Kedarnath redevelopment/restoration project

1. maun Gufa/ meditation caves

DRAFT MEMORANDUM OF INFORMATION PACKAGEAN INITIATIVE BY JSW, PREPARED FOR CSR CAUSE & FUNDING OF THE PROJECT

12th January, 2018Prepared byPrepared for

KEDAR VALLEY PROJECTS:1. Maun Gufa / Meditation Caves along the Tirth yatra 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 Ghats & Retaining wall (JSW funded Project )

6. Mandakini Ghats & Retaining Wall (Government Funded Project)

7. Kedarpuri Central Approach Street widening & Grading (ONGC Funded Project)

8. Shri Shankaracharya Samadhi/Virtual Museum (JSW funded Project)

9. Guest Houses (8 nos.) on Saraswati & Mandakini River-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

KEDARNATHState: UttarakhandDistrict: RudraprayagTehsil: UkhimathLocation: 217 km from Rishikesh, 14 km from GaurikundRiver: MandakiniGlacier: ChorabariHeight: 3583m/ 11755ft from sea levelMountain: Kedar Dome (6831m/22411ft High)Demographics: (Census’11)Population: 612 people (609 M, 3 F, None below 6 years)Literacy: 599 M, 2 FGovernance: Village Nagar PanchayatThe Opening and Closing Date of the shrine:November to April: Closed for 6 months;deities are brought and worshiped at UkhimathMay to October: The deities are reinstated at KedarnathTemple reopens: 1st week of May

KEDARNATH

NAINITAL

NEW DELHI

NEW DELHI

HARIDWAR

24 km

78 km

19 km 105 km

46 km

31km

56 km

302km

207 km34 km

103 km

30 km41 km

54 km

RISHIKESH

BARKOT

SRINAGAR

RUDRAPRAYAG

GAURIKUNDPHATA

KARNAPRAYAG

52 km

DEHRADUN

UKHIMATH27 km

Motorable Route from Rudraprayag to Gaurikund

Pedestrian Route from Rudraprayag to Gaurikund

Helicopter RouteMotorable Route

RAMBARA

30 km

GAURIKUND

PHATA

UKHIMATH

27 km

14 km

15 km

KEDARNATH

RUDRAPRAYAG

34 km

Background

BEFORE

AFTERAFTER

Kedarnath,one of the twelve jyotirlings, is an important hindu pilgrimage. Kedarnath temple 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.

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.

Background

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

Along the Tirth Yatra routes (5 nos.)

D

C

B

A

Kedar Puri

Gaurikund The route from Gaurikund to Kedar Puri.

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

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

Tirth Yatra Route from Gauri Kund to Kedarnath is picturesque and is full of beautiful mountains, valleys and watter falls and has a great potential to be 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 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.

1. Maun Gufas / Meditation Caves

Along the Tirth Yatra routes (5 nos.)

Arundhati Caves, Rishikesh

Wat Umong, Chiang Mai Thailand

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.

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

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

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

1. Maun Gufas / Meditation Caves

Along the Tirth Yatra routes (5 nos.)

Yoga Retreat, Malaga, Spain

Tabo Caves, Spiti Valley

3. 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 Himalayas.

Flags at caves denotes that somebody is meditating inside.

1. Maun Gufas / Meditation Caves

* Cost Includes 5 Years of Operation and Maintenance.

Along the Tirth Yatra routes (5 nos.)

A

C

B

D

1. Maun Gufas / Meditation Caves

LOCATIONS :A. Near BhimbaliB. Near Garud ChattiC. Near Lancholi D. Near Rambara

SUGGESTED COMPONENTS :1. Pathway2. Carving of caves3. Eco friendly washrooms4. Emergency calling facility5. Food supply 6. Supply of minimal daily needs7. Flags and accessories to donate

someone meditating inside8. Infrastructure and services

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

Along the Tirth Yatra routes (5 nos.)

Pathway and carving of cavesEst. Cost: 50 LacsCarving, Partial Paving, Leveling, Excavating, Cleaning, Finishing and Stabilizing of Caves

Eco friendly washroomsEst. Cost: 5 LacsApprox. 2 Modular Toilets (24 sq.ft.) per Location

Emergency calling facilityEst. Cost: 2 Lacs1 Modular Cabin Per Location

Supply of Minimal Daily Needs/FoodEst. Cost: 18 LacsLogistic Arranged from Near by Settlement

Infrastructure and ServicesEst. Cost: 10 LacsLocalize MEPF Services

Flags and accessories to donate to someone who is praying Est. Cost: 6 LacsLogistic Supply From Near by Village

* Precedent images are for reference only

1. Maun Gufas / Meditation Caves

Name Location ComponentsArea (SF)

Remark

 Total Cost including Transportation

(In RS) 

Funding & CSR Initiative  by

Carving of Caves,Pathways Connecting to Main Path, 

Lump SumCarving, Partial Paving, Leveling, Exavating, Cleaning , Finishing & Stabalizing of Caves

              50,00,000 

Eco Friendly toilets/Washrooms/Shower Facility

5 Nos. X 2 Modules X 24 Sq. ft 

2 Modular Toilets Per Cave                  5,00,000 

Emergency Calling Facility 5Nos.  X 1 X 24 1 Modular Cabin Per Cave                  2,00,000 Food Supply  Logistic arrangements from Near by Settlement/ Post               12,00,000 Supply of Minimal Monthly Needs Logistic Supply From Near by Settlement/Post                  6,00,000 Flags and Accessories to Donate Someone Meditating Inside

Logistic Supply From Near by Settlement /Post                  6,00,000 

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            5,00,50,000 Total Approx. Cost of Maun Caves ( Approx 5 Nos.)

1Maun Gufas / Meditation Caves

Along the Tirth yatra route :(1) Near Bhimbai (2) Near Garud Chatti (3) Near Lancholi (4) Near Rambara