Naga sadhus take up green cause
KOLKATA: Ritual bathing, mantras, puja — then placards and perhaps, an agitation. Naga sadhus will highlight the disastrous results of global
warming and climate change during the Purna Kumbh Mela being organised at Hardwar this year.
During their famous julus (parade) upto the banks of the Ganga for the Shahi Snan, the sadhus will hold up banners and placards urging people to plant trees, stop global warming and prevent glacial melt.
This was announced by Soham Baba, Mahamandalesvara of the Juna Akhara, in Kolkata on Monday. Soham Baba — who hails from Bengal — is considered the chief-in-command of the Naga Sadhus and is the chief organiser of this year's Purna Kumbh Mela.
"Sadhus like us who go up to the higher reaches of the Himalayas to meditate have a clear picture of how bad the situation is. Pristine lakes and waterfalls that existed till a few years ago have dried up. It is a known fact that the Gangotri glacier is receding at an alarming rate. Before long, the Badrinath Temple will become inaccessible. Sadhus are among the worst sufferers. If those in charge fail to take notice, we shall be forced to start an agitation," Soham Baba said.
He had visited Aila-affected areas in the Sunderbans to distribute relief and pointed to how the mangrove forests were being affected. The Juna Akhara will set up two stalls at the Kumbh Mela this year. One of these will raise awareness on climate-related issues while the other one will reveal how Cyclone Aila ravaged parts of Bengal. Some Aila survivors will also be taken to Hardwar to narrate their experiences.
"The Kumbh Mela will be the appropriate place to protest. We shall meet heads of governments later and urge them to take necessary steps. In November, I held talks with UN officials and they were pleased. Some of them will visit me later. Unfortunately, we have noticed a lack of intent among leaders and others in charge to prevent climate change. September onwards, we have plans to start a detailed study on how much damage has been caused in the Himalayas," the sadhu said.
Soham Baba claimed that he uses seven caves for his meditation. Five of these are on glaciers and he has reportedly seen how the glaciers are melting. "The ice in places has got so thin that sadhus run a risk of falling through. In places, we have seen grass. We were the first to point this out but nobody took notice. I shall also meet the Dalai Lama during the Kumbh and take up this matter with him," he said.
Naga sadhus take up green cause - Kolkata - City - The Times of India
During their famous julus (parade) upto the banks of the Ganga for the Shahi Snan, the sadhus will hold up banners and placards urging people to plant trees, stop global warming and prevent glacial melt.
This was announced by Soham Baba, Mahamandalesvara of the Juna Akhara, in Kolkata on Monday. Soham Baba — who hails from Bengal — is considered the chief-in-command of the Naga Sadhus and is the chief organiser of this year's Purna Kumbh Mela.
"Sadhus like us who go up to the higher reaches of the Himalayas to meditate have a clear picture of how bad the situation is. Pristine lakes and waterfalls that existed till a few years ago have dried up. It is a known fact that the Gangotri glacier is receding at an alarming rate. Before long, the Badrinath Temple will become inaccessible. Sadhus are among the worst sufferers. If those in charge fail to take notice, we shall be forced to start an agitation," Soham Baba said.
He had visited Aila-affected areas in the Sunderbans to distribute relief and pointed to how the mangrove forests were being affected. The Juna Akhara will set up two stalls at the Kumbh Mela this year. One of these will raise awareness on climate-related issues while the other one will reveal how Cyclone Aila ravaged parts of Bengal. Some Aila survivors will also be taken to Hardwar to narrate their experiences.
"The Kumbh Mela will be the appropriate place to protest. We shall meet heads of governments later and urge them to take necessary steps. In November, I held talks with UN officials and they were pleased. Some of them will visit me later. Unfortunately, we have noticed a lack of intent among leaders and others in charge to prevent climate change. September onwards, we have plans to start a detailed study on how much damage has been caused in the Himalayas," the sadhu said.
Soham Baba claimed that he uses seven caves for his meditation. Five of these are on glaciers and he has reportedly seen how the glaciers are melting. "The ice in places has got so thin that sadhus run a risk of falling through. In places, we have seen grass. We were the first to point this out but nobody took notice. I shall also meet the Dalai Lama during the Kumbh and take up this matter with him," he said.
Naga sadhus take up green cause - Kolkata - City - The Times of India
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