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Home , Badrinath, Char Dham, Chota Char Dham, Haridwar, Kedarnath, Kedarnath Temple

1. Maun Gufa/ Meditation Caves

Kedarnath Redevelopment/Restoration Project DRAFT MEMORANDUM OF INFORMATION PACKAGE AN INITIATIVE BY JSW, PREPARED FOR CSR CAUSE & FUNDING OF THE PROJECT

Prepared for Prepared by 12th January, 2018 KEDAR VALLEY PROJECTS:

1. Maun Gufa / Meditation Caves along the Tirth route (5 nos.) 2. Smriti-van Memorial at foothills 3. Road widening and Construction of Rambara to Garudchatti (5.25km Long - 1.9km Existing , 3.9km New) 4. Road widening and Construction of GarudChatti to Kedartown (3.6 km) 5. Saraswati & Retaining wall (JSW funded Project ) 6. Mandakini Ghats & Retaining Wall (Government Funded Project) 7. Kedarpuri Central Approach Street widening & Grading (ONGC Funded Project) 8. Shankaracharya Samadhi/Virtual Museum (JSW funded Project) 9. Guest Houses (8 nos.) on Saraswati & -banks 10. Kedarpuri Infrastructure Project : Storm Water, Solid Waste Management, Water Supply, Electrification, Lane Cabling & other Sustainable Solutions. 11. Balance 70 Houses for Tirth Purohits in Kedarpuri 12. Laser/Light and Sound show on mountain slopes Background

BARKOT KEDARNATH 54 km RAMBARA KEDARNATH State: GAURIKUND District: PHATA 14 km 27 km : Ukhimath 41 km Location: 217 km from , 14 km from Gaurikund 30 km GAURIKUND 78 km 46 km RUDRAPRAYAG River: Mandakini 15 km 34 km Glacier: Chorabari 31km SRINAGAR PHATA Height: 3583m/ 11755ft from sea level RISHIKESH 19 km 105 km 27 km 24 km Mountain: Kedar Dome (6831m/22411ft High) 103 km UKHIMATH Demographics: (Census’11) 52 km

Population: 612 people (609 M, 3 F, None below 6 years) Literacy: 599 M, 2 F 207 km Governance: Village Nagar Panchayat 34 km 30 km The Opening and Closing Date of the shrine: NEW November to April: Closed for 6 months;deities are brought and Pedestrian Route from 56 km worshiped at Ukhimath Rudraprayag to Gaurikund Motorable Route from May to October: The deities are reinstated at Kedarnath Rudraprayag to Gaurikund 302km Temple reopens: 1st week of May Motorable Route RUDRAPRAYAG Helicopter Route Background BEFORE Kedarnath,one of the twelve jyotirlings, is an important hindu . is believed to have been constructed in the 8th century. Before disaster, kedarpuri was densly built leading to haphazard development and narrow streets near temple. The extents of kedarpuri were wide.

AFTERAFTER In June 2013, Kedarnath valley was hit by flash floods. Majority of the area was completely washed away.This lead to the formation of a natural visual access towards the temple. Loss of infrastructure and land lead to the decrease in the extents of kedarpuri.Yet the temple stands strong, giving us a chance to restore it in a better way. There is greater vision of development of Kedar valley with multiple interventions along with the development of Kedarpuri.

The region is expecting large number of yogis and spiritual enthusiasts getting deep into the meditation practice. Usually, these practices are taking place in isolated caves with bare minimum facilities needed.

The development of such Maun Gufas/ Meditation Caves on the way to Kedarnath with basic facilities is one of the objective of this proposal.

Source: www.flickr.com/photos/_leonid/5058612451 1. Maun Gufa / Meditation Caves 1. Maun Gufas / Meditation Caves Along the Tirth Yatra routes (5 nos.)

PROJECT DESCRIPTION : Uttarakhand state and Kedarnath has a Kedar great potential to develop as and eco- friendly religious and spiritual Tourism hotspot. Thousands of visit Kedarnath as part of Chota Char-Dham Yatra every year.

A Uttarakhand is already a popular state amongst tourists as a Spiritual and Meditation Hotspot.

B Tirth Yatra Route from to Kedarnath is picturesque and is full of beautiful mountains, valleys and watter falls and has a great potential to be C developed as spiritual/meditation spots.

Proposal is to identify 5-6 locations on the tirth yatra path but are tucked away in peaceful environment amongst D nature. Maun Gufas/ Meditation Caves to be created where pilgrims, spiritual enthusiasts can come and spend few days in nature serene peaceful environment and they could be provided all minimal but necessary amenities without human interaction.

