NLAM presents 13th episode of short video documentaries about traditional healers , ethno-medicine; local customs & cultures in India. These are made during excursions to heritage village and exclusive valleys to collect Vedic herbs and documenting traditional knowledge.
The name "Dronagiri" is of great significance in Indian culture. The Ramayana makes strong mention of it as the mountain lifted by Lord Hanuman and transported it to Lanka to procure the mystical Sanjeevani herb to revive Sri Laxmana. The mountain contained many miraculous herbs and Lord Hanumana was short of time to select the one required as instructed by the vaidya sage Sushena. This chain of events has been rooted in the traditions of locals of Dronagiri village who do not worship Lord Hanumana here as he uprooted their life giving mountain. Located at 3750 m (abmsl), Dronagiri is the highest inhabited village in the pristine Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve (NDBR). The village becomes desolate in winter and people leave for lower habitations.They leave their houses empty and food stocked (interestingly potatoes which do not get rancid even after 6-8 moths). They return in late May and only enter the houses after a ritual to ward off spirits. Being located at such inhospitable terrain and being cut for most parts with civilisation they have immense knowledge of herbs and harsh survival techniques. I hope going this journey opens up new perspective to less known land...
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