River Saraswati and Sasan-Gir Forests

The Gir Forest National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary (also known as Sasan-Gir) is the one and only home of the pure Asiatic Lions (Panthera leo persica). It is around 45 kms from Somnath. Gir Forest measures about 260 km² for the fully protected area (the National Park). The Sanctuary is around 1150 km². It is one of the most important protected areas in Asia due to its supported species. Gir has a weird but wonderful beauty in its severity.

Gir Forest in its full splendour

The ecosystem of Gir has varied flora and fauna. Due to the efforts of the Government forest department, wildlife activists and NGOs it is protected reserve. In fact, the forest area of Gir and its lions have been declared as "protected" as early as the 1900's. At one time, the population had declined to just 25 lions but concerted efforts to save the species have borne fruit. The April 2005 census recorded the lion-count in Gir at 359, an increase of 32 compared to 2001. The lion breeding programme covering the park and surrounding area has bred about 180 lions in captivity since its inception

Rarest of the rare species - let him live in peace

Gir forms the catchments' of seven perennial rivers viz Hiran, Saraswati, Datardi, Shingoda, Macchundri, Ghodavadi and Raval. All these major rivers of Gir have perennial water supply except during severe drought. In order to tap the water resources four dams have been constructed, one each on Hiranya, Machhundri, Raval and Shingoda rivers, including the biggest reservoir in the area, the Kamleshwar Dam, nicknamed 'the lifeline of Gir'.

Unlike humans, these gentle lions do not kill the deer and other cattle for pleasure, jealousy or to demonstrate power! Truly, they are the Kings of the Jungle

In the heart of the Gir Forest 165 Kms. from Junagadh is the scenic spot of Tulsi Shyam with its hot springs, said to originate from River Saraswati. Tulsi Shyam has also a mythological story. Krishna seduces Vrinda, the wife of a demon named Jalandhara. Vrinda sacrifices herself and becomes a sati. She curses Krishna and converts him into a stone, a Shaligram. Krishna had vowed to marry Tulsi. He converts her hair to a Tulsi plant. Hindus still give Tulsi in marriage to a Shaligram. Tulsi Shyam is considered very holy by the Hindus. There are seven hot springs and the temperature varies from 70 to 80 degrees F.

We will protect you and let you live in peace!

Posted by:

Vivek Hattangadi - Ahmedabad

vivekhattangadi@yahoo.co.in

River Saraswati, Prabhas-Patan and Somnath

Somnath has inspired many poets and writers.

Jai! Jai! Garvi Gujarat!
Uttarman Amba maata
Puravaman Kali Maata
Chhe Dakshin Disaman Karant raksha Kunteshwar Mahadev,
Ne Somnath ne Dwarkesh ae Pachcim Kera dev
Chhe Sahayamanb Sakshaat
Jai! Jai! Garvi Gujarat!
Wrote Kavi Narmad, the poet saint of Gujarat.

New Somnath Temple

Somnath Temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlinga’s of Lord Shiva. It is 79 kms. from Junagadh and 450 kms from Ahmedabad.
According to legend, Somnath is as old as creation, built by none other than the Moon God himself, Somaraj hence the name Somnath. Somnath has withstood the shocks of time and survived the attacks of Muslim invaders. The construction of the existing temple was initiated by Sardar Vallabbhai Patel. It now has an arresting Chalukya architecture and is a stunning sight facing the blue vastness of the Sindhu Sagar (Arabian Sea) a part of the Indian Ocean. The spire of the temple is 150 feet high and the flagpole is 27 feet tall and 1 foot in circumference. The Somnath Temple was destroyed five times and built seven times during the last 2000 years; the temple of Somnath has been rightly called the Shrine Etenal

Triveni Sangam (of Saraswati, Hiranya and Kapila) at Prabhas Patan

From the early days Prabhas-Patan, Somnath is a pilgrim place. It is the confluence of mythological Saraswati, Hiranya and Kapila. About 5000 years ago, River Saraswati traversed a distance of over 1600 km., through Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan and Gujarat, to reach Sindhu Sagar at Prabhas-Patan, Somnath. This is emphasized in the Mahabharata and other ancient texts.

