Shrines & Offerings

Offerings... A Blessing In True Sense
India... a land of temples... a kaleidoscope of religions... a country who spells its identity from the diversity, spreading its arms to every sphere of the country. With 82% Hindus, 12.12% Muslims, 2.34% Christians, 1.94% Sikhs, 0.76% Buddhists, 0.40% Jains, and many more tribal religions, India provides a warm abode to all of them. Every village has its own god and goddess, curving its own tradition and culture, defining an identity of its own.

Karl Marx said, "Religion is the opium for the masses". Religion many a times proves to be the major driving force behind the dynamics among the masses in this country. Be it politics or society, very building block of this great country has a religious touch. It is ironical to see that religion that holds such a high position in the life offers little to the economy of the country. Religion, despite being the most powerful institution is hardly being able to contribute for welfare of the masses.

Owing to the history of this country and its strong religious inclination, India is endowed with a number of shrines and holy places, each with a different background and different culture. It can be defined as 'an offering to God', and is supposed to represent "Gods blessing". Most of the holy places in India provide for puffed rice, batashas, and sugar balls as "prasad". These are generally brought from urban areas and sold. These offerings are neither healthy nor is contributing to the local economy.

The South Indians, who practice religion reasonably, has been able to link religion to the economics of the province. Coconut, which is abundantly grown, is offered to the gods, thus bringing millions of exchange to the local cultivators. Other parts of the country, instead of exploring their own resources as prasad, followed what others have done.

Various features that should be part of any offerings are :
Offerings should reflect the significance of the holy place.
It is the identity and culture of the local people.
It should define the resources of the locality.
Offering should also take up the role of a souvenir.
'Prasad' should be a blessing in true sense of the term, ushering employment opportunities of a better living for local communities.

REGION AND RESOURCES:
India the land of diverse religion and culture is also land of rich resources. Establishing a strong relation between religion and the available resources, a strong platform of employment generation can be built. A huge economy is involved in the country's most popular institution... religion. From the flowers offered to the gods that to the idols worshipped, on has a wide market. Pilgrim stations are generally located away from areas and are located more in rural regime. But, the market produced region chiefly occupied by urban centers.

Ironically, the villages in and around the pilgrim stations are not the beneficiaries of this market, despite being the abode of rich resources. For example: Villages in and around Kaliyar sharif, a popular shrine for the Muslim, grow sugarcane. But, the sugar balls, which is offered chiefly in the shrine, comes form the urban area. for resources of the holyplaces if channeslised towards religion can reap good economical outputs.

In Hindu culture, fast is a necessary feature and during this buckwheat and Amaranthus are eaten. But, the very time,the same is not offered in Kedarnath, Badrinath temple around which villages are widely growing these crops. Similarly, Bajra grown in Rajasthan do not find place in offering.

Much held has not been given that how the holy places can usher the local economy... a form of blessing that God can offer to the local community.

It is local resources that can empower local community. Their local utility can only bring decentralized economy. Thus, for resource utilization, resource awareness is a must. Invariably the rural community is aware of its resources but lack of technology shuts the door to sustainable development. A fascination for the urban made products and the attitude of taking things for granted have shunned the local innovation. Utilization of the local resources will open the opportunities of employment generation.

DIVERSE OFFERINGS OF VARIOUS RELIGIONS:
The holy places of the religions import the various offerings from the nearest urban centers. Its high time that people realizes the potential of their resources and denies deprivation.

The offerings to god vary in various religions and also in different regions of the country. Offerings in Hinduism ranges from flowers and fruits to incense materials incense cakes etc. In different parts of the country the offerings vary. Like, in Vaishno Devi, the prasad consists of sugar balls, puffed rice, dry apple whereas in Badrinath the prasad is in the form of sugar balls and pulses. In Assam, the offerings in temple chiefly consist of pulses and easily available fruits, whereas, down south coconut plays a major role in religious ceremonies. The market set by the temples extend from specific edibles to subsidiary requirements like incense cakes, incense sticks, vermilion, textile etc.

