The journey of about 5 km from Gurushikhar of Mount Abu to Utraj village is risky.
Gurushikhar (Sirohi) 1722 meters high is the highest peak of the Aravalli mountain range. Utraj village is situated here. Due to lack of road neither car nor bike can go there. One has to go on foot, that too through rough and narrow roads. There is also a danger of bear and leopard attacks. From Gurushikhar
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Come along with us on this journey…
Bhaskar team reached Gurushikhar at 2 pm. Asked the local people for the way down. Everyone was refusing to go there. There is a radar station of the Indian Air Force near the hilly road leading to the village. It is prohibited to go here without permission. However, before the radar station, the rocky path leading to the village gets diverted from the side and goes down.
We set out on our journey through this trail. Some people advised to keep matchsticks and firecrackers along. We did the same. Initially the journey was easy, but gradually difficulties started increasing. It took one and a half hour to travel 3 km.
To reach Utraj village from Gurushikhar (Mount Abu, Sirohi) one has to travel through similar rough trails.
After walking for half an hour, some kutcha houses and fields were visible. When we walked a little further, we saw two separate huts built one above the other in a cave. There was a temple nearby. As soon as the camera was taken out, the person present in the hut came running and refused to make the video.
A person named Bhoothnath introduced himself as the priest of the temple. Said- This is the Badrinath temple built by Saint Chandangiri. He himself has refused to make the video. After stopping there for a while we moved ahead.
After walking for half an hour, some kutcha houses and fields surrounded by forests and mountains were seen all around. There was a government school. It was written on the board, Government Higher Primary School, Utraaj, Sirohi.
Most of the men were out of the village due to tourist season. Most of the houses in the village were closed. When we asked some women, we came to know that due to the tourist season, most of the men of the village have gone to Mount Abu and Gurushikhar. The men and women who are here are working in the fields.
By now the darkness was beginning to deepen. Although it was only 4:30 in the evening. We decided to stay in the village for the night. An elderly man named Ratan Singh told that he was going towards Shergaon. There are temples named Kedarnath in the forest on the way. We can stay there if we want. Blanket and sheet will be available. The priests also stay there.
On the way from Gurushikhar of Sirohi to Utraj and Shergaon, clear water is seen flowing like this amidst the forest and hills.
There was no other option. In such a situation, we along with Ratan Singh started walking towards the inaccessible road of Shergaon. After walking one kilometer reached Kedarnath temple. There are high hills all around, forests and plains in between. There was a clear water stream flowing in the middle of the field.
Gave carpets and blankets to stay in tinshed The name of the priest of Kedarnath temple is Shaitan Singh. They gave carpets and blankets to stay in the tinshed. By now it was dark. Leaving us here, Ratan Singh went ahead. The temple priest gave us strict instructions – not to go out of the tinshed at night. Bears and leopards keep coming near the temple every night. Tried to sleep after eating bread and vegetables given by the priest. Could sleep only for 2 hours in the bone-chilling cold. As soon as it became light at 7 in the morning, after thanking the temple priest, the Bhaskar team set out back towards Utraj village.
No NOC for roads and other works due to forest When he reached the village, Kaluram was watering the wheat crop. Kaluram said- Farming does not generate income. Just feed ourselves and the cattle. There is no employment, nor any other source of income. Everything is at a standstill due to lack of roads. If there is a forest then no one gives NOC for roads and other works.
For irrigation, water is supplied to the fields through pipes from the drains coming from the mountains. There is no electricity or motor of any kind in it. Although there are some elevated fields in the village, water is supplied there through diesel pumps. When asked about the danger from wild animals, he said – A bear had come towards the temple in the morning itself.
Utraj village surrounded by hills and forests. The danger of wild animals increases as night falls.
Now only 40 families live in the village Kaluram told- Once there were 150 families in the village. Now there are only 40 families, the rest have migrated. Their houses have also turned into ruins. There is a government school till eighth standard. By the way, whoever has some money, he educates his child in Mount Abu. Children studying outside go through this route on foot every day to Gurushikhar and further to Oraiya village. BSNL network is sometimes available in mobile only at some high places in the hills. Ration items are also brought from Gurushikhar only. It is not possible to bring cement, rebar and gravel. This is the reason why all the houses are made of mud and stone.
Bears and leopards attack cows and buffaloes When we moved a little further, we found Kesar Singh working in the fields. Kesar Singh said that many times bears and leopards attack cows and buffaloes. To save them, these caves built in the mountains have been made their shelter. As soon as the day sets, the cattle are put in these caves and locked from outside. Along with wild animals, there is also protection from cold and rain. There is often no electricity at night.
When we walked a little further we met a young man. He told his name as Suresh Singh. Suresh told that he is doing 12th class living in Mount Abu. Has come to the village during winter holidays. Till now there will be only one or two people in the village who have got government jobs. Apart from this no one could accomplish anything.
Most of the daughters drop out of education after 8th. Heeri Bai was sitting nearby, who was feeding the child in her lap. She said- My family is in Mount Abu. When I came for the first time after marriage, I was scared seeing the mountains and forests all around. I was married to the Atta-Sata tradition. Now it has become a habit here. It also feels good to have a peaceful life. Girls are taught here till 8th class. After this, either they teach openly or make them leave their studies. My daughter’s form has also been filled from Open. When asked about wild animals, she said – When we go to Dhani, bears and leopards pass by. Never bother.
When we moved a little further, we met Lakshmi Kanwar of Utraj village. His tomb is in Mt. Lakshmi, who has done BA, B.Ed, is an Anganwadi worker in Utraj. It has been 10 years since their marriage. She said- The husband had brought the wedding procession on foot. At that time nothing seemed good at all, but now everything is beginning to feel good. The water is even better than Mt. Even when I go there, I take water with me from here. One week’s ration and vegetables are brought from the market. Mostly only kadhi is made. Apart from this, vegetables grown in the fields are used.
People from outside bought land in the village Lakshmi told that her husband Shankar Singh runs an artificial jewelery shop in Mount. Lakshmi herself also gives tuition to children. Lakshmi told that some people from outside have also bought land here. Although those lands are lying like this. After talking to Lakshmi and roaming around the village for a long time, it was becoming evening again. In such a situation, we decided to return to Gurushikhar again. Reached Gurushikhar by 6 in the evening. This is where our exciting walking journey ended.
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Also read this news of Utraj village of Mount Abu…
A tractor reached the highest village of Rajasthan for the first time, 50 people carried 1000 kg parts on a bamboo frame; Walk 3KM on hilly roads
Farming can now be done with tractors in village Utraj, situated at a distance of three km from the highest mountain peak of Rajasthan. 60 families of the village together have bought this tractor. A tractor reached the highest village of Rajasthan (Utraj) for the first time two weeks ago. There is no road to reach this village of Mount Abu in Sirohi district. Read the full news…
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