DEHRADUN: Ganga Ram , the royal carpenter , who rebuilt the marvel of wooden architecture Mahasu Devta Hanol temple in Chakrata in 2003 over a period of 10 years, breathed his last on Saturday. Mahasu Devta is considered the chief deity (Kul devta) of Jaunsar region. Ram, a resident of Chinwan village of Uttarkashi, is also credited to have built several Jaunsari temples in his life time. There are quite a few left from the Raj mistri families in the state who continue to build these temples with the given parameters of carving and designs in the state.Lokesh Ohri, anthropologist, said, “It is sad that Ganga Ram, the magical architect guru also known as Jhuniya Baba for his spiritual prowess, died. How long will the state allow its gems like Ganga Ram die unsung and unappreciated? Not many skilled and interested artisans are left to continue this beautiful tradition of building Jaunsari temples with intricate stone and wood work with magnificent carving.”Roshan Ram, his son, recalled that it was in 1993, the top and entrance part of the Mahasu Devta temple, which was built in 9th century, had come down. Ganga Ram was handed over the task to rebuilt. As per tradition, he neither shaved nor got hair cut for a period of 10 year when the temple work was ongoing. When it was completed, around 54 deities were brought from all over the state and Himachal Pardesh for seven-day long celebration which started from May 22 and ended on the day of establishment of deity in the sancto-sanctrum. He said that the villagers gave his father a sum of Rs three lakh and five tolas of gold as remuneration.Chand Ram Rajguru, member of Hanol temple committee, said, “The Mahasu Devta temple and other Jaunsari temples are built in Nagar style of architecture. Under this style, corners are quite close to each other. For example in Mahasu Devta temple, there are 32 corners. The paste of Urad lentil is also used among the building material. There are usually three umbrella shaped top with wooden bells on the edges and three-four entrance gates. The wooden carving on walls and entrance gates presents the images from Mahabharta period and Lord Shiva’s life.”He said that only deodar wood along with rectangular shaped stones is used to make these temples, more so because of its inherent qualities of being pest-deterrent and longevity. “Despite the ban on cutting deodar trees, forest department is law bound to give five to six deodar trees to each village of Jaunsar region every year ever since it was declared tribal region by Government of India in 1966. So now people donate deodar to build temples on their behalf. However, this traditional art of temple making is on decline as the young generation is no longer interested to undertake this painstaking long and less rewarding work. “ he said.

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