khichan. By March end or April 1st week they will leave finally to be back again in the month of September/October. Sevaram knows so much about birds, even the day they arrive at Khichan. Sevaram is truly one of the true conservationists.

Thank you – said I.

  • Khichan to Osian Sand Dunes distance is 74 km approx.

(Jodhpur to Osian Sand Dunes is approx. 70 km via National Highway 65)

  • Khichan to Jodhpur via Osian Sand Dunes Distance is 149 km approx.

History of Kuldhara (Abandoned Village) – Narrated by Guide

• • Jaisalmer, Rajasthan • Tags:

History of Kuldhara (Abandoned Village), a deserted town. Haunted? Curiosity exists, and we driving to know more.

What do you know about Kuldhara – The question for the driver of the cab.

Paliwal Brahmins dilapidated houses is Kuldhara. The daughter of a Brahmin was liked by the King, and a request for marriage was conveyed, but was not accepted. Due to the fear of saying no to the King, Brahmins left their villages in one night and shifted to Pali.

Where is Pali? – Another question.

Pali is 74 km from Jodhpur.

In those days, one cannot argue or disobey the wish of the King that is why Paliwal Brahmins left their villages in one night. This story is real and is about hundreds of years old – said the driver.

But what about today? Does anybody stay at that location?

No.

Why?

Because there is nothing there except those ruins. There are no basic amenities existing.

Ok – said I, and we reached Kuldhara after driving 20 km distance from Jaisalmer City. We started the journey at 5:30 pm via Mool Sagar and reached Kuldhara at 6 evening hours.

Entry Fee?

Rs. 10 per person and for a vehicle Rs. 50.

Paid and the car entered Kuldhara. Nobody was present except the guard at the entrance gate. Felt like a haunted place as remains of the village or a small town existing. A temple without a priest or an idol, empty lanes, and by-lanes as we continue walking and driving sometimes. A bird flying but static in one place adds more fear. As we roam around, nothing that (fear) sort of was felt. Fear is a state of mind, they say. Mud houses mostly with/without pillars, wooden ceilings, rock stone stairs, artwork on the walls, and a bullock cart present.

As the Sun was setting, and to know more curiosity existed. We after spending about 30 minutes decided to talk with the guard to learn more we proceeded toward the main gate. The guard introduces us to a person who is the son of the guide, and now he joins us. We are heading towards Kuldhara ki Dhani – a very small village nearby to meet Kuldhara’s guide.

How many houses are there at Dhani? – I question.

50-60 houses – said the person.

Quickly, we were at the right place to meet the right person to know more.

Namaskar, Namaskar – an old man arrives.

We are a little late at Kuldhara, otherwise we have met there only – said I.

May I know your name?

Sombar Ram – He replied. Names of the week – sombar, mangalwar, budhwar – said he.

Yes, Yes said I, and I understood what he is saying is Sombar.

Baba, you are very old – what is your age?

paanch ke upar sattar.

75 years. In short, he said 5+70.

Is it possible for you to narrate The History of Kuldhara because I am here from far to know.

Achcha (ok) – He said.

We arrive here with your son – said I.

He is the light of my old eyes – said he.

What is his name?

Prem Ram and he is the younger one – Harji Ram. And now, The History of Kuldhara – He narrates.

Within 80 – 90  km, there were 84 villages existing in those days, or Jaisalmer fort. Paliwal Brahmin lived here. Kuldhara was the largest village among those 84 villages. Patwa Havelies, Salim Singh’s Haveli, you must have visited within Jaisalmer. Salim Singh was the Dewan of the King during those days. Once he visited Kuldhara Village and the temple. There he saw a beautiful girl and expressed his wish to marry her. This wish was not liked by Paliwal Brahmins but they requested him for 10 days time to decide as they will call one senior member from each of the 84 villages to discuss and to take the final decision.

In those days, there were no cars or motorbikes ,thus a young man from the village was sent in a hurry via camel to convey the message to all 84 villages’ eldest person to meet at Kuldhara. A meeting was held. A decision was taken. 84 villages Brahmins abandoned Jaisalmer in one night, leaving whatever they had. It is said they finally settled in Jodhpur, Delhi, and Kolkata wherever they find safety and means to earn.

But the driver of the cab said they settled within Pali Village, a few km away from Jodhpur. – I question.

No, wrong. They came from Pali and settled in Jaisalmer, if not Jaisalmer to Pali. That is why they were known as Paliwal Brahman.

How many of them stayed here in those days? – I question.

2000 men village – he said. There was a river flowing nearby in those days. ‘Kak’ is the name, and is still flowing, but not near the village, but a little far near the mountains.

How old is the story which you narrated just now? I question.

400-year-old story.

Kachche Dhaage, Shakti (starring Sanjay Kapoor, Karishma Kapoor), Janwar, Border – Bollywood movies shooting was held here. I have a scene in the movie Kachche Dhaage – he said, and a smile.

At what time is it open to the public?

8 am

And the closing time?

7 pm

Thank you, said I, for sharing history. Thanks a lot and donations.

The moon was full and gorgeous in the desert. I request for a photograph.

Khabha Fort is 16 km from Kuldhara, I read somewhere. Maybe next tour.

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