Photograph of Somnath in 1869

A river is always holy in Hinduism. And the place where all the three rivers - Hiranya, Kapila and mythical Saraswati - come together and meet Sindhu Sagar, is thirty times more important! The Triveni Teerth at Prabhas-Patan is an important place of pilgrimage,
A short distance from the Somnath temple is Balkha Teerth, where Lord Krishna was struck by the stray arrow of a Bhil tribal. The Mahabharata says that the entire Yadav clan went on a drinking spree near Hiranya River at Prabhas Patan. They drank merrily and destroyed each other. Only two Yadavas and Sri Krishna survived. The Pandavas are reported to have performed penance at Prabhas Patan. It is on account of all these reasons that the Mahabharata and the Puranic literature speak of Prabhas-Patan with great reverence.

Mythology :

Somaraja is the Moon God. Somaraja is the son in-law of Daksha (son of Brahma). Daksha had 27 daughters, who were the 27 Nakshatras, married them to Somaraja. Daksha had asked Somaraja to treat all his daughters alike. Somaraja, however, was giving special treatment to his ‘favorite’, Rohini. Daksha was enraged. He put a curse on Somaraja, saying, "You shall wane into nothingness!" The moon, which used to shine in full splendor every night till then, started to shrink. However, before the curse brought about an absolute end to the moon, the other daughters of Daksha pleaded with him to revoke his curse. Daksha then asked Somaraja to take a bath in the sea at the mouth of the River Saraswati and then to pray to Lord Shiva. The intenseness of the curse was reduced and we now see the periodic waning and waxing of the Moon.
Brahma then asked Somaraja to construct a temple and dedicate it to Shiva at the spot where he had prayed. Hence at Prabhas Patan, Shiva Temple is known as Somnath, the Lord of the Moon. Since Somaraja once again regained his light and brightness at this place it is known as ‘Prabhasa’ meaning light. Somnath is also known by several other names - Deo Patan, Prabhas Patan or Patan Somnath, which it acquired during its long and eventful history.
It is said that Somaraja originally built this temple in gold. Ravana, a passionate bhakta of Lord Shiva built it in silver and later Lord Krishna who ruled Dwarka built it with sandalwood.
The Somnath temple has been destroyed several times, mainly by the barbaric Muslim invaders. It had to be rebuilt several times from scratch. Each time the community of architects who designed and constructed the temple were the Sompura Shilpakar Brahmins. Prabha Shankar Sompura designed the present temple and his descendents are still building temples in India.

ll Yatra gangach, yamunach l
Yatra prachi saraswati l
Yatra someshwarach devah: tatra mamarut kaddhi l
Indrayendo paristrava ll
Posted by: Vivek Hattangadi

vivekhattangadi@yahoo.co.in

River Saraswati and Sidhpur (ShreeSthal)

Sidhpur or ShreeSthal as it was known in the Skanda Puranas is situated on the banks of the Vedic Saraswati. Sidhpur is considered to be the ‘Kashi’ of North Gujarat. Sidhpur has also been described in the Rig Vedas. Sidhpur is also known as ‘ShreeSthal’ or a "pious place" finds a place in the Rig Veda and was then known as Dashu village.
Modern Sidhpur is in Patan district in North Gujarat, India. Sidhpur and neigboring Unjha are now well known for cultivating 'Jeera' and 'Isabgol'.
About the 10th century, under Solanki rulers, the city was at the peak of fame and magnificence. The ruler Siddhraj Jaisingh built his capital at Sidhpur, thus the name Sidhpur which literally means the town of Siddhraj. He built a temple dedicated to Shiva, Rudra Mahalaya. Rudra Mahalaya was a magnificent Shiva Temple with a three-storeyed 'shikhara', 1600 pillars, 12 entrance doors, central 'mandapa' and porches on east, north and south and sanctum in west. Around the temple, there were 11 shrines of Rudra. The eastern gate was adorned with beautifully carved 'Toran', with a flight of steps leading to the Saraswati River.
During the 12th century Mohammed Ghori destroyed the town Sidhpur on his way to Somnath. Around 30,000 people were killed in the raid, and the Solanki Empire was destroyed. Later Ulugh Khan and Ahmed Shah of Ahmedabad ruthlessly destroyed this magnificent Shiva Temple, in the late 13th century or early 14th century and converted the grand temple into a mosque.
The ruins of Rudra Mahalaya in the shape of a column here or a platform there stand as mute witnesses to the insensitivity, cruelty and heartlessness of the Muslim invaders who destroyed this magnificent Shiva temple

