The irony is that the story was narrated on a “ Poornima” but the experience pertained to “Bhutia Amavasya”.

There is more to the smile of ManSingh than what you might interpret after your observation during the first interaction. His honesty is also evident in his mannerism and he is arguably one of the most popular person of the village. Although he still is very popular for his ability to work for hours after galloping his favorite drink(none other than the alcohol made from Mahua).Although now a days he prefers to stay reserved but in case you do manage to approach him and talk to him, he will open his potli of stories which are quite intriguing. The uniqueness is that he doesn’t remember what he shares with people. He admits “aaj to baat mein aap se kahunga woh mujhe yaad nahi rahengi:”

His love for Dharaji can hardly be overestimated. He says “ I cannot forget the memories that I associate with this place. It is part of my skin and this is from where my life started and it remains stagnant there”. The memories of singing Bhajans just beside the Dhara are still with me.During the conversations at various point of time he would stop the flow of the conversation and abruptly ask you “ Mai jyada to bol nahi raha”. He will smile and hope that the response will be no and resume with the conversation.

The conversation was extremely insightful when started narrating how Banasur did a Tapasya for almost 14 years to please and invoke Lord Shiva. The dedication and devotion of Banasur is still unmatched as per the Hindu Mythology. He made thousands of shivlings through his own hand, did pranpratishta of each of the shivlings and submerged them in the waters of Narmada at Dharaji. His efforts did not go in vain and as a result of which he received a vardan from Lord Shiva. The vardan not only ensured that all the thousand shivlings were made pure and pious but it also meant that Dharaji become a blessed and religious pilgrimage which will constantly produce shivlings when the waters of Narmada will rush through the volcanic rocks of the Dhaudi Kund(formation of rock structure on the banks of Narmada River).

ManSingh takes a lot of pride in sharing these stories and no one can quite explain the significance of the place as ManSingh does. This is because when the Dhara was in place , he used to jump in to the kund all day to take out shivlings so that they can worshipped by the devotees. He used to do this all day and that is what made him popular. It was his source of livelihood, his reason to live and his efforts to restore the tradition of his family.

Today he seems a bit lost and disinterested. The question is not about his livelihood but also his faith. His faith has been shattered on a tradition in which he took pride in and carried on his shoulders.

The irony is that the story was narrated on a “ Poornima” but the experience pertained to “Bhutia Amavasya”.