Kedarnath: 32 Days Before Devastation

By Tapan Mukherjee

This book may be considered as a book of records, showing the glorious past of one of the holiest shrines of the Hindus Kedarnath. While filming the ceremonial events at Kedarnath, I had never dreamt of such massive destruction that was about to take place there just after thirty-two days.

The temple surroundings, shops, roads, property and thousands of lives were destroyed by the horrifying rage of nature. It wont be incorrect to say that this book has now become a historical evidence of the beautiful Kedarnath.

During my recent visit to Kedarnath on 5th October-2013, I sincerely appreciated the endeavors of the state government of Uttarakhand and Shri Badrinath Shri Kedarnath Temple Committee for restoring the traditional rituals and allowing the pilgrims to visit the Shrine.

It is also true that the past glory of Kedarnath that you may find in this book is no more present and there is hardly any chance of it being seen again as before.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Partridge Publishing India
• Release date: Oct 28, 2013
• ISBN: 9781482812268

Tapan Mukherjee

As regular routine I kept writing my diary during my film shoot in the Uttarakhand, I recorded ceremonies of at the holiest temples just 32 days before the devastation. The holy places like –Kedarnath, suffered from massive destruction, numerous pilgrims died on 16th and 17th June-2013. It is not possible to reopen the shrine in coming 5 years or so. A book with the pictures taken by me 4 weeks ago will be invaluable because no one was allowed to do it before. My forefathers lived Rajasthan and since 1992 I have been living in Delhi and Mumbai. My films and conservation works were acknowledged and awarded by Government and world known NGOs. My films are mostly based on archaeological discoveries, wildlife and conservation. I would like to add that when I was shooting in the Uttarkhand from 8th May-2013 to 17th May-2013, my mother who was suffering from cancer, was in ICU, she at that time kept sending me messages to continue the shoot without any break. I am proud to be the son of such a bold parents. My 12 years old daughter ‘Mirambika’ is a great source of encouragement. She helps me at every phase of my life within her best caliber and capability. I also feel that it was the desire of the Almighty otherwise why I just few weeks ago I got the opportunity to shoot with four HD cameras. We completed the shoot in extreme weather conditions. I feel now people of world will enjoy the book because for few years the holiest Shrine Kedarnath will remain closed for an unknown period.

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Copyright © 2013 Tapan Mukherjee. All rights reserved.

ISBN

978-1-4828-1227-5 (sc)

978-1-4828-1226-8 (e)

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

To order additional copies of this book, contact

Partridge India

000 800 10062 62

www.partridgepublishing.com/india

[e-mail]

12/12/2013

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KEDARNATH

32 DAYS BEFORE DEVASTATION

TAPAN MUKHERJEE

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

INTRODUCTION

RISHIKESH

RAJAJI NATIONAL PARK

DEVPRAYAG

UKHIMATH

TUNGNATH

GUPTKASHI

TRIYUGI NARAYAN

PHATA AND GAURIKUND

KEDARNATH BEFORE DEVASTATION

KEDARNATH AFTER DEVASTATION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I dedicate this book to my parents. My father is a cardiac patient and my mother has been struggling with throat cancer. They always extend their unconditional support to me. I feel proud to be their son.

My wife, Gandharvi, has always extended a helping hand to me. I acknowledge her support in every phase of my life.

My twelve-year-old daughter, Mirambika, devoted much of her time in rendering her help and supported me in writing this book.

My sweet twin sister Jaya Sharma (Jhon) certainly deserves tons of thanks for standing by my side since my childhood.

I am extremely thankful to my team of Ascend Films for being with me during the shoot in extreme climates, without proper food and rest.

I sincerely thank the Shri Badrinath-Shri Kedarnath Temple Committee for extending it’s support and acknowledging my work and efforts.

INTRODUCTION

I express my gratitude to Shri Badrinath-Shri Kedarnath Temple Committee for giving me an opportunity to capture in my camera the holy shrines of Kedarnath, Badrinath, and other satellite temples. The Temple Committee was kind enough to let me shoot and photograph the shrines. On seeing my work, the chairman, the CEO, and other governing members of the Temple Committee entrusted me with the task of making a short film in the month of March 2013. The main objective of making this film was to create awareness and garner global support for the restoration of the temples. After completion of the film, it was uploaded on a social website. The Temple Committee then allowed me to shoot the auspicious door-opening ceremony of the Kedarnath and Badrinath shrines.

I commenced my shoot with HDV