VELUDHARAN TEMPLES VISIT

Tuesday, 25 March 2025

State Museum Bhopal/स्टेट म्यूज़ियम भोपाल, 8, Shyamla Hills Rd, TT Nagar, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.

The visit to this State Archaeological Museum of Madhya Pradesh at Bhopal was a part of the “Bhopal, Udayagiri Rock Cut Caves, Bhimbetka Rock Shelters, Sanchi, Bhojpur, and Khajuraho – of Madhya Pradesh Heritage Walk” organized by the எண்திசை வரலாற்று மரபுநடைக்குழு, between 25^th and 28^th December 2024.

Masterpieces of Madhya Pradesh

'Masterpieces of Madhya Pradesh is an attempt to, present some of the best sculptural pieces of the land before you. From the days of the folk-based artistic endeavours under the Sungas to the classicist Guptas, and the subsequent changes and continuities in theme and decoration under the Pratiharas, Kalachuris, Paramaras, Chandelas and Kachhapaghatas as the feudal society with its distinctive social codes, beliefs and behavioural styles developed, the journey of the sculptural art has been shown thematically. Changes in the pattern and style of patronage, the opulence and ostentatious pleasure-seeking culture of feudal society, the increasing popularity of Vaishnavism and Shaivism and the decline and absorption of Buddhism within the Hindu pantheon, the growing importance of Shakti cult and tantricism in certain regions have all formed the structural context within which art styles under particular dynasties developed its idioms and norms. The place of acquisition of the specific sculpture has been given to help students and research scholars.

VYOMA PATTA or ANTARIKSHA PATTA or DIKMANDAL OF CHANDELA PERIOD - 11^th Century.

A unique circular sandstone relief from Chattarpur in Madhya Pradesh, assigned to the 11th Century period is exhibited in the State Museum of Bhopal. The central portion of the circle is left plain with no patterns, considered as Akash and around this plain circle are shown the Zodiac signs or the 12 Rasi Mandals, 27 Nakshatras, Surya, Chandra, Navagrahas with their vahanas, Aswini Kumaras, Ashta Vasus, Maha Vishnu, Surya with Usha, Maha Vishnu, Sapta Rishis, Trsnghu Swargaloka, etc, in three concentric circles. (Interpretation by Dr. Ravichandran, Coimbatore).

SURYA

Right from the Vedic period Surya has secured a prominent position among the Brahmanic ideites. In art, he has usually been shown on a chariot drawn by seven horses or in standing posture with his charioteer Aruna and consorts Uşha and Pratyuşa. However, the bronze sculpture from Sagar depicts only Usha and Pratyusa; Aruna has been replaced by a female deity. The rays are sparkling from his prabha mandala. The sculpture is produced by the moulding technique.