Bodh Gaya must have remained a sacred place for Buddhists from across the globe and ‘Pind Daan’ on the banks of river Falgu in Gaya could have blessed salvation to millions of Hindu souls from all over the world since centuries. But the man-made death of river Niranjana connecting Bodh Gaya and Gaya has left a 80-years old Buddhist monk named Bhante Tissavaro so disturbed that he has decided to sit on dharna at Jantar Mantar in the heart of New Delhi from July 12 to get the river Niranjana, which is also called Falgu after a river named Mohna converges with it in as it progresses, revived.
“This is ironical that a mythological river Falgu has died a man-made death and no one is there to take care of it despite two of the most significant religious spots in India, the Bodh Gaya where lord Buddha attained to His ultimate and Gaya where Hindu souls attain to salvation. I have met with almost all the public representatives of the region, the ministers and even previous Prime Minister, only to get no response. This is why I have decided to sit on Dharna with couple of my friends and well-wishers of environment,” said Tissavaro on Wednesday.
As per records, Niranjana river originates from Simaria block in Chatra in Jharkhand, moving forward to Dobi in Bihar via Hunterganj (Jharkhand). It keeps on moving and comes to Bodh Gaya where lord Budha had attained ultimate knowledge. From there it moves Suryapura village where Mohna River converges with it and combined river moves forward toward Gaya as Falgu River.
“There happened to be an entire eco-system along river Niranjana from Chatra to Gaya. There were villages, farming and other livelihood activities till the river was full of waters. However, it is dry now with people along its banks migrating to other places. Environment is suffering in absence of greeneries which once used to glow like crown of river Niranjana. But now entire region is deserted,” said Tissavaro.
Bhante who has also demanded formation of dedicated Niranjana-Falgu Tribunal for bringing water to the river and making it flow like earlier added that he found hope in words of people like Minister Saryu Roy who has remained vocal for river conservation and preservation, Water-Man Rajendra Singh, Gaya MP Hari Manjhi and couple of other environmentalists who have offered support for this noble cause.
Roy, too, said on Wednesday that the river Niranjana needed to be revived and efforts of Bhante Tissavaro were for well-being of humanity. “Falgu is a mythological river and a whole culture and civilization aspect has remained associated with it. I have extended all my support to Bhante and will definitely visit on the site on dates finalized by him,” said Roy.
He, however refused commitment of any financial help from State government for the cause. “That is beyond my capacity. But I am sure of providing all the help which I can offer,” said Roy.
Tissavaro also wants a huge Buddha statue to be installed at origination point of river Niranjana in Simaria which could be developed as a world class tourist destination. “The government is spending huge amount in projects like Namami Gange. This Niranjana rebirth will certainly not consume that much investment, and government can do it,” said the monk.