The remnants of the once magnificent Rudra Mahalaya destroyed by Muslim invaders

The Puranas regard ShreeSthal as the most sacred spot in the ‘Saraswat-Mandal’ of Gujarat. The Bhagvata Purana associates it with Kardama rishi, (son of Manu) who had his hermitage here, and also with Kapila Muni who was born in this place on the bank of the sacred Saraswati River. It is said that Anahilwad-Patan (Anahillapataka or Anahillapattana), the capital of medieval Gujarat was founded where it is now, because of its closeness and proximity to ShreeSthal.
Sidhpur is the only place in India where matru-shradh is being carried out. At the banks of River Saraswati, thousands of people come here annually to perform the rituals for their mothers who are in heavenly abode. This tradition was started by Bhagwan Parashuram, also known as the protector of the Saraswat Brahmins.
Sidhpur is also known as Matrugaya Koshers. Bhagwan Parashuram, the sixth avatar of Vishnu (Parashu = axe and Ram i.e. axe wielding Shree Ram) had performed ‘Pind dan’ dedicated to his mother Devi Renuka at Sidhpur on the banks of River Saraswati. Now, pilgrims from all over India come to Sidhpur for performing this pooja.

Today, this ritual is performed at Bindu Sarovar. Learned Brahmins who have been educated and trained to perform this special type of pooja are always available in Sidhpur

A Brahmin performing Pooja at Bindu Sarovar

The five most holy and ancient lakes of India renowned for their sacredness are: (1) Manas Sarovar (Tibet) (2) Pushkar Sarovar (Rajasthan) (3) Bindu Sarovar (Gujarat) (4) Narayan Sarovar (Kutch, Gujarat) (5) Pampa Sarovar (Karnataka). The Bindu Sarovar has its special sanctity and glory due to it being the Tapobhumi of Shri Kapil Dev - an incarnation of God and founder of Samkhya philosophy. It was on the banks of the Bindu Sarovar that Kapil Dev preached the essence of attaining Moksha to his mother. Bhagwan Swaminarayan had also sanctified the Bindu Sarovar.
Posted by Vivek Hattangadi

Ahmedabad

vivekhattangadi@yahoo.co.in

Another view of Bindu Sarovar

Nal Sarovar and River Saraswati

Nal Sarovar is the original remnant of River Saraswati flowing from the Himalayas to Gujarat.

Sunrise at Nal Sarovar

Nal Sarovar could be a relic of the River Saraswati which might have flowed through the funnel of the Little Rann of Kutch into Saurashtra. There are about 100 archaeological sites around this Sarovar region. The shortest riverine route between Dholavira, Surkotada and Lothal could have been through a possible ancient river course which existed through the Nal Sarovar.

Flamingos enjoying the hospitality of Gujarat

Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary is a charming tourist attraction which people should not miss while on a pleasure trip to Ahmedabad. Nal Sarovar is 62 km to the West of Ahmedabad, in the state of Gujarat, India. Nal Sarovar is a delightful bird sanctuary. It is principally is a huge lake with a relaxing atmosphere amongst the marshes. It is inhabited by over two lakh migratory birds from Siberia in winters; it is the largest wetland bird sanctuary in Gujarat, and one of the largest in India.

White winged ducks at Nal Sarovar

Nal Sarovar is 18 miles long and 4 miles wide and measuring 75 square miles. The lake is shallow and its depth does not exceed 2 meters any where in the lake. There are around 300 Islands situated in the lake. Panvad is the biggest Island.

Our guests in a playful mood

Nal Sarovar attracts over 250 species of birds in the winter. It harbors a variety of flora and fauna. Thousands of migratory waterfowl flock to this sanctuary just after monsoon. Greater flamingoes migrate here from Kutch every year and one can find tall standing birds like painted and black-necked storks. The shallow area and ponds on the outer reaches of the lake attract the wading birds that feed in the shallow waters. Its migratory bird population, which visit Nal Sarovar between November and February include Rosy Pelicans, Flamingoes, White Storks, Brahmany Ducks and Herons. Ducks, geese, pelicans and flamingos are best seen early in the morning and in the evening. Nal Sarovar probably is a fantasy land for birds! It is estimated that over two lakh migratory birds from Siberia make Nal Sarovar their home every winter

Gulls at Nal Sarovar

Besides a few mammalian species including the endangered wild ass and the blackbucks also reside here.