In mosques, the edible offerings vary from place to place, In Shahadra Sharif Tabarrak is offered whereas in Kaliyar Sharif sugar balls take the place, Incense material finds an important place in Muslim religious ceremonies. Apart from this, perfume (eetra), carpets and mats also are used in the ceremonies. Christians lights candles to seek blessings. Flowers also find its place as offering.

A serious strategic action is required to formulate income-generating programs by linking the locally available resources to religion. Again, by linking local resources with local structures will inspire a sense of responsibility leading it to resource conservation also.

HINDU: idols, chunni, flowers, fruits, incense, vessels, vermilion, sacred thread, artifacts.

ISLAM: chaddar, incense, artifacts, Carpets, kohl, perfume.

CHRISTIANITY: flowers, candles, artifacts, wooden idols.

AGRICULTURE AND RELIGION... REDISCOVERING THE RELATIONSHIP.
Every culture, every tradition in India has a religio-agricultural angle. Be it Baisakhi, Diwali or Id, the first offering to the gods has been the agricultural harvest. Since time immemorial agriculture has a well-established relation with the Gods. Our tradition, our history speaks in volumes about it. That is why it is called agri-culture, the main culture of India. Religion can be a good route to couple agriculture with the economy of rural India.

Cereals in India are region specific. With varying climate and geographical features the cereals cultivated in various parts of the country varies to quite an extent. In Rajasthan, bajra is widely cultivated. Buckwheat is grown in high altitudes. It has yet to get a place as offerings in the mountain shrines of Kedarnath and Badrinath. Similarly, nutritious Finger millet is cultivated throughout the country. But, its fate has a long way to reach to the gods. On the other hand, sugar balls, puffed rice, batashsa have gained popularity in most of the religious places. Unlike these popular offerings, the locally available crops have nutritious value also. If the prasad of a particular place utilizes the locally available agricultural products, religion can actually be a platform for generating income.

BIORESOURCES AND RELIGION:
Apart from 'prasad', there are many elements, involved in religious visit. Incense stick, incense cakes, earthen lamps, and flowers, carry bags, are the given requirements. Unfortunately these products are all urban based and the local masses do not gain any benefit.

Bio resources of a particular holy place can be intertwined with the economy of the place. A few of such defined bio resources are:
Aromatic plants: Incense sticks are a must for worship in many faiths like Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, and Sikh. Huge amount of money is linked with incense material. Again, in many holy places the incense comes from the urban centers. Indian plateau in abundant in aromatic plants. Artemisia vulgaris, Oscinium sanctum, Juniperus macropoda, Origane vulgare, Rosa macrophylla, Tagetus erectus etc are a few of the many aromatic plants found in India. Incense material, scents, can be locally prepared through women.

Bamboo/Ringal/Willow: Ringal is a small bamboo found in high altitudinal zone where moisture prevails. Leaves are used as fodder. It has amazing flexibility and a good soil conservator. Arundanaria falconeri, A.spathiflora, A.thalmocalamus are few of the commonly found species.

Polythene- the dark demon to ecology is or other biomass can replace it. It can be used to make baskets and other items required in the religious shrines. Bamboo, the green gold, is one plant found in every region of the country. It can be easily induced in the market of religion by making carrier baskets, artifacts, and mats, incense sticks. Similarly in J&K valley it is willow which can cater such needs.

Fiber yielding plants: Plants like Jute, Banana, Bhimal which yields fiber, should be identified and be given a place in the market. Carpets, mats required for worship can be weaved out. Again, artifacts and other objects like bags, souvenirs, which hold out the identity of the pilgrimage, can be made. This way the fiber yielding plants will also find a place for itself and shall be encouraged.

Horticulture: Flower and fruits are inevitable offerings in many religious faiths. Introduction of economic species, pot harvest technologies and processing can make a wide market space for itself. Already in some of the shrines, local horticulture product is sold. Processing of such produce can further help the local growers for better return.