Gaurikund The route from Gaurikund to Kedar Puri. 1. Maun Gufas / Meditation Caves Along the Tirth Yatra routes (5 nos.)

Arundhati Caves, Rishikesh SIMILAR EXAMPLES : 1. Caves, Rishikesh- The Vashisth Gufa is situated 22 km from Rishikesh on route to / Kedarnath.

These caves were the places where Vashisth, one of the saptarshis (7 sages), camped for performance of austerities () for a few hundred years.

Swami Purushottamanand samite is maintaining the ashram and cave since 1930.

2. Wat Umong Chiang Mai, Thailand- It is situated in the San Kamphaeng District, near Sankampaeng.

A long 187 steps of Naaa Serpent stairway rewards with a scenic view over the valley,

Inside you have several steep staircases going down along with several walkways in between. A corner of the cave where water spouts drops from the host of stalactites is also a wonder.

Wat Umong, Chiang Mai Thailand 1. Maun Gufas / Meditation Caves Along the Tirth Yatra routes (5 nos.)

3. Retreat, Malaga, Spain- Yoga Retreat, Malaga, Spain These are a series of caverns close to the town of Nerja in the Province of Málaga, Spain.

The caves were re-discovered in modern times on 12 January 1959 , Explorers entered through a narrow sinkhole known as “La Mina”. This forms one of the two natural entrances.

These caves also include the upper and new galleries, which were discovered in 1960 and 1969 respectively.

4. Tabo Caves, Spiti Valley- Located just above ancient Tabo Monastery, at 3500 meters above sea level.

Built by a Tibetan king who renounced his throne and became monk.

Caves served as dwellings for monks during harsh winters of .

Flags at caves denotes that somebody is meditating inside.

Tabo Caves, Spiti Valley 1. Maun Gufas / Meditation Caves Along the Tirth Yatra routes (5 nos.)

A B LOCATIONS : A. Near Bhimbali B. Near Garud Chatti C. Near Lancholi D. Near Rambara

SUGGESTED COMPONENTS : 1. Pathway 2. Carving of caves 3. Eco friendly washrooms 4. Emergency calling facility 5. Food supply 6. Supply of minimal daily needs 7. Flags and accessories to donate someone meditating inside C D 8. Infrastructure and services

APPROXIMATE COST ESTIMATE : 1 Cr/ Location Total : 5 CR

* Cost Includes 5 Years of Operation and Maintenance. 1. Maun Gufas / Meditation Caves Along the Tirth Yatra routes (5 nos.)

Eco friendly washrooms Est. Cost: 5 Lacs Approx. 2 Modular Toilets (24 sq.ft.) per Location

Emergency calling facility Est. Cost: 2 Lacs 1 Modular Cabin Per Location

Supply of Minimal Daily Needs/Food Est. Cost: 18 Lacs Logistic Arranged from Near by Settlement

Pathway and carving of caves Flags and accessories to donate to Infrastructure and Services Est. Cost: 50 Lacs someone who is praying Est. Cost: 10 Lacs Carving, Partial Paving, Leveling, Excavating, Est. Cost: 6 Lacs Localize MEPF Services Cleaning, Finishing and Stabilizing of Caves Logistic Supply From Near by Village

Total Area Cost including Funding & CSR Name Location Components Remark (SF) Transportation Initiative by (In RS) Carving of Caves,Pathways Carving, Partial Paving, Leveling, Exavating, Cleaning , Lump Sum 50,00,000 Connecting to Main Path, Finishing & Stabalizing of Caves Eco Friendly 5 Nos. X 2 Modules X 24 Sq. 2 Modular Toilets Per Cave 5,00,000 toilets/Washrooms/Shower Facility ft Emergency Calling Facility 5Nos. X 1 X 24 1 Modular Cabin Per Cave 2,00,000 Along the Tirth yatra route : Food Supply Logistic arrangements from Near by Settlement/ Post 12,00,000 Maun Gufas / (1) Near Bhimbai (2) Near Garud 1 Supply of Minimal Monthly Needs Logistic Supply From Near by Settlement/Post 6,00,000 Meditation Caves Chatti (3) Near Lancholi (4) Near Flags and Accessories to Donate Rambara Logistic Supply From Near by Settlement /Post 6,00,000 Someone Meditating Inside Infrastructure and Services Localized MEPF Services 10,00,000 5 Years of O&M 10% of Budgetary Cost 9,10,000 Approx 1 Cr Per Cave Location 1,00,10,000 Total Approx. Cost of Maun Caves ( Approx 5 Nos.) 5,00,50,000

* Precedent images are for reference only