Our guests in a holiday mood!

The islands within the lake are populated by migrating Bharwad shepherds. On the banks are the Padhars, who are excellent folk dancers, artisans and boatmen. One can hire country boats on the lake for bird viewing, and picnic at shacks the on the islands. It is best to make the trip to Nal Sarovar in your own or private hired vehicle. Eight routes have been fixed where bird watchers can spend one to six hours.

Come again next year - Phudchya Varshi Lavkar Yaa!!!

Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary offers opportunities to visitors to spend some quality time in the lap of Mother Nature. Its beauty and tranquility is surely going to steal your heart.

A boatman at Nal Sarovar

Thank you River Saraswati for your wonderful gift to Gujarat!

Dr. Jagdish Gandhi’s presentation in ‘Divya Bhaskar’, # 1 Gujarati newspaper in Ahmedabad

Dr. Jagdish Gandhi the well known "Saraswatilogist", had made a presentation on River Saraswati before P.P. Sadyojat Shankarashram Swamiji, Mathadipati of Shree Chitrapur Math, Srivalli, N.Kannada District, Karnataka, India. The presentation was at Killa Pardi, South Gujarat.

In May 2008, he made a presentation before the scientists of ndian Space Research Organization (ISRO), Ahmedabad. The report appeared in the "Divya Bhaskar". The English translation and a scanned copy of the original news are presented in this weblog.

Dr. Jagdish Gandhi's report in "Divya Bhaskar", the # 1 Gujarati newspaer in Ahmedabad (English Translation)

The Himdhar glacier in the Himalayan Mountain Range was the source of the Vedic River Saraswati, which has now disappeared. River Saraswati once flowed through Rajasthan, now a desert. This river can now be revived through modern science and technology. The enormous mass of water can now be brought from the Himalayas to arid Kutch. Jagdish Gandhi disclosed this while showing a film “The Lost River Saraswati” at the LD Institute of Indology, Ahmedabad. On this subject, Jagdish Gandhi said, that he has prepared a blueprint to show that the waters of the River Saraswati flowing through the Himalayas can now be brought to Kutch (a desert area) through a system of canals. He said he has presented these blue prints to the Central Government and the Governments of Haryana, Rajasthan and Gujarat. Jagdish Gandhi further said that enough water is available in the Himalayan glaciers to revive River Saraswati. Through his film, he showed that River Saraswati still flows in the Himalayas. River Saraswati now joins the River Yamuna. The waters of River Saraswati can now be diverted to the original Vedic Saraswati River route through canals and water can brought to Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Kutch. Jagdish Gandhi clarified and emphasized that drawing water by digging bore wells and capturing water from the original path of River Saraswati should be avoided at any cost.

Dr. Jagdish Gandhi has provided the Central and State Governments details of the maps on this subject.

Rani-ki-Vav - The Queen's Stepwell

Rani-ki-Vav – Patan

Water has played an important role in the architectural heritage of Western India from the earliest times. It has been historically confirmed that the early Harappan towns (3000 BC) had a highly developed system of drains, wells and tanks.

Rani-ki-Vav is almost 5-6 storeys deep

The vavs or baolis (step-wells) of Gujarat consist of two parts: a vertical shaft from which water is drawn and the surrounding inclined subterranean passageways, chambers and steps which provide access to the well. The galleries and chambers surrounding these wells were often carved profusely with elaborate detail and became cool, quiet retreats during the hot summers.

The ornated walls at Rani-ki-Vav

Step-wells are unique to India and are repositories of architecture. Such step wells are not known anywhere outside the Indian sub-continent. It appears that the vavs were designed to bring the people and Gods together. Vavs were probably attempts to entice Gods to leave their abodes for a cool drink of water - the elixir of life.

