On a recent visit to Jodhpur for a wedding, I had the opportunity to visit The Mehrangarh fort. It is a beautifully designed fort that rests on a serene hilltop in Jodhpur. A huge stone named ‘Rao Jodha ka Falsa’ welcomed us as we walked through the ‘Jaipol’, the main entrance. The huge wooden doors, the treasures, the cannons overlooking the once blue city, and the paintings, attires and toys of the royal family are all displayed for the public to get a sneak peek into the royal lives.
The room of mirrors, the room with intricate flower
carvings, the royal courtroom, the leisure room, the open space for queens’
recreation and the Chamunda Devi temple gave us glimpses of the glorious past.
History has mesmerised and intrigued me equally since my
school days. The people, their way of life, the culture, and the rituals - I
believe all of it had a meaning. It is needless to say that our ancestors
though unacquainted with technology managed to accomplish feats that are
thought impossible even with the best amenities today.
What bewilders me is the possibility of constructing such
gigantic structures that have survived through centuries. Many sacred Jain
Temples are built on mountains that seem insurmountable to us with the least
baggage. The Shatrunjay Mahatirth, Girnaji’s Neminath temple, and Sammed
Shikharji’s temples are all living examples. Many take the help of locals to
carry them to the temples because it is challenging to reach the shrine. These
were all made centuries before and they continue to stand tall and strong,
unhindered by changing seasons and centuries, available for us to take
blessings of the Lord and displaying the engineering prowess of the past
generations.
The very first room in the fort is a gallery of Howdahs.
These carriages were mounted on the backs of elephants and used by the royals
during processions, hunting and warfare. It was a matter of honour for royals
to participate in processions mounted on them. A guide standing close to me
told his tourists that the elephants are the only reason for these massive
constructions and I couldn’t agree with him anymore.
When we think of elephants, we visualize the huge ears
flapping to and fro, the ivory tusks that grow more than half of our height,
the big mouth that can devour a bunch of bananas at once, the big stomach that
moves with every step and the heavy legs capable of crushing bones to powder.
Some worship them as significant to a particular god and
some take them as entertainment. But have we ever given them their credit for
being the key factor in shaping nature and our being?
Biologically, Elephants shape the environment and support
many other species in the ecosystem. They create clearances allowing sunlight
to fall on the ground amidst canopies and help smaller plants to grow. They
help in seed dispersal. The waterholes they make help many animals survive
during droughts. They are capable of changing the course of rivers. This
highlights their importance to our existence.
Historically, elephants were the only animals equipped with the strength to carry heavy materials, and haul logs and stones required to build the buildings that are now a part of our cultural heritage. India’s Taj Mahal, Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, Sri Lanka’s intricate irrigation system and the ancient cities are examples of the elephants’ contributions.
Jainism, Hinduism and Buddhism treat elephants as venerable beings. Elephants are symbols of wisdom, strength, loyalty, fertility and power. They stand tall outside many temples as wise protectors that guard and lead. They are associated with water and rainfall. Jain art also depicts them as a symbol of adoration and worship.
The next time I see an elephant, I will be seeing more than
just its enormity. I will be looking at the enormous and selfless contribution
to our history, biology, culture and heritage. Bowing down would be the least I could do.
Cheers To the True Guardians and Keepers.
GOD BLESS!!
CHS
