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Shri Ashtapad Maha Tirth - II
Notes and Observations
I was invited to present this paper and related photographs - slides, at International Seminar on 'Pilgrimage and Complexity' organized by Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts - New Delhi, during January, 1999 My submission of this work to the Archaeological Survey of India, New Delhi in the year 1999, is not yet endorsed or rejected. Geologists opined my 'submission' as my optical illusion and termed my findings as natural formations and not human work. Recently, a scientist from ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation studied satellite images of Tibetan Himalayan Range and opined there is a possibility of human work done in Kailash region. A researcher in Chile was studying on mountain series in a Chilean province, He found them as Man-made chain of pyramids and not natural mountain formations, which was only recently endorsed by the Chilean Archaeological Department after detailed surveys and studies. Discovery channel disclosed this on its programme “TERRAX” on 04-01-2005. En-route to Kailash we have seen native houses doors with Swastik, Siddhashtla, Astmangal signs which are common Jain symbols. During my fourth yatra in year 2006, our team members Dr. Kirit Gosalia (of USA) took a photograph of main deity at Nyari Gompa. The deity is in Padmasan, fully clad and decorated with jewellery, only face and forehead being visible. We saw a probability of this deity being a Jain idol, so we tried to have a glimpse without clad, but this was not allowed inspite of our best efforts. During my fifth yatra in year 2007, our team member Dr. Alok Tripathi (Supdt. Marine Archaeological Survey of India, Delhi) opined that the above mentioned photograph is most probably of a Jain Tirthankar. I have heard a priest chanting ‘Arham' (this word is connected to Lord Rushabhdev) in his prayers in front of a deity at Nyari / Chugu Gompa. Also I have seen natives bowing in 'Khamasamana' manner in front of the deity in the above said Gompa. Most of the images I have mentioned (page-4 last para, page-5, 1st para) are opined as
natural formations by our Ashtapad Research Team members (my 4th & 5th yatras). Points of View
Four Ex US President's heads are crafted on top of Mount Rushmore in Colorado, some 70 years ago. US Govt. takes proper care of this human work fearing climatic decay. Now let us imagine the fate of this great human work some 1000/2000 years later. We may face large scale damage-decay to these open-to-sky creations due to erosion with time and climate. It may go beyond recognition, but people in future will admit it as human work, because of literary proof and evidences.
Shree Ashtapad - a possibility
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