The Stillness of Kedarnath | Doors to Kedarnath | National Geographic

National Geographic India

6 Jul 202308:07

Summary

TLDRThe video script discusses the significance and engineering marvel of the Kedarnath Temple in India. The temple is located in a unique and unstable terrain, yet it has withstood the test of time and various challenges, including a major flood in 2013. The location was chosen for its stability and the quality of the land, which was carefully evaluated before construction. Despite being surrounded by glaciers and situated between a gorge, the temple has been protected from natural disasters due to its strategic positioning. The temple's foundation was found to be undamaged even after the 2013 flood, thanks to the efforts of experts and engineers. The video also highlights the challenges faced during the reconstruction process, including the need for geological surveys and the diversion of rivers to ensure the temple's safety. The script concludes with the efforts of pilgrims and workers to ensure the smooth running of the pilgrimage season, showcasing the resilience and dedication of those involved.

Takeaways

🏞️ The Kedarnath temple is located in an unstable valley, yet it stands as a stable structure, indicating the strategic choice of location and engineering excellence.
📚 Dr. Rakesh Bhatt, a professor of ancient Indian history and archaeology, has conducted an in-depth study of the temple, emphasizing the importance of the land selection.
⛰ The temple has faced and overcome numerous challenges over the centuries, demonstrating its resilience and the wisdom behind its construction.
🏔 The temple is situated amidst glaciers and a valley, showcasing the builders' foresight in distancing it from the mountains to protect it from potential avalanches.
🔍 A GPS survey (Ground Penetrating Radar survey) revealed that the foundation of the Kedarnath temple has not been damaged at all, highlighting the precision of its engineering.
🏗️ Restoration work on the temple was completed in October 2018, after it was damaged during the 2013 floods, showcasing the dedication and skills of the restoration team.
🚧 The Mandakini and Saraswati rivers were merged for safety reasons, and an engineering survey recommended building a dam to control the flow, which was successfully implemented.
🔧 The team employed a three-part safety system involving river diversion, which included the use of wire crates and a wall to divert the rivers, ensuring the protection of the temple.
🏞️ The Kedarnath region, despite being in a challenging environment, attracts thousands of pilgrims each year, who come to witness the opening of the temple.
🛠️ The construction and maintenance of the pilgrimage route are carried out manually by the locals, who bring necessary materials and set up facilities to ensure a smooth journey for the pilgrims.
⏱️ The team faces a challenging timeline of 15 days to complete their work before the pilgrims arrive, requiring meticulous planning and execution.

Q & A

What is the significance of the term 'Kedarnath'?
-Kedarnath refers to a place with unstable, loose soil. The Kedarnath temple is believed to be built on the most stable ground in this unstable valley.
Who is Dr. Rakesh Bhatt and what is his expertise?
-Dr. Rakesh Bhatt is a professor of ancient Indian history and archaeology. He is highly regarded in the study of the Higher and Trans-Himalayan regions and has conducted an in-depth study of the Kedarnath temple.
Why is the location of Kedarnath considered unique?
-The location of Kedarnath is unique due to the importance of the earth selection. It is certain that the builders evaluated the quality of the land and chose the site for the temple, which has withstood many challenges over the centuries.
How did the Kedarnath temple manage to avoid damage during the 2013 floods?
-The temple's height and its location on a middle moraine above a valley protected it from the heavy damage that could have been caused by the floodwaters. Later, a GPS survey confirmed that the temple's foundation was not damaged at all.
What measures were taken to ensure the safety of the Kedarnath temple during the 2013 floods?
-A safety system was established to create a first ring of security against the floodwaters on the land. A wire mesh barrage was also constructed to prevent the floodwaters from reaching the temple.
What was the role of Manoj Semwal in the reconstruction efforts after the 2013 floods?
-Manoj Semwal was a significant member of the team responsible for accomplishing the reconstruction work. His team undertook river diversion, which involved channelizing the river with the help of wire crates and a wall.
How many days are considered challenging for the team to complete the preparations for the temple opening?
-The team faces a challenging period of 15 days to complete the preparations. If the weather remains favorable during these days, they can accomplish the task.
What is the estimated number of pilgrims expected on the first day of the temple opening?
-On the first day, it is expected that there will be at least 10,000 to 15,000 pilgrims arriving at the temple.
What are the challenges faced by the team in preparing for the influx of pilgrims?
-The team faces challenges in ensuring that the temple premises are clean and prepared for the pilgrims. They also need to make arrangements for a large number of pilgrims, which includes setting up a warm room for medical relief.
What is the total manpower power available for the reconstruction and preparation work?
-The total manpower power available for the work is estimated to be between 300, including laborers, officials, and junior engineers from various departments.
How does the team manage the annual challenge of preparing for the pilgrimage season considering the snow cover?
-The team has to start anew each pilgrimage season due to the snow cover that obscures everything from the previous year. They work for about 2400 hours to prepare for the large number of pilgrims expected.

Outlines

00:00

🏞️ Stability and Engineering of Kedarnath Temple

The first paragraph discusses the Kedarnath Temple, which is situated in an unstable terrain, yet it stands as a symbol of stability. The temple is a marvel of ancient Indian architecture and engineering, built on a location that was carefully chosen for its geological strength. The location's selection was crucial, as it had to support the massive structure for over a thousand years. The temple has faced numerous challenges over the centuries but has stood strong. The choice of location was made with foresight, keeping in mind potential natural disasters like landslides, which the temple has managed to avoid thanks to its elevated position on a moraine. A GPS survey conducted in 2013 confirmed that the temple's foundation remains undamaged. The paragraph also mentions the efforts made to restore and reinforce the temple after the 2013 floods, highlighting the expertise and dedication of those involved in the preservation efforts.

