Uttarakhand flood survivor recalls the agony: Laxmi Prasad Pandey

Priest of Dhari Devi temple speaks about flash flood of 2013 in Uttarakhand. He says " On the 16th June morning when I went for the Devi snaan (bathing ritual for idol). For the ritual bath I have to go down and fetch water from the river. That time around 8 AM the water had almost reached 10 stairs below from where people take their slippers and shoes off. After offering prayers around 8 AM, water had reached the area where people take their slippers off. I was with my nephew who had his turn of duty in the temple. I told him to go home as the water level was increasing and I did not go as I have to protect idols. He said no, " I will stay with you".

Water had reached everywhere around 12 -1 in the afternoon. By then my friends came to provide me with food through a crane. The administration requested and warned us to leave as the water levels were rising, but I stayed there and told them that I will save both the idols and myself. Even if I feel scared I will protect myself and the idols because I have spent half my life doing prayers.


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