Faith first: Nepal seers refuse to quit damaged ashram

The devastating earthquake has failed to shake the faith in God of some Nepal seers, who are determined to stay on despite deep and ominous cracks in their ashram here.

Showing their complete faith in "God's will", the dozen-odd aged saints have refused to move out of the Harihar Ashram here even though the building that houses them has developed cracks in its foundations and walls following the April 25 temblor. Devghat is about 250 km from capital Kathmandu.

The authorities, and even their own structural engineers, have advised them about the perils of living in such buildings. But, the seers say, they are "wedded to life and death in this very place".

"We relinquished the worldly life many decades back. Fear of death or harm does not shake us anymore," a 95-year-old seer who refused to give his name told IANS.

Inshwaranand Saraswati, a middle-aged woman in saffron clothes, rued that the building has become an unsafe place for the youngsters and students who study nearby.

"A lot of people used to come here early for puja and other Sanatan dharm-karm, but now the footfall is less...we can understand. Unlike us, everyone is afraid of death and harm to life," she said while showing this IANS correspondent the deep cracks the 'bhojan kaksh' (Mess) has developed.

The huge hall, which on normal days, accommodated over 400 people for community food is now locked out.

With cracks on the mosaic flooring, walls and even the ceiling, engineers say the building should be out of bounds.

The seers say they will not leave the ashram premises at "any cost".

The two-storeyed temple, housing separate temples -- Ram Darbaar, Shiv-Parvati and Vishnu-Laxmi -- bears a deserted look.

The young priests have gone home. The sanctum sanctorum is locked as it is very fragile and people have been advised not to go there.

It is these old men and women who are conducting daily rituals like 'snan' (bathing), 'shringaar' (decoration), bhog (offerings) and 'aarti' of the deities.

Dhaneshwaranand, another seer overseeing the religious rituals and administrative affairs, told IANS that after a stock-taking by senior 'gurus', some settled in Kashi (Varanasi) and Haridwar, decisions would be taken on when to the raze the building and how to proceed to make new premises.

"It is an unphill task that would require not only a lot of internal courage and spiritual focus, the monetary concerns" would have to be taken into account he added.

Since there are no workers around, even the 'gaushala' (cowshed) is being looked after by these men and women with the help of some gurukul students living nearby.

A biogas plant at their premises provides power power at night.

"We are very hopeful and confident that things would look up for the entire 'sansara' (world) soon," said another 75-year-plus sage before he excuses himself and heads for the evening aarti.

(Mohit Dubey can be contacted at mohit.d@ians.in)