Guest guest Posted February 25, 2009 Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/2000-yr-old-Shiva-shrine-found-in-UP/ar\ ticleshow/4172761.cms 2000-yr-old Shiva shrine found 23 Feb 2009, 0327 hrs IST, Shailvee Sharda, TNN LUCKNOW: Believed to be among the oldest brick shrines in India, Lucknow University's department of ancient Indian history and archaeology has unearthed a 2,000-year-old Shiva temple as part of its excavation project recently in Uttar Pradesh's Unnao district. Image: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/thumb.cms?msid=4172915 & width=200 & resizemode=4 2000-yr-old Shiva shrine found Shiva temple unearthed by a team from Lucknow University's ancient Indian history and archaeology department (TOI) More Pictures: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/slideshow/4172915.cms?imw=460 ``It's actually a complex comprising five temples,'' Prof D P Tewari of the Lucknow University said. ``While four temples belong to the Kushana period (1st-3rd century AD or 2,000 years ago), it appears that the primary temple was constructed during the Sunga period (2nd century BC to 1st century AD or 2,200 years ago).'' The temple site is a mound in Sanchankot in Unnao. The excavations have been going on since 2004, when UGC cleared the project for funding. ``A lot of things have come to fore since we began, but the temple complex has suddenly given impetus to our research,'' said Prof Tewari. Spread across an area of 600 acres, the temple is made of baked bricks. In India, most of the brick temples were built in the Gupta period which existed in the fourth century AD. The temple's architecture is `apsidal' (semi-circular or u-shaped) in nature. The LU has many artifacts to conclude that Lord Shiva was worshipped in this temple. Prof Tewari said, ``A terracotta seal bearing the legend of `Kaalanjar peeth' in Brahmi script was found from the site in Dec 2008.'' A shivling, trishul, nandi bull, and a river are inscribed over the seal. The legend of `Kaalanjar peeth' is inscribed just below the river. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 26, 2009 Report Share Posted February 26, 2009 It is an important finfing of great religio-cultural as wellas architectural significance. The mound of Sanchankot is a real treasure trove for archaelogists. I will like to congratulate the team of archaeologists headed by Prof. DP Tewari for this extra ordinary finding. Vibha Tripathi Dept. of AIHC & Arch. Banaras Hindu University On 2/26/09, Raghu Rao <raoraghus wrote: > http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/2000-yr-old-Shiva-shrine-found-in-UP/ar\ ticleshow/4172761.cms > > 2000-yr-old Shiva shrine found > 23 Feb 2009, 0327 hrs IST, Shailvee Sharda, TNN > > LUCKNOW: Believed to be among the oldest brick shrines in India, > Lucknow University's department of ancient Indian history and > archaeology has unearthed a 2,000-year-old Shiva temple as part of its > excavation project recently in Uttar Pradesh's Unnao district. > > Image: > http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/thumb.cms?msid=4172915 & width=200 & resizemode=4 > 2000-yr-old Shiva shrine found > Shiva temple unearthed by a team from Lucknow University's ancient > Indian history and archaeology department (TOI) > More Pictures: > http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/slideshow/4172915.cms?imw=460 > > ``It's actually a complex comprising five temples,'' Prof D P Tewari > of the Lucknow University said. ``While four temples belong to the > Kushana period (1st-3rd century AD or 2,000 years ago), it appears > that the primary temple was constructed during the Sunga period (2nd > century BC to 1st century AD or 2,200 years ago).'' > > The temple site is a mound in Sanchankot in Unnao. The excavations > have been going on since 2004, when UGC cleared the project for > funding. ``A lot of things have come to fore since we began, but the > temple complex has suddenly given impetus to our research,'' said Prof > Tewari. > > Spread across an area of 600 acres, the temple is made of baked > bricks. In India, most of the brick temples were built in the Gupta > period which existed in the fourth century AD. The temple's > architecture is `apsidal' (semi-circular or u-shaped) in nature. > > The LU has many artifacts to conclude that Lord Shiva was worshipped > in this temple. Prof Tewari said, ``A terracotta seal bearing the > legend of `Kaalanjar peeth' in Brahmi script was found from the site > in Dec 2008.'' > > A shivling, trishul, nandi bull, and a river are inscribed over the > seal. The legend of `Kaalanjar peeth' is inscribed just below the river. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 26, 2009 Report Share Posted February 26, 2009 Dear group members, Please join me in congratulating Sri ( Prof ) D P Tewari, who is a revered member of this group, for this great finding of mound of Sancharkot. I hope we will have the benefit of hearing from him his personal experience and expert comments. best regards, Kishore patnaik On Thu, Feb 26, 2009 at 2:44 PM, Vibha Tripathi <vibhahist wrote: It is an important finfing of great religio-cultural as wellas architectural significance. The mound of Sanchankot is a real treasure trove for archaelogists. I will like to congratulate the team of archaeologists headed by Prof. DP Tewari for this extra ordinary finding. Vibha Tripathi Dept. of AIHC & Arch. Banaras Hindu University On 2/26/09, Raghu Rao <raoraghus wrote: > http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/2000-yr-old-Shiva-shrine-found-in-UP/articleshow/4172761.cms > > 2000-yr-old Shiva shrine found > 23 Feb 2009, 0327 hrs IST, Shailvee Sharda, TNN > > LUCKNOW: Believed to be among the oldest brick shrines in India, > Lucknow University's department of ancient Indian history and > archaeology has unearthed a 2,000-year-old Shiva temple as part of its > excavation project recently in Uttar Pradesh's Unnao district. > > Image: > http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/thumb.cms?msid=4172915 & width=200 & resizemode=4 > 2000-yr-old Shiva shrine found > Shiva temple unearthed by a team from Lucknow University's ancient > Indian history and archaeology department (TOI) > More Pictures: > http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/slideshow/4172915.cms?imw=460 > > ``It's actually a complex comprising five temples,'' Prof D P Tewari > of the Lucknow University said. ``While four temples belong to the > Kushana period (1st-3rd century AD or 2,000 years ago), it appears > that the primary temple was constructed during the Sunga period (2nd > century BC to 1st century AD or 2,200 years ago).'' > > The temple site is a mound in Sanchankot in Unnao. The excavations > have been going on since 2004, when UGC cleared the project for > funding. ``A lot of things have come to fore since we began, but the > temple complex has suddenly given impetus to our research,'' said Prof > Tewari. > > Spread across an area of 600 acres, the temple is made of baked > bricks. In India, most of the brick temples were built in the Gupta > period which existed in the fourth century AD. The temple's > architecture is `apsidal' (semi-circular or u-shaped) in nature. > > The LU has many artifacts to conclude that Lord Shiva was worshipped > in this temple. Prof Tewari said, ``A terracotta seal bearing the > legend of `Kaalanjar peeth' in Brahmi script was found from the site > in Dec 2008.'' > > A shivling, trishul, nandi bull, and a river are inscribed over the > seal. The legend of `Kaalanjar peeth' is inscribed just below the river. > > > -- Should you find yourself the victim of other people’s bitterness, ignorance, smallness or insecurities, remember things could have been worse – you could be one of them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 1, 2009 Report Share Posted March 1, 2009 ---------- Forwarded message ----------doris srinivasan Sat, Feb 28, 2009 at 10:50 PMRe: 2000-yr-old Shiva shrine found in UP kishore patnaik <kishorepatnaik09 Dear Kishore :Here are some references, but the only study I know specifically of Skanda /Karttikeya in the north is my own and my paper, given below is broader in both scope and date : 1. Pran Gopal Paul, Early Sculpture of Kashmir, Leiden, 1986.2. John Siudmak, " Visnu in the Sculptural Art of Kashmir " , Orientations 38, # 7, 2007, 54 - 62. This author writes a lot on Kashmir ; I believe he is a dealer . 3. P. K. Agrawala, The Cult of Skanda-Karttikeya , A Study in Origins and Development, Varanasi, 1967.4. Pratapaditya Pal, The Arts of Kashmir , 2008. 5. same , Kashmir Bronzes, 1972.6. Doris M. Srinivasan , " Skanda/ Karttikeya in the Early Art of the Northwest " , Silk Road Art and Archaeology Vol. 5, 1997/8, pp. 95 - 117 . 7. same " Hindu Deities in Gandharan Art " , Gandhara . The Buddhist Heritage of Pakistan ( Exhibition Catalogue), Mainz, 2008 , pp. 130 -134 . The essay cites a new iconographic find for Skanda/kKarttikeya I have copied that section of my essay - below.Skanda/Karttikeya is well represented in Gandharan art because he melds smoothly and experiencially into the world view of the ancient Northwest. He is seen as basically an aggressive divinity whose martial traits characterize both his imagery as well as the bellicose Northwestern culture which depicts him . Gandharan artists picture him as a warrior and dress him like a foreign, western soldier. That is how he is represented emanating from the seated Bodhisattva, noted above . ( Pl. I ).The haloed god wears a turban and a coat of mail over an undergarment. He holds a spear in his right hand and a cock in his left hand , poised at the waist. Single images of this god can be found throughout Gandhara attesting to the broad appeal of his worship . More of his icons than any other Hindu god can be identified in the art of the Northwest. About a decade ago, 24 Skanda/Karttikaya images dated between the 1st through 7th century could be counted ( Srinivasan ,SRAA, 252 ) . And more are continuing to come to light , including an important sculpture described below ( Pl. 6). In these, he sometimes carries additional weapons such as the bow and arrows , and he may sometimes wear a helmet , plus leggings or sandals on his feet. Despite slight variations in weaponry, footgear, or headgear, it is easy to spot an early Gandharan image of Skanda /Karttikeya . No other deity has both a spear and a cock as emblems. Why would a warrior hold a cock? Cocks jump with agility when fighting and this habit is emblematic of the military prowess befitting a Warrior God. It is also a characteristic of the original nature of this god who may have initially been a folk deity . Later Gandharan images of Skanda / Karttikeya portray him less as a warrior and more as the youthful commander of the army of the gods. This portrayal , under the influence of earlier Mathura depictions , does not occur in Gandhara until around 400 years after the Kushan images. Noteworthy is that Gandharan representations of this god start from the Kushan Period and continue in the region. Post - Kushan icons of Skanda/Karttikeya , both as Warrior God and as Youthful Commander show iconographic features which reflect interactions between Gandhara and India . Artistic influences went in both directions. The sculpture of Skanda/Karttikeya , the Warrior , seated assertively on his vahana, the peacock ( Pl.5 ) , clearly combines his Gandharan type of dress, headgear and weaponry with early Gupta developments . The god on the peacock whose feathers spread out behind him , reminds of the majestic version developed in the Gupta art ( see Williams, Gupta India , #103). It is true that already in the late-to-post Kushan period , the peacock appears in Gandharan images of Skanda/Karttikeya . But the flourish of feathers around a god seated boldly on his vahana probably owes inspiration to the beautiful coinage of the Gupta king Kumara (415-454 ) , who favoured this god and minted an exqusite coin of Skanda on the peacock ( see Stoler Miller , Powers, Fig. 10) .Thus, the Gandharan relief,perhaps of the early 5th century A.D., shows southerly influence while maintaining an indigenous emphasis on the might and prowess of the Warrior God. The mighty Warrior God swings into action in one truely remarkable Gandharan relief ( Pl.6) . It shows Skanda/Karttikeya victorious over a demonic foe with an animal head . The foe lies vanquished beneath the striding conqueror. Haloed Skanda/Karttikeya displays his standard dress and weaponry . What is unique in this relief is the subject matter . Skanda/Karttikeya has just subdued the buffalo demon , the Asura Mahisa . The feat is well known in art and literature where it is ascribed to Durga, an aspect of the Great Goddess, Devi. Indeed the well known epithet of the Goddess , Mahisasuramardini , commemorates her killing the Asura Mahisa. Less well known is that this feat was first performed by the Warrior God . A passage in the Mahabharata attributes the slaying of Mahisa to Skanda/Karttikeya ( see Srinivasan , Many Heads , pp. 302-3). The goddess’s action, it seems, is a later interpolation in the Mahabharata. But until Christian Luczanits recently found this relief in the Peshawar Museum , no visual example illustrating Skanda’s deed was known. It is significant that the depiction comes from Gandhara and not Mathura, which was, after all, the main seedbed for the development of Hindu iconography including that of the Warrior Goddess fighting the buffalo demon. Indeed, in Kushan images from Mathura , the death of the demon by the Goddess is rendered less as an actual slaying with weapons and more as a throttle , possibly a ( ritual?) strangulation. Not until 5th century Gupta art is the Goddess’s throttle dispensed with and she is shown slaying the demon with lethal weaponry while her foot pins him down. This Gandharan relief is therefore remarkable not only because, to-date, it is the first example of Skanda’s victory over Mahisa , but also because it fills the gap between Kushan and Gupta portrayals of Mahisasuramardini. Here is an instance where Gupta Hindu art adopted imagery developed in Gandharan art of the Northwest . Best regards,Doris On Feb 28, 2009, at 6:55 AM, kishore patnaik wrote: Dear Doris, How are you? Can you please point me some references on iconography in Kashmir? I am specifically looking for Kartikeyan in Kashmir around the turn of the era or before. best regards, Kishore patnaik - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 1, 2009 Report Share Posted March 1, 2009 Dear Professor Tewari Sir, Please accept my personal congratulations on your great find. Can you please send me the photographs of any siva images obtained from the site,either by e mail or post? thanks in advance and congrats once again, best regards,Kishore patnaik On Thu, Feb 26, 2009 at 1:33 AM, Raghu Rao <raoraghus wrote: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/2000-yr-old-Shiva-shrine-found-in-UP/articleshow/4172761.cms 2000-yr-old Shiva shrine found 23 Feb 2009, 0327 hrs IST, Shailvee Sharda, TNN LUCKNOW: Believed to be among the oldest brick shrines in India, Lucknow University's department of ancient Indian history and archaeology has unearthed a 2,000-year-old Shiva temple as part of its excavation project recently in Uttar Pradesh's Unnao district. Image: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/thumb.cms?msid=4172915 & width=200 & resizemode=4 2000-yr-old Shiva shrine found Shiva temple unearthed by a team from Lucknow University's ancient Indian history and archaeology department (TOI) More Pictures: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/slideshow/4172915.cms?imw=460 ``It's actually a complex comprising five temples,'' Prof D P Tewari of the Lucknow University said. ``While four temples belong to the Kushana period (1st-3rd century AD or 2,000 years ago), it appears that the primary temple was constructed during the Sunga period (2nd century BC to 1st century AD or 2,200 years ago).'' The temple site is a mound in Sanchankot in Unnao. The excavations have been going on since 2004, when UGC cleared the project for funding. ``A lot of things have come to fore since we began, but the temple complex has suddenly given impetus to our research,'' said Prof Tewari. Spread across an area of 600 acres, the temple is made of baked bricks. In India, most of the brick temples were built in the Gupta period which existed in the fourth century AD. The temple's architecture is `apsidal' (semi-circular or u-shaped) in nature. The LU has many artