Loose Sculptures of Hindu (Saptamatrikas, Vinayagar, Lajja Gauri ), Jainism and Buddhist religions - Archaeological Museum, Aihole, Bagalkot District, Karnataka.

The visit to this Archaeological Museum at Aihole was a part of “Hampi, Badami, Pattadakal, Mahakuta and Aihole temples Heritage visit” organized by வரலாறு விரும்பிகள் சங்கம் Varalaru Virumbigal Sangam – VVS and எண்திசை வரலாற்று மரபு நடைக்குழு, between 24^th December to 28^th December 2022. I extend my sincere thanks to the organizers Mrs Radha and Mrs Nithya Senthil Kumar and Mr Senthil Kumar.

The legend of Aihole

The name Ayyavolal is derived from Aryavolal or Aryapura ( the valley of the elders ). In the local language, it is known as Aivalli /Aiholli.

As per the legend, Parashurama, after killing the kshatriya-s, is said to have washed his axe in the Malaprabha river. The waters of the river turned red due to blood, causing the people to exclaim, "Ai Holi" ( Ai, the river... !!! ). Hence the name Aiholi, which has got corrupted to the present name of Aihole.

The Archaeological Museum

The Archaeological Museum is located behind the Durga Temple, in the Durga temple complex. It was originally planned as a sculpture shed in 1970 to collect and exhibit the sculptures, inscriptions and architectural members found by way of exploration, excavation in and around Aihole. It was converted in to a full-fledged museum in the year 1987, and extended in the year 2000.

The collection in the Museum

The museum has a rich collection of sculptures belonging to the period of the Badami Chalukyas ( 543-757 CE ), the succeeding Rashtrakuta-s of Malkhed ( 757-950 CE ) and the Chalukya-s of Kalyana ( 950-1250 CE ). Jainism is represented by sculptures of Tirthankara, Yaksha and Yakshi. Yaksha and Yakshi are male and female deities attendant upon each Tirthankara.

Immediately in front of the entrance, is displayed the most beautiful sculpture of Kushmandi Yakshi, dated to late 7^th century CE. Kushmandi or Ambika, is a female attendant of Neminatha, the 22^nd Tirthankara. She is also known as Amra-yakshi. Here she is supposed to be sitting under a ( Amra ) mango tree. The leaves are similar to mango leaves but the shape of the fruit is unusual. She is worshipped as a mother goddess.

In course of developments in Jainism, Yaksha-s and Yakshi-s, assumed far greater importance, next only to that of the Tirthankaras. By the time  of the Badami Chalukya-s the religious practices had become complex enough to include worship of Yaksha-s and Yakshi-s also. In the western half of the Deccan, Jainism had grown deep roots. Evidence suggests that by middle of 4th century CE, Jainism was well established in Karnataka. The Ganga-s and the Kadamba-s had patronized Jainism.

There are two important Jaina edifices at Aihole. Jain temple on the Meguti hill, visible from far away. The sculpture of Kushmandi, kept in the museum, was brought from this temple. On the northern wall of this temple is an important inscription in Sanskrit ( dated 634 CE ) of minister and a Poet Ravikirti, in the reign of Pulakeshi-II. The minister, who must have been a poet of repute, compares himself with Kalidasa and Bharavi. Contemporary inscriptions prove that Sanskrit had achieved prominence, but Kannada Language had remained popular  among the people.

Dharanendra Yaksha, seated  with yoga patti, holding Mazhu and Pasa in the upper hands and a lotus in the lower hand, once belongs to this temple is now kept at Aihole Archaeological Museum. 

This splendid panel of Ambika showing goddess seated on a lion beneath a luxuriant mango tree in the company of attendants, one of whom holds a child, was originally installed in the temple vestibule / antarala. It is now displayed in Aihole Archaeological Museum

The Buddha image in gallery No. I, seated on a throne, in Padmasana, is from the two storyed, Buddhist temple at Aihole, which is situated near the steps, leading to the Meguti temple.

The numerous sculptures of Hindu religion represent various sects like Shaiva, Vaishnava, Saurya, Ganapatya, Skanda Kärti- keya, Hariti and Saptamartrikas.

The Shaiva images displayed in the museum are Bhikshatana Shiva, Nataraja, Ardhanarishvara, Gajasuravadha/ Gajasamharamurti, Veerabhadra and Parvati, Shiva's consort is represented as Mahishasuramardini.

Veerabhadra

Numerous individual images of seated Ganapati, found at Aihole, testify to a strong cult of the Gana- patya, who considered Ganapati as the supreme god.

The cult associated with Skanda-Kartikeya as Mahasena, the commander of the army of the gods, goes back to an early period. At Aihole, Kartikeya images have been mostly depicted on architectural members.

Skanda - Karthikeya 

A number of images of Saptamatṛikäs (seven divine mothers) have been found at Aihole. The seven mothers are Brahmani, Mäheshwari, Kaumari, Vaishnavi, Varahi, Indrani and Chamunda. They are accompanied by Shiva or Ganapathi on both sides. The worship of Saptamatrikas is associated with Shakti worship, the female principle in Tantrik form of Hinduism.

Mahishamardini 

 Mahishamardini 

Lajja Gauri Panel 

 Lajja Gauri

A separate cult of the Surya ( Sun worshipers ) must have been popular at Aihole. Images of Surya, holding lotus ( symbolic of the Sun in Hindu mythology ) in both the hands have been found. A shrine dedicated to Suryanarayana is situated very near to the Ladkhan temple, with a life size image of Surya.

Surya, holding lotus

Sculptures with upper body of a human and lower portion of a serpent, indicate a Näga cult of snake worshipers. Nagas are believed to reside in the underworld ( Pātāla ). Nägas are worshiped for fertility and child bearing.

Royal Patronage boosted the popularity of the  ancient Vedic religion and Vedic ceremonies like the Ashvamedha, Agnişthoma and Vajapeya sacrifices (Yajna).

Ref:

An Archaeological Survey of India Book let on Aihole Museum..

LOCATION OF THE MUSEUM : CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---