05:02

🚨 Challenges and Preparations for Kedarnath Pilgrimage

The second paragraph focuses on the challenges and preparations for the Kedarnath pilgrimage, which attracts thousands of devotees from across India. The pilgrimage is a test of endurance and is made smoother by the efforts of the people who take on the responsibility of organizing it. The temple, still covered in snow, presents difficulties that the organizers are committed to overcoming. The paragraph outlines the infrastructure put in place, including a medical relief post and warm rooms for pilgrims. It also discusses the logistical challenges, such as the need for road inspection and reinforcement, and the collective effort of various departments and workers to ensure the pilgrimage's success. The organizers are prepared for a large influx of pilgrims and are working tirelessly to ensure that the pilgrimage runs smoothly, despite the harsh weather conditions and the annual need to start from scratch due to the snow.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Kedarnath

Kedarnath refers to a town located in the Indian state of Uttarakhand and is a significant Hindu pilgrimage site. The term is central to the video's theme as it discusses the temple's location, its historical importance, and the challenges it faces due to natural disasters. The script mentions the Kedarnath temple's unique location and its significance in Hinduism.

💡Unstable Terrain

Unstable terrain refers to the ground that is not firm or solid, which can pose challenges for construction and stability. In the context of the video, the Kedarnath temple is built on such unstable terrain, yet it has remained stable over time, showcasing the engineering prowess behind its construction.

💡Prof. Rakesh Bhatt

Prof. Rakesh Bhatt is a professor of ancient Indian history and archaeology, who has conducted in-depth studies on the Kedarnath temple. His expertise and research are pivotal to the video's narrative as it discusses the temple's historical and architectural significance.

💡Location Selection

Location selection is the process of choosing a suitable place for a construction project. The video emphasizes the intelligence behind choosing the location for the Kedarnath temple, which is not only stable amidst an unstable terrain but also aesthetically pleasing for visitors.

💡Glaciers

Glaciers are large, persistent bodies of ice that move over land. The script mentions the presence of glaciers behind the Kedarnath temple, which adds to the natural beauty of the site and also implies the challenges of the cold and changing climate in the region.

💡Engineering Marvel

An engineering marvel refers to a construction or structure that demonstrates exceptional skill and innovation in engineering. The Kedarnath temple is described as an example of an engineering marvel due to its ability to withstand the test of time and natural calamities.

💡2013 Flood

The 2013 flood refers to a catastrophic flood event that occurred in Uttarakhand, India. The video discusses how the Kedarnath temple survived this flood due to its elevated position and the subsequent efforts to protect the temple from further damage.

💡GPS Survey

A GPS survey is a method of surveying that uses the Global Positioning System to measure locations on or near the Earth's surface. The video mentions a GPS survey conducted on the Kedarnath temple to assess any damage to its foundation after the 2013 flood.

💡River Diversion

River diversion is a technique used in civil engineering to change the course of a river. The script describes how the team working on the temple's restoration implemented river diversion to prevent further damage from the Mandakini and Saraswati rivers.

💡Reconstruction

Reconstruction refers to the process of rebuilding or reassembling something that has been damaged or destroyed. The video details the efforts and challenges faced during the reconstruction of the Kedarnath temple after the 2013 flood.

💡Pilgrimage

A pilgrimage is a journey taken to a sacred place for religious reasons. The Kedarnath temple is a destination for Hindu pilgrims, and the video discusses the preparations and challenges in facilitating the pilgrimage season despite the harsh weather conditions.

Highlights

Kedarnath Temple is built on unstable land, yet it has remained the most stable place in the valley.

Dr. Rakesh Bhatt, a professor of ancient Indian history and archaeology, has studied the temple's original structure in depth.

The location of Kedarnath is quite unique, with the choice of land being a very important aspect.

The builders must have assessed the quality of the land and chosen the site for construction around 1200 years ago.

The temple has successfully faced many challenges over the centuries due to the wise choice of location.

The temple is built away from the mountains to avoid damage from any avalanches.

The temple is an example of excellent engineering as it survived the 2013 floods without any damage.

GPS survey revealed that the foundation of Kedarnath Temple was not affected at all by the floods.

Restoration work was completed in October 2018 to repair the temple and make it stable.

Due to the floods, the Mandakini and Saraswati rivers merged, but were later diverted back to their original courses for safety.

A team of 96 people carried 6 tons of material on their backs to build a 350-foot long reinforced concrete wall for protection.

Kedarnath town in Uttarakhand, India is still frozen in winter, but thousands of pilgrims visit the temple every year.

People bring necessary supplies by hand to ensure the smooth running of the pilgrimage.

The temple is still covered in snow, but they will find a solution to the current challenges.

A medical relief post with a warm room will be set up for the convenience of the pilgrims.

The next 15 days are very challenging as they need to complete the work if the weather remains favorable.

Around 300 workers, including officials and junior engineers from various departments, will work together to fulfill their responsibilities.

Inspection of the road has been completed and the path has become visible.

Reinforcements have finally arrived, including people with machines and tools.

They will clean the temple premises at least to make it easier when a large number of pilgrims arrive.

Around 10,000 to 15,000 people are expected to come on the first day itself.

They will work for 2400 hours to prepare for the large number of pilgrims.

Everything gets buried in snow every year, so they have to start the pilgrimage from scratch every time.