Rani-ki-Vav viewed from ground level

of Gujarat under the Solanki kings is the Rani-ki-Vav, the oldest and grandest step well of all the 120 step wells built in Gujarat. It is said that Rani Udaymati played a vital role in its construction, hence known as Rani-ki-Vav (Queens Step Well).The Rani-ki-Vav is on the eastern banks of River Saraswati, at Patan, built somewhere during the eleventh century, during the period of the Solanki reign [The Solankis ruled over Gujarat till 1143].Rani-ki-Vav is probably the most magnificent step-well in Gujarat. Throughout, the ornamentation is splendid. Columns, brackets and beams are covered with scrollwork and the wall niches are carved with figures. Hindu deities on the walls flank the staircase. Its monumental construction and ornate treatment suggest that it also served a ritual ceremonial purpose. Most of the sculpture is in devotion to Vishnu, in the forms of his Avatar as Krishna and Ram, representing their return to the world

Another view of Rani-k-Vav from ground level .

Rani-ki-Vav is almost five to six storeys deep. Builders and masons dug deep trenches into the earth for dependable, year-round groundwater drawn from River Saraswati. There is also a small gate below the last step of the step well which has a 30 kilometer tunnel built (Now it has been blocked by stones and mud) which leads to the town of Sidhpur near Patan. It was to serve as an escape gateway for the royal family in the times of defeat in a war.
To escape the tortuous heat of the summers the royal family rested in the cool pavilions of Rani-ki-Vav – probably the earliest water cooler!

Rani-ki-Vav is rightly described as a Temple for the waters from the River Saraswati.

A Grand View of Rani-ki-Vav

Letter to Editor, Kanara Saraswat

(This letter was published in the December 2007 issue of Kanara Saraswat)
To,
The Editor,
Kanara Saraswat
Mumbai
Dear Editor,
The article, ‘River Saraswati – a Myth or Reality’ by Ms. Yamini Bellare in the October 2007 issue was very interesting and threw light on our origin.
While studying this subject for an event planned in Ahmedabad in connection with the Tercentenary Celebrations, I came across some very interesting information on internet, which I reproduce below:
1. “Saraswati is believed to have originated from the Har-ki-Dun glacier in West Garhwal, flowed parallel to the river Yamuna and later joined it, proceeding south as the Vedic Saraswati. The perennial rivers Sutlej and Yamuna were once the tributaries of the Saraswati. It is believed that subsequently some tectonic movements may have forced the Sutlej and Yamuna to change course and hence Saraswati dried up in a period spread over a few hundred years possibly between 2000 and 1500 BC.” (1)
2. “The Indus-Saraswati Valley civilization is now found to be a collection of nearly 2,500 settlements of various periods along the Saraswati and other rivers, some of which date earlier than 6000 B.C.” – Rithvik S. Vinekar (2)
3. “Education was of great importance to the Saraswats and so they taught their young the Sanskrit and enlightened themselves from the Rig Veda. Although they spoke Sanskrit in public, they innovated a simplified version of Sanskrit called Brahmani which they spoke only at home. This language was the grass-root for the present day Konkani language”.(3)
4. “V.N. Misra, director of the Department of Archaeology in the Deccan College, Pune, recently concluded that the Ghaggar-Hakra River was the Vedic Sarasvati and existed when the Indus civilization flourished. Misra is now among the growing band of archaeologists demanding that the Indus Valley Civilization be renamed the Saraswati Valley Civilization”. (4)
It is also believed there was once a “Saraswat Desh” - the land between the rivers Saraswati and Drishadwati (near the present day Kurukshetra).

Thanks a lot Ms. Yamini for this enlightening article.
Vivek Hattangadi
Ahmedabad
10th October 2007
References:
1. (http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/fr/2002/04/05/stories/2002040501110600.htm)
2. (http://images.google.co.in/imgres?imgurl=http://www.theosociety.org)
3. http://www.gsbkonkani.net/OurHistory.htm
4. (http://www.india-today.com/itoday/26011998/indus.html)

River Saraswati and its Relations with Gujarat

River Saraswati and its Gujarat-Connections
Vivek Hattangadi, Ahmedabad

II Rudravarte Kurukshetre Pushkare ShriSthale tatha
Prabhase Panchame Teerthe Panch Prachi Saraswati II

