VELUDHARAN TEMPLES VISIT : March 2025

Saturday, March 29, 2025

Excavated remains of ancient Varanasi/ Old Rajghat Fort /ओल्ड राजघाट फोर्ट, Near Lal Khan Tomb, Rajghat, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.

The excavated Old Rajghat Fort is on the east side of the Lal Khan Tomb at Varanasi. This visit was a part of the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 Tour, between 05^th February and 08^th February 2025, organized by Mantra Yatra (website). Thanks to Mr. Balaji Davey and his team of Mantra Yatra for the excellent arrangement and personal care. We had not been to the site with excavation but happened to see from Rajghat. At present, the site is only with excavated trenches.

This site has been identified as the capital of the ancient Kashi Mahajanapada from archaeological excavations on the premises of Lal Khan Mazar. In 1940, during the construction of the Kashi Railway Station on the left bank of the Ganga, a large number of archaeological remains were found while digging in the soil. After this, the archaeological importance of this site was proved when Shri Krishna Dev of the Archaeological Survey of India conducted an archaeological excavation of this site for the first time. The structures found from the excavation are mainly residential. A seal with the inscription 'Varanasyadhishthanaadhikaranasya' engraved in Gupta period Brahmi has been found from this excavation, which means 'Seal of Varanasi City Administration'. Thereafter, a detailed excavation of this site was carried out between 1960 and 1969 under the guidance of Dr. A. K. Narayanan and Dr. T. N. Rai of Banaras Hindu University. Based on the archaeological remains obtained from the excavation, the antiquity of this site was proven to be between the 8th century BC (Mahajanapada period) and the 18th century CE. (Middle Ages) which has been divided into six cultural periods.

The site of Rajghat perhaps represents the ancient Kashi. This area has been one of the oldest settlement sites and still possesses its natural grove and old remains. Banaras Hindu University excavated this mound from 1960 to 1969, though a trial trench was taken in 1957. The excavations at Rajghat revealed artifacts dating back to the 8th century BCE and the 18th century CE.

LOCATION OF THE SITE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Thursday, March 27, 2025

Lal Khan Tomb/ Lal Khan Ka Rauja Udyaan/लाल खान का रौजा उद्यान, Tomb Rd, Near Adikeshav Mandir, Rajghat, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.

On the way to Rajghat, we happened to see the Lal Khan Tomb at Varanasi. This visit was a part of the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 Tour, between 05^th February and 08^th February 2025, organized by Mantra Yatra (website). Thanks to Mr. Balaji Davey and his team of Mantra Yatra for the excellent arrangement and personal care.

The tomb of Lal Khan is one of the Centrally Protected Monuments, situated on the left bank of the Ganga River near Malviya Bridge in the Rajghat region, Varanasi. It was built in 1773 CE by the rulers of Varanasi. Lal Khan was the minister/army commander of the former king of Kashi. He contributed to the extension and development of Kashi through his courage and heroism. In the last days of his life, the king of Kashi promised to fulfill his last wish. Lal Khan wished to see the gateway of the royal palace even after his death. King of Kashi honored his wish and buried him at Rajghat after the death of Lal Khan and built a splendid tomb there.

This tomb is located in the center of a rectangular garden. An octagonal stone canopy covers each corner of the garden. The main structure of the tomb is constructed on a high square platform. The outer walls of the tomb are decorated with three arched designs, in which the central arch is comparatively higher. Two doors are built on the west and south sides to enter the Tomb. The grand dome of the tomb is decorated with colored tilework. Four smaller canopies are also constructed in four corners of the dome. The grave of brave warrior Lal Khan is placed under the tomb. Two other members of his family are also buried under the tomb. The influence of Mughal architecture is clearly visible in the architectural style of this tomb.

LOCATION OF THE TOMB: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Tuesday, March 25, 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.