Holy Narayan Sarovar in Kutch stinks

Thousands of devotees who had turned up on 'Chaitri poonam' at Narayan Sarovar last week for the special ritual of offering water to their ancestors, called 'pitru tarpan', were an angry lot over the condition of the sarovar. 

Narayan sarovar, about 150 km from Bhuj, on the western tip of the country,  is said to be one of the five holiest sarovars in the country, without visiting which no Hindu pilgrimage is believed to be complete.

According to legends, the sarovar was dug by the sages who meditated  (tapasya) here. The sarovar also finds mention in the tenth scandh (chapter) of the holy Hindu scripture, Bhagvat. The sarovar is said to have had a stream of the Indus river, originating from the Himalayas, before a major quake more than a century ago.

There is also a famous temple of Lord Trivikaramji, who is said to be the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, on the bank of the sarovar. This is a replica of the temple at Dwarka. In the past, chief minister Narendra Modi and senior BJP leader LK Advani have visited this place.  

"The ritual is performed with a dip in holy water of the sarovar. However, with poor rainfall during the last two monsoons, the sarovar has turned filthy. One cannot bear its stench, leave alone taking bath in it and offering its water to one's ancestors," Vishwanath Joshi, a social worker told DNA.

Kutchi writer and winner of Kutchi Sahitya Academy award, Madhav Joshi Ashq, regretted that despite instructions from the state home minister, Amit Shah, who visited the sarovar with his family two months ago, the pond had not been cleaned.

Vithalbhai Joshi, an old priest, said that the sarovar was in a bad shape and its steps also needed urgent repair. He said the Narayan Sarovar endowment president, Anandlalji Maharaj, had held a special meeting with revenue officials for cleaning of the sarovar and repair of steps from the funds allocated for development of this famous place. Though it was decided to undertake work on a war footing, nothing had been done. He said the fisheries department was given the work of cleaning the lake, but it worsened the condition of the lake by sprinkling some chemical.

"After the spraying of chemical, pond water has become more filthy," he said.

Hasam Bhadal, sarpanch of Narayan Sarovar village, said that villagers were contemplating cleaning the sarovar on their own. When contacted, Lakhapat mamlatdar SK Vankar said they were seized of the matter and would take up cleaning work after election.

"I cannot say anything more than this now," he said.