This verse is from the Rig-Veda. It means one ‘swaroop’ of Saraswati is Rudravarta; the second is Kurukshetra, the third Pushkar, the fourth Siddhakshetra (ShreeSthal, Sidhpur) and the fifth Prabhas (Somnath) (1).
The discovery of the course of Vedic River Saraswati traversing a distance of 1,600 kilometers from the Himalyas to Gujarat is an unparalleled discovery in the history of human civilization. Carrying the waters of River Sutlej and River Yamuna, the mighty river had drained most of North-west India for thousands of years prior to 3500 BC.
Today it is believed that the River Saraswati flows underground as detected by the remote sensing satellites. The river can also be seen in parts near the Lake Pushkar in Rajasthan, Sidhpur in Northern Gujarat and Somnath in Saurashtra, Gujarat.(2)
Gujarat and River Saraswati are inseparable.
Sidhpur in North Gujarat is an historical place. It is located on the banks of the Vedic River Saraswati. It is a taluka of Mehsana district in North Gujarat.
Sidhpur derives its name from the great ruler of Gujarat, Siddhraj Jaisingh, who constructed a magnificent Shiva Temple in 12th Century AD, Rudra Mahalaya, at this town. The entire townscape of Sidhpur is dotted with temples, kunds, ashrams and sacred buildings along the banks of the Saraswati River.

