The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has discovered Buddhist caves and stupas, and Brahmi inscriptions, dating back to the 2nd century, and Hindu temples from the 9th-11th centuries in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh.
Key points
- The ASI has also discovered possibly the world’s largest Varaha sculpture also dating to the same period at the Bandhavgarh.
- The Varaha sculpture is among the many monolithic sculptures of the 10 incarnations of Lord Vishnu discovered by the ASI at the national park.
- A total of 46 sculptures have come to light and have been reported.
- The ASI team discovered 26 mostly Buddhist caves dating back to the 2nd and 5th centuries.
- The caves and some of their remains had Chaitya [rounded] doors and stone beds typical of Mahayana Buddhism sites.
- Apart from this, the ASI team found 24 inscriptions in Brahmi text, all dating back to the 2nd-5th centuries.
- The inscriptions mention sites such as Mathura and Kaushambi, and Pavata, Vejabharada and Sapatanaairikaa.
- The inscriptions also mention kings include Bhimsena, Pothasiri and Bhattadeva.
- The remains of 26 temples date to the Kalachuri period between 9th and 11th centuries.
- In addition to this, two Saiva maths have also been documented.
- The Kalachuri dynasty, which spread over parts of Gujarat, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, is also associated with the earliest Ellora and Elephanta cave monuments.
- Some remains of the Gupta period, such as door jambs and carvings in caves, have also been found.
(Source: The Hindu)
