What We Can Learn From Western Culture Part III: Protecting Heritage

Almost a decade back, I was in Manila Devi, a very old temple of Goddess in the interior part of Almora District . Local residents told me that this is roughly three and half thousand years old. Their claim was confirmed by a plaque fixed by Archeological Survey of india.I saw the idol with closer scrutiny, it was not difficult to make out that the original idol must have stolen long back and what we see there is a poor imitation installed overnight. There was no security inside or outside the temple complex, that means  'Sab kuch Ram bharose'. 

this kind of defacement is a common site

unique way to express love by defacing historical monuments

Then I had been to Agra, which profess world's most revered temple of love Taj Mahal and Redfort. I was shocked to see that places were full of names of lovers inscribed in different languages, shapes, sizes. It is Okay to express your love for your beloved but  would it be worthwhile to do so at the cost of defacing India's cultural landmarks and historical monuments?  The situation is no better at so many protected monuments. Situation is worst at old temples, where restoration took place or some additional infrastructure is added, if a person donated even few  bricks,  he want to see his entire clan's name inscribed on the temple wall !

And ofcourse, there are number of heritage structures in remote part of the country, demolished overnight and people have constructed residences. Not to talk of thousands of idols stolen from heritage sites.

This is happening in a country, who never feel tired of talking about its thousands year old rich heritage. This is happening in the country where some zealots have almost fought almost a holy war to take possession of only one shrine and conveniently never talked about so many holy structures whose columns, doors, idols, paintings were allowed to smuggle to other countries and they are now part of many museums and private collections across the globe.

Now let us see how they have taken care of their heritage.

The entire history of settlement in the American continent is less then 300 years old but they have preserved their old structures with utmost respect and care, besides of being proud of it, they share with new generation as well as the visitors.

Six years back, I was in Washington DC and visited fashionable area called George Town.My host insisted me to visit Old Stone House. It is the oldest unchanged building in the area.

It is also Washington's last Pre-Revoltionary colonial building on its original foundation. Built in 1765, Old Stone House is located at 3051, M Street, Northwest. Unlike many Colonial homes in the area, sentimental local folklores preserved the Old Stone House from being demolished. They have preserved each and every item used by the owner that includes his kitchen wares, personal wardrobe, utencils. I remained there for about two hours, in between few hundred visitors mostly younger were there but none of them tried to record his presence by inscribing their name(s) any where. !

preserved old stone house with love and care

Yesterday, I was in the historic part of Issaquah town. The first white settler came here in the year around 1860 from the east side traveling the wild and rough terrains, during those days covering distance might have taken them almost a year or so. In the high hills full of cougars, wild bears and other dangerous beasts, it was really commendable for them to start flourishing farm, mine and lumber business. By 1889, they were able to construct rail road and start regular goods and passenger service. The train service ceased its operations long back, but the city has still preserved that heritage. Issaquah rail depot is now their historical monument. The railway track, station master's room, telegraph office, trolleys, engine, few coaches have carefully preserved and the entire area is now a historical museum !

Rail Road Station can also be a heritage site

Similarly the old castles in the dense forests of European countries are preserved as slice of their heritage. Even if a part of the castle is converted in hotel, it is always ensured that the period furniture, room decor is 
replicated .

These castles are painstakingly maintained and preserved 

These castles excite tourists, Medieval fortresses are rotting away on hilltops from Ireland to Scotland, from Sweden to Spain, lining the Loire and guarding harbors throughout the Mediterranean. From the west coast of Portugal to the crusader city of Rhodes, you'll find castle thrills lurking in every direction.

Tourists stroll inside the ramparts to see what life was really like in those places their  bedtime fairy tales reserved for fairy princesses and Prince Charmings. 

Many countryside castles were  not constructed as palaces for princes, but as armored bunkers to protect landowners, their harvest, hired hands.

Can we learn a lesson or two ?