Buddhist Caves and Temples found in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve

Buddhist Caves and Temples found in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve

Subject: Art and Culture

Context:

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has reported Buddhist caves and stupas, and Brahmi inscriptions, dating back to the 2nd century, and Hindu temples from the 9th-11th centuries, and possibly the world’s largest Varaha sculpture in Madhya Pradesh’s Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve following an exploration exercise between May and June this year.

Findings of the exploration:

• The Varaha sculpture, possibly the world’s largest, is among the many monolithic sculptures of the 10 incarnations of Lord Vishnu that were discovered by an ASI at the national park earlier this year.
• The 26 caves were mostly Buddhist 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
• 24 inscriptions in Brahmi text, all dating back to the 2nd and 5th centuries. The inscriptions mention sites such as Mathura and Kaushambi, and Pavata, Vejabharada and Sapatanaairikaa. The kings they mention include Bhimsena, Pothasiri and Bhattadeva.
• The remains of 26 temples date to the Kalachuri period between 9th-11th centuries. In addition to this, two Saiva mutts 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.
• Forty-six sculptures and 19 waterbodies have also been excavated, all built between the 2nd and 15th century,