Flower Farming: All shrines offer a fair scope of flower farming for its villages around. The flower is major material that all shrines need at its various daily ceremonies/rituals. Flower of any region will also reflect regional identity. Flower as dried flower, garlands and as such can be used for marketing. It will be women employment source also.

Others: The other areas, which can farm market in shrines from local resources, are local metal bangles locate, seed garlands etc. All such material and craftsman are available all around major shrines and this is major employment source. Flowered candles for Christian will be a great offer.

Each region of this country is bestowed with a variety of bio resources. What lies ahead is the task of identifying these bio resources as per location and also at the same time creating a possible market taking religion in the context.

A few o the bio resources that can be connected to the market of faith are:
AROMATIC PLANTS: dhoopbatti, agarbatti, essence
FIBRE PLANTS: Carpets, mats, decor
RINGAL: baskets, mats, decor, incense sticks
FRUITS: squash, jam, jelly, pickle, offerings
FLOWERS: garlands, bouques, perfumes, incense, essence, squash, offerings
WOOD: idols, artifacts
MISCELLANEOUS: vermilion, dyes, textile, honey etc.

HESCO (Himalayan Environmental Studies and Conservation Organization)
HESCO is a group of Scientists, technologists, social workers and villagers, working since 1979 for the resource based rural development
Hesco in its essence is truly rural as it derives inspiration from the villages and devises solutions for their problems. It helps them to focus on their



economic and development needs and encourages them to tap local resources that open up new avenues to self- reliance. HESCO approached the above sites for the income generation and local resource use for the rural community.

CASE STUDIES:

I. BADRINATH AND GANGOTRI:
Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri are very pious shrines for Hindus. Each year these shrines are flocked by lakhs of people.

On April 26, 2004 Badrinath was opened for the pilgrims. Apart from the presiding deity, the star attraction was a group of tribal women, clad in black robes over their colorful kurtas singing traditional songs. They were carrying baskets with small packets of Prasad.

For years, 'Prasad' called batasha brought from the plains of north, were offered to the gods, HESCO mooted the idea of using locally available bio resources in making ‘prasad’ HESCO coordinated with CFTRI; Department of biotechnology of union Govt. Temple samities of Badrinath and Gangotri to actualize the plan. CFTRI, Mysore sent a protocol for the 'prasad', which was further modified by HESCO. Since the shrines were located at different altitudes, protocols for different regions varied.

The meetings were organized with Mahila Dals of villages. Initially it was launched in four villages of two districts. The details of villages are given in the table:

S.No.	Village	Block	District	Families	Caste
1	Saldhar	Joshimath	Chamoli	20	Tribe
2	Dangwal	Joshimath	Chomoli	25	SC
3	Mukhaba	Bhatwari	Uttarakashi	20	Brahmin and Rajput
4	Bonn	Bhatwari	Uttarakashi	20	SC
5	Mutra	Rudraprayag		20	Brahmin

Two activity i.e. Prasad and incense material have been prepared in two villages i.e. Saldhar and Mukhba. Ringal basket weaving is being carried out in Dangwar and Bonn

Prasad
Utilizing finger millet, barnyard millet,amaranthus and buckwheat for prasad making Helped the local community to a large extent as resources were within their access. Temple committee requested for some modification and a new protocol was also developed. The final prasad for Badrinath was prepared by utilizing buckwheat, amaranthus and barnyard millet. For Gongotri temple buckwheat, amarantus and rice flakes were utilized.

The Protocol






Incense sticks
The other inevitable offerings for worship are incense sticks. These were also not locally made whereas keeping in mind the wide range of biodiversity in the mountains; incense materials can be easily made using the locally available aromatic plants. A rough estimate reveals that about more than Rs. 1 lakh worth Incense sticks are sold in Badrinath alone. Women of the nearby villages were organised and trained in preparing incense sticks and cakes. The same was sold in Badrinath and Kedarnath market.

Ringal:
Ringal, the smaller variety of bamboo found n high altitudes is utilized in making prasad carriers. The baskets were made to replace the polythene bags. Ringal was also used to prepare artifacts.

Rudiya community is chiefly engaged in making baskets and other items using ringal.

	HIGH ALTITUDE	LOW ALTITUDE
Prasad	Amaranthus, buchwheat, local fruits	Soya bean, gram
Incense sticks	Cupressus torulosa Artimisia spp. Juniperus spp.	Eucalyptus spp. Artimisia spp. Tagetus erectus
Ringal	Arudinaria falcata Neyraudia arudinariya	Dendrocalamaus strictus Bambusa mutense.

II. VAISHNO DEVI SHRINE
The temple can be a major source of employment in any given region.

Unfortunately, This has not been much exercised in many important shrines except some charity activities .On the other hand , temple can offer a huge employment for local community in form of the offering to the god . In mountain areas , this possibility can immensely be tapped as many resources grow around shrines can be a part of daily offering to the God by pilgrims .

In case of famous shrines Vaishno Devi , the possibility of exploring employment through offering will have multiprong objectives

Generation of Employment
Use of local resources
Regional identity
In interest of pilgrims
Ecological promotion of resources

Prasad
In case of J&K, the maize, paddy and wheat are the major crop type and apple, walnut, amla apricot are the main fruits. The offering was prepared by utilizing these local crops and horticulture crops. The offering was in the form of laddu with the local dry fruits. The laddus were made up of maize flour, rice flour, wheat flour, were used in absence of farmer. Dry fruits like Almonds, Walnut, Elaichi powder and locally available fruits like apple, amlock etc. were mixed. The proposed protocol for the Prasad was prepared keeping the chief produces of the local area in mind Raw materials are processed as shown below.





The local community of the village named Parthal was involved for making prasad. The village comes in block Riyasi in district Udhampur. It comprises of 400 families with a representation of all castes. It is about 2km away from Katra, the market of Vaishno Devi.

Incense Material :
One of the major parts of the offerings is incense cake & stiks . These can be easily prepared locally through involvement of community . The incense materials with locally available herbs have good market value . Following aromatic plants are available in the region.

Lantana camara
Artemisia vulgaris
Tagets eracta

Basket
Prasad baskets can be one of the souveniers that can be given to pilgrims .The ecological products will be greatly appreciated by the community. Basket for carrying the Prasad can be made by utilizing Salix, Bamboo.

Community Development :
With the idea of involving community for maing above said products . The survey of one of the village has been done near Katra .The village name Parthal comes in block Riyasi in district Udampur.

The local community of the village named Parthal was involved for making prasad. The village comes in block Riyasi in district Udhampur. It comprises of 400 families with a representation of all castes. It is about 2km away from Katra. The main market of the village is Katra.

The major resources available in the village are :
Agriculture - Wheat, Paddy and Maize
Pulses - Urd
Horticulture - Citrus , Mango, Guava , amla
Other Biomass - Bhimal (Dhaman)
Bamboo
Euphorbia roylena
Lantana camera
Oil yielding Plants - Sarso
Til

Hesco team visited village Patthal and meeting was held with villagers to mobilize the community.The villagers were exposed to various local resource based scheme that can be introduced in village.

Turnover Around Different Shrines :

S. No.	Temples	Turnover
S. No.	Temple	Monthly	Yearly
1	Vaishnodevi	375000/-	45 lac
2	Shadra Sharif	33000/-	4 lac
3	ShivKhori	41500/-	5 lac
4	Badrinath	58000/-	7 lac
5	Gangotri	25000/-	3 lac

III. SHAHADRA SHARIF:
Shahadra Sharif is a holy shrine for the Muslims located in Jammu. It attracts lakhs of pilgrims every year. The Prasad offered chiefly consisted of saunf and a baked loaf. HESCO intervened and changed the menu of the edible offerings. It made loaf tastier and attractive so that it can become a commercial product too. Besides using local plants, incense sticks and cakes were also launched. Local carpenters were trained for designing the model of the shrine for tourist and pilgrims.

The major approach of the plan revokes around employment generation on local resources. The issue of high productivity consumption appropriate harvesting of the local resources can only be possible when it becomes sustainable source of the community. Prasad (offering) can become one such. The various materials that any shrine / pilgrimage require can be catered through local resources only and this will generate millions of Rupees of local revenue. Local employment, a major Indian problem will have a slight relief. Taking 1 / 2 million small / big shrines in the country and five trades in each with the involvement of 10 persons in each trade, 500 be tapped in the interest o local community around the shrines

S.no	Intervention Initated	Location	Prasad Before	Prasad after Intervention
Vaishno Devi	2005	J&k	Elaichi dana	Ladoos of local millets
Shiv Khori	2007	J&k	Batasha ,Elaichi dana	Ladoos with incence stick &basket
Shadra Sharif	2006	J&k	Saunf &baked loaf
Badrinath	2005	Uttarakhand	Batasha	Ladoos of local millets

SHIV KHORI :
Shiv Khori is famous cave shrine of Hindus devoted to lord shiva situated in district Reasi of Jammu & Kashmir state in India ,Shivg Khori is one of them Located in village Ransoo of Pauni block in Tehsil Reasi of Udhampur distt ,which attracts lacks of devotees in a year.

From the years the Prasad was Batasha ,elaichi dana and so on which was offered to the God , HESCO generated the idea of replacing the Prasad with the locally available resources which had taken a boom in the socio economic status of the residing community later.

Prasad :
ShivKhori was loaded with the lacks of pilgrims ,so from the years the Prasad was elaichi dana, batasha ,khil etc.With the idea of utilizing local resources the regular Prasad was replaced by the ladoos made up of available crops.

Prasad ie. Ladoos made of local crops
Incense material like: Incense sticks, Incense Cake and Hawan Samagri
Small baskets are to carry offering.
Other art objects as a souvenir

Prasad"as a source of Employment

Local resource use and promotion
Opportunity for skill development
Regional identity
All gender / cast concern

Resource Utilization :

S.no	Shrines	Utilized Resources for Prasad
1	Vaishnodevi	Maize flour, Rice flour, Wheat flour, Almonds, Walnut, Apple, Amlock
2	ShivKhori
3	Badrinath	Buckwheat, Amaranthus and Barnyard millet
4	Gangotri	Buckwheat, amarantus and rice flakes

Prasad Programme around the Country

S.no	Organization	Temples Covered	Location	Pilgrims	Prasad
1	HESCO	Vaishnodevi,Gangotri,Badrinath, Shadra sharif, Shiv Khori	Uttrakhand	In Lacks	Ladoos of local millets
2	Institute of Integrated Resource Management	Mahabhoirab temple, Haleswar temple, Ganesh temple, Bhoirabi temple, Nagshankar temple, Biswanath temple	Sonitpur,Assam	In Lacks	Ladoos of local millets
3	YUMDHA	Maha Maya Bala Sundri Temple, Chooreshawar Mahadev Temple, Maa Bhagyani Temple,Maa Renuka Temple	Sirmour,Nahan Himachal Pradesh	In Lacks	Ladoos of local millets
4	ATREE	Male Mahadeshwara, Biligiri Rangaswamay Temple,Nagamale, Alagarkoil	Chamarajanagar, Karnataka, Madurai	In Lacks	Ladoos of local millets
5	Social Welfare Centre	Lourdes Cathedral Church & Dolor’s Basilic Church	Thrussur	In Thousands	Candles for church
6	Kerala Agricultural University	Guruvayoor temple	Thrussur	In Thousands	Kazchakula, Kadali
7	Parivartan Vikas Sansthan	Kaliyar Sharif	Roorkee	In Thousands	Tabbaruk