A visit to the Bishnoi Sect....
Jodhpur is like any other Rajasthan town with its step wells and Sandy terrain, historic forts and hospitable people, veritable bazaars and vibrant life. But if you have a traveller's eye, it won't be hard to find its unique character throbbing in myriad of ways.
As I arrived at the railway station of the Blue City in a wintry morning at the break of dawn, what had me in the grip of thoughts was the mesmerising art work.
The beautiful portrait of a climbing lady on the stairs to the over-bridge connecting various platforms was a unique, to say the least. Rajasthan has truly got something that attracts so much and never allows the visitors to leave. The huge and intricate Rajasthani paintings on the walls the station, people with Rajput moustaches wearing turban and serving tea in the early morning, the neat and clean of the station serve you the real cultural taste of the desert state as it offered you a warm welcome.
There is no doubt that Rajasthan is an all that favourite tourist destination because of its unique cultural and rich heritage. To taste this cultural flavour a drive to Bishnoi Village in Jodhpur is must. "Bishnoi Village" is a titchy hamlet tucked in the rural environs, and located at around 40 km from Jodhpur. The villagers are the true worshippers of nature. In Bishnoi Village, one gets more than a glimpse of amazing cultural life of Marwar - the original community of Rajasthan.
Bishnoi Village:
Like most names have a myth or some hidden facts behind them, the Bishnoi village has its own share of intriguing tales behind it. Long ago, in 1451, there came the term 'Bishnoi' to save the mother earth. As we all know that in our early ages the Kings and Zamindars were very fond of hunting which was also a kind of their status symbol. People started feeling the loss of their wildlife and there arouse a group of members pioneered by Guru Jambheshwar commonly known as Jambhore Babu, aimed to save the nature and wildlife. Unlike Chipko Movement, Bishnoi is a sect, customs and rules under which cutting of trees and destroying wildlife were completely banned. There is a serious and a deep meaning after the name "Bishnoi" where "Bish" means, bees (twenty) and "noi" means "nau"(nine), therefore when "bees" is added to "nau" it becomes "untis"( twenty nine). So there were twenty nine rules to be followed by the villagers under this sect.
Bishnoi are the people who have affection, harmony and respect not only for human beings but also for Mother Nature, wild animals and trees. The villagers are well-known for their eco-friendly attitude and their efforts in preserving the flora and fauna of Rajasthan.
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