Remains of 0th century temple discovered

Tue, Apr 8 12:40 AM

A TEACHER of Allahabad University's (AU) Department of Ancient History, Culture and Archaeology, Dr DP Dubey, has discovered remains of a 10th century temple scattered in village Hathigan near Purva Khas in Karchana, around 22km from the city. Following a detailed survey and a study of the remains, Dr Dubey is convinced the remains are the remnants of a magnificent 10th century Temple of Lord Vishnu that needs to be immediately salvaged and preserved for the coming generations.

"There are many architectural fragments that are lying scattered in the village, all belonging to the temple that once existed in the village. Some of these rare and priceless fragments are being used as rest places or stone rests for washing utensils by the locals," said Dr Dubey.

He said the plinth of the temple of which only half is above the ground and visible to the naked eye is truly worth preserving. "With the invaders having destroyed temples during the time, it is indeed rare that a beautifully carved plinth is still existing," he added.

Dr Dubey said a study of the fragments leads one to believe that a Nagar-type spiral temple existed in the village, a fact that get strength from the small 'Andalakas' present in the village. "Important and rare beautifully carved 'Bharwahak (load-bearing) architectural pieces can also be found lying by the Northern side of the existing ruins of the temple.

There are also a number of fragments having stencilled designs that can be found in the nearby houses of the local villages," he added. Dr Dubey said that a study of the stencilled designs shows that the temple was not of a period later them the 10th century or the late Prathihar period.

He said that many fragments and remains have various incarnations of Lord Vishnu including Narsingh, Varah and Vama carved on them. "The fact that Jhunsi area was the capital of North India during the late Prathihar period and that a number of Lord Vishnu temples existed during the time gives strength to the believe that the temple in Hathigan village was indeed that of Lord Vishnu," he added.

Dr Dubey said that locals confess that many a historical and beautiful archaeological pieces have disappeared from the village during the past decade and the remains are getting damaged due to the construction of a road that is passing very close to the place where the temple ruins exist. "I am writing to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the UP Directorate of Archaeology to take immediate notice of the remains and begin salvage and preservation operation in association with Allahabad University," he said.

Inside News

Editor s picks