BISHNOI VILLAGE SAFARI

Although there is a lot that one can see and experience in the magnificent state of Rajasthan that range from its great history, Kings, Forts, palaces, monuments to its people, cuisines and a lot more. But one thing, without experiencing which your Rajathan tour will not be complete is the Bishnoi Village Safari. The motive of this safari is to peek into the lifestyle, culture and attitudes of the Bishnois, a community in Rajasthan known for their unconditional love for nature and wild life. The Bishnoi sect was founded by Guru Jambheshwar in 1451. 'Bish' means 20 and 'noi' means 9. Thus, Bishnoi translates as Twenty-niners. Guru Jambeshwar had laid down 29 principles to be followed by the sect, which are religiously followed by the bishnois even till date. Though all of these principles are special in their own distinct ways but few of them would really interest you. Like To be compassionate towards all living beings, Not to cut green trees, To partake food cooked by self / other religious person or one who is pure by heart, Not to partake of opium, Not to drink liquor, Not to eat meat or non-vegetarian and more. Before he died, he stated that the black buck was his manifestation after death and should be conserved. It is because of this fact, that in Bishnoi dominated areas, deer and antelope (such as blue bulls, black bucks, chinkaras and chowsinghas) are seen grazing peacefully in their fields.

There are a lot of intriguing facts attached to this expedition. The origin of the Chipko movement can be traced back to the Bishnois. And also the court proceedings against renowned Bollywood actor Salman khan for allegedly killing a black buck and Chinkara in a Bishnoi village is also quite an exemplar of the commitment of Bishnois towards their rituals and community values. A legend goes that one day in 1730 Amrita Devi, a Bishnoi woman was at her home with her three daughters Asu, Ratni and Bhagu bai, when she came to know that a number of people had descended upon their village 'Khejarli'. The people were a party of men sent by Maharaja Abhay Singh, the ruler of the kingdom of Jodhpur, who wanted to fell green Khejri trees of the village, for the construction of the Maharaja's new palace. Since there were a lot of green trees in the Bishnoi villages even in the middle of the Thar Desert, the king ordered his men to get the wood by cutting the Khejri trees.

THE KHEJRALI MASSACRE
The news spread like wildfire. The Bishnois of Khejrali gathered and sent summons to their counterparts in eighty-three Bishnoi villages in the vicinity to come and decide on the next course of action. Since the supreme sacrifice by Amrita Devi and her daughters had not satisfied the royal party, and the felling of green trees was continued, it was decided that for every green tree to be cut One Bishnoi, volunteer would sacrifice his/ her life. In the beginning, old people voluntarily started holding the trees to be cut in an embrace as in the 20th Century Chipko Movement.
Despite many valiant old persons, giving away their lives, the Hakim (the royal party's leader) , Girdhar Das Bhandari, taunted the Bishnois that they were offering unwanted old persons. Soon, young men, women (including recently married ones) and children were sacrificing themselves in a similar manner.
There was intense pandemonium. The tree-felling party was badly shakhen. They left for Jodhpur with their mission unfulfilled and told the Maharaja about what had happened. Soon as he learnt about it, he ordered the felling of trees to be stopped.
By that time, three hundred and sixty three (363) Bishnois, young and old, men and women, married and unmarried, rich and poor, had already become martyrs.

THE MARTYRDOM OF AMRITA DEVI
Amrita Devi protested against the Maharaja's men who were attempting to cut green trees as it was prohibited according to Bishnoi principles. The malevolent feudal party told her that if she wanted the trees to be spared, she would have to give them money as bribe. She refused to acknowledge this demand and told them that she would consider it as an act of insult to her religious faith and would rather give away her life to save the green trees. It is at that stage she spoke these words:
Sar santey rookh rahe to bhi sasto jaan (If a tree is saved even at the cost of one's head, it's worth it)
Saying these words, she offered her head. The axes, which were brought to cut the trees, severed her head. The three young girls Asu, Ratni and Bhagu were not daunted, and offered their heads too.