Lahartara Pond is a historical pond associated with the appearance of Saint Kabir Saaheb.[1] According to a legend, Saint Kabir Saaheb was found floating on a lotus flower in the pond.[2] It is located in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh in India.[3] In the past, it was a large freshwater lake that spanned Template:Convert.[4] In the present day, it no longer has its historical grandeur because about Template:Convert of the pond is under the directorate of archaeology, Uttar Pradesh, while another Template:Convert are under Satguru Kabir Prakat Dham.[5]
History and legends
The history of the Lahartara Pond is connected with the famous poet and mystic Saint Kabir.[6] It is situated in the Varanasi District, in Uttar Pradesh, and is a short distance away from Kabir Math. At first, the pond occupied Template:Convert, but nowadays it's been fractionated and placed under the jurisdiction of different institutions. Legend says that infant Kabir was found floating on a lotus flower.[7]
Religious and cultural significance
The pond has a great significance among the Kabir Panthis for its connection with the appearance of Kabir Sahib Ji.[8] Kabir Sahib Ji was found lying on a lotus flower in this pond in an infant Form, from where Neeru-Neema, the foster parents of Kabir, took Kabir home.[9]
Pollution and environmental concerns
The fabled pond of Lahartara is situated near the GT Road on the Allahabad route. Once a sight for sore eyes, today it lies in a more destitute state. About Template:Convert from the Varanasi Cantonment railway station, spread over Template:Convert, is nothing but a dumping ground for filth and a swamp of wastewater.
Only about Template:Convert of the pond is protected by the directorate of archaeology, Uttar Pradesh, and about 8 acres is under the possession of Sadguru Kabir Prakatya Dham. The remaining part has been surrounded by rampant encroachment on all sides.
Sadguru Kabir Prakatya Dham continues to better manage its portion of the pond. They have come up with a plan to construct a grand memorial and a fixed pond within the pond. Chief of Panth Hazoor Ardhnan Saheb, while sharing remarks about the deteriorating condition of the Heritage Site, spoke about the continuing progress being made at the memorial of Saint Kabir and said that the historically significant pond should immediately be restored and a plan should be put into place that ensures that such sites don't get neglected in the future.
In August 2003, the High Court ordered that improvements should be made to the pond,[10] but as of 2020 it was still in bad condition.[10]
References
- ↑ Lahartara Talab in pathetic condition. The Times of India(5 December 2012). Retrieved 29 June 2020.
- ↑ Couplets from Kabīr{{#if:Kabir|, Kabir}. Motilal Banarsidass Publ.(1991). ISBN 978-81-208-0935-2
- ↑ Pin Code: LAHARTARA, VARANASI, UTTAR PRADESH, India, Pincode.net.in. pincode.net.in. Retrieved 2020-07-16.
- ↑ Bodies of Song: Kabir Oral Traditions and Performative Worlds in North India{{#if:Hess|, Hess}. Oxford University Press(2015). ISBN 978-0-19-937416-8
- ↑ Varanasi Tirtha in Inscriptions. Proceedings of the Indian History Congress({Template:Date).
- ↑ Appearance of Kabir Saheb in Kalyug. S A NEWS(2018-06-16). Retrieved 2020-08-09.
- ↑ The Sants: Studies in a Devotional Tradition of India{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. Motilal Banarsidass Publ.(1987). ISBN 978-81-208-0277-3
- ↑ Jeevanadarsh Evam Atmanubhuti: Ideals of Life & Self-Realization{{#if:Adgadanand|, Adgadanand}. Shree Paramhans Swami Adgadanandji Ashram Trust
- ↑ Bodies of Song: Kabir Oral Traditions and Performative Worlds in North India{{#if:Hess|, Hess}. Oxford University Press(2015). ISBN 978-0-19-937416-8
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 हिंदी खबर, Latest News in Hindi, हिंदी समाचार, ताजा खबर. Patrika News. Retrieved 2020-08-25.