In ancient times, two significant aspects - the natural features of the Saraswati River and the man-made feature of the Rudra Mahalaya - influenced the urban structures of Sidhpur.
Sidhpur has many places to see,
Rudra Mahalaya: It is an old Shiva temple built by Siddhraj Jaisingh in 10th century A.D. Today it is mostly in ruins. The structure is said to have had 1,600 pillars with 12 grand entrance doors, spread over half of the present day Sidhpur and six storeys high.
Bindu-Sarovar: It is a small artificial tank, even mentioned in Rig-Veda and considered pious by Hindus.
Saraswati bank: Sidhpur is the only place in India where matru-shradh is being carried out. Thousands of people come here annually to perform the rituals for their mothers who are not on earth. This tradition was started by Bhagwan Parashuram, also known as the protector of the Saraswat Brahmins.
About 25 km away from Sidhpur is Patan (Anahilwad-Patan). Patan was the ancient capital of Gujarat and is situated on the banks of River Saraswati. Rani-ki-Vav (The Queens Step Well), on the eastern banks of River Saraswati was built by the Solanki kings who ruled Gujarat during that period. Rani-ki-Vav was constructed about a thousand years back somewhere in 1050 AD. Sculptures of deities and other images adorn the walls flanking the steps. (3) Rani-ki-Vav is a magnificent contribution to architecture. In essence, Rani-ki-Vav is a storage tank developed for irrigation purposes. The waters could be reached by descending an array of steps. Rani-ki-Vav also served as a resting place for the royals to escape the tortuous summers. Rani-ki-Vav is connected to Sidhpur through a 25 km long tunnel and was to serve as an escape route for the royal family in case they were defeated in a war.
Rani-ki-Vav was buried for centuries and suffered damage in past due to neglect and flood of the River Saraswati. After independence, the Rani-ki-Vav came into the custody of archaeological survey of India as protected monument of national importance. Till 1960's nobody knew that there existed the most ornate and highly sculptured vav. At this time, the vav was completely filled up except the top most portion of the well.
The Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary near Ahmedabad is one of the premier attractions of the diverse wildlife in Gujarat. Nal Sarovar is a natural lake, spread across a sprawling area of over 116 sq. km. It is 62 km from Ahmedabad and is famous for housing vivid migrating birds from Siberia. One estimate is that over two lakh migratory birds from Siberia visit this place every year.
Flocks of flamingos, a great variety of ducks, geese and pelican are some of the major attractions of the place. This water bird sanctuary is like a fairyland for birds here.
Nal Sarovar could be a relic of the River Saraswati. There are about a 100 archaeological sites around this Sarovar region. The discovery of over 500 archaeological sites along the coastline of Gujarat, south of Dholavira, the existence of Nal Sarovar which links up Little Rann of Kutch with Gulf of Khambat (Cambay) during monsoon periods when the Nal Sarovar expands, point to the possibility that River Saraswati had coursed beyond Rann of Kutch into Saurashtra through Nal Sarovar, Lothal, Padri, Rangapura and up to Prabhas Patan (Somnath). It is also likely that the ancient courses of Rivers Narmada and Tapti had also coursed through the present day Saurashtra which has uplifted regions caused by recurrent plate tectonic events.(4)
Prabhas Patan (Somnath) is a small town on the south-western coast of Gujarat. It is four kilometers - from Veraval railway station and 93 kilometers from Junagadh. This is a place of pilgrimage of the popular Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva, i.e., Somnath.
The literal meaning of Somnath is Lord of the Moon. According to Puranas, Shiva has made Prabhas Patan his abode since the beginning of the creation and will continue to abide here for ever. Prabhas Patan has also a number of places associated with Sri Krishna. One of them is Balka Tirth and the other is Dehotsarga. Sri Krishna is said to have been mortally wounded by the arrow of a hunter while reclining under a tree in Balka Tirth. His body was cremated at Dehotsarga, which is the place where three rivers — Saraswati, Kapila and Hiranya — unite to form a Triveni before joining the sea.
According to Hindu mythology, Balram, the elder brother of Sri Krishna, was an incarnation of Seshnag. There is a cave near Prabhas Patan called Balram Guha. It is believed that Balram passed to the netherworld (patal) through this cave. (5)
Veda Vyasa who wrote the Mahabharata observed the sky inscriptions from the banks of River Saraswati. “The epic describes a pilgrimage of Balram from Dwarka-Somnath (Prabhas Patan) to Mathura along the banks of River Saraswati in 200 shlokas in the S'alya Parvan. In the epic, Veda Vyasa himself says that day in and day out he is watching the planetary positions on the skies. His recording of over 70 such planetary events are almost like a record of celestial inscriptions within the text. These celestial events are used to date the events which occurred on the banks of River Saraswati - events which are described in the epic poem. Since the planets on the sky and the celestial events are remarkably accurate and follow a precise pattern of cyclical movements, to a rhythm of time, the determination of planetary positions as observed by Veda Vyasa will help determine the date of events described in detail in the shlokas of Mahabharata”.(6)
The Gir Forest National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary (also known as Sasan-Gir) is the sole home of the pure Asiatic Lions. The fully protected National Park measures about 258 km² and the Sanctuary is 1153 km². The seven major perennial rivers of the Gir region are Hiran, Saraswati, Datardi, Shingoda, Machhundri, Ghodavari and Raval. The four reservoirs of the area are at four dams, one each on Hiran, Machhundri, Raval and Shingoda rivers, including the biggest reservoir in the area, the Kamleshwar Dam, dubbed 'the lifeline of Gir'.
Rishi Gritsamada calls River Saraswati “Ambitame, naditame, devitame Saraswati”: i.e. best of mothers, best of rivers and best of goddesses.
Can River Saraswati be revived? Dr. Jagdish Gandhi (who had made a presentation before P.P. Swamiji in March 2008 at Killa Pardi) told a gathering of scientists from Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) at Ahmedabad, that he has prepared a blueprint to show that the waters of the River Saraswati flowing through the Himalayas can now be brought to Kutch (a desert area) through a system of canals. He said he has presented these blue prints to the Central Government and the Governments of Haryana, Rajasthan and Gujarat. Dr. Jagdish Gandhi further said that enough water is available in the Himalayan glaciers to revive River Saraswati. Through his film, he showed that River Saraswati still flows in the Himalayas. River Saraswati now joins the River Yamuna. The waters of River Saraswati can now be diverted along the original Vedic Saraswati River route through canals and water can brought to Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Rann of Kutch. Jagdish Gandhi clarified and emphasized that drawing water through bore wells and capturing water from the original path of River Saraswati should be avoided at any cost. Dr. Jagdish Gandhi has provided the Central and State Governments details of the maps on this subject.(7)

II Ambitame, naditame, devitame Saraswati II

Bibliography
1. Babubhai Panchal: ShreeSthal Saraswati Mahima,

2. http://www.gsbkonkani.net
3. UNESCO World Heritage Center, Updated 11th June 2008
4. River Saraswati: Bharatiya civilization; Dr. S. Kalyanaraman Babasaheb (Umakanta Keshav) Apte Smarak Samiti, Bangalore 2004
5. GP Nagar http://www.lym.org.za/somnath.htm
6. Dr. S. Kalyanaraman: in Saraswati nadi shodh prakalp - Akhil bharatiya itihaasa sankalana yojana
7. Report from “Divya Bhaskar” , 22nd April 2008, Ahmedabad Edition
Posted by

Vivek Hattangadi- Ahmedabad

vivekhattangadi@yahoo.co,in