Belief in local deities reinforced in Kotrupi

SHIMLA: As geologists probe reasons that triggered the massive landslide in Kotrupi village, the disaster has reinforced belief of people in the local deities.

Villages, downhill Seraj Baghla mountainous terrain, have been hit by landslide not once, but thrice since 1977. “I feel that local deities are annoyed over certain things. It’s astonishing that the area experiences landslide after every two decades, first in 1977, then in 1997 and now,” said Lekhram, member of a local temple committee.

“We will consult principal deity Hurlung Narayan, who is chief deity in the area. We will invoke Bhumi mata to ascertain the reasons for its wrath,” he added. “The scientists who are camping here should explain how this phenomenon of slipping of land occurs only after twenty years,” he said.

Geologists camping at Kotrupi village have claimed that the existence of weak rocks, lose soil and seepage of water inside cracks are the reasons mainly responsible for the incident. At least 45 people died in a massive landslide on the Mandi-Pathankot National Highway

at Kotrupi village on Saturday night. Two buses and some private vehicles were buried in the debris.

There are a few who believe that deity in Pashakot is unhappy the way nature is being exploited by the locals for their needs.

Speaking to HT over phone, Urla panchayat Up Pradhan Puran Chand said, “The present landslide appears to be wrath of local deities. We will consult them through the oracles once situation in the villages hit by the landslide begins to normalise.” “The hilly portion above villages had begun to develop cracks long back, but no one realised the intensity would be so severe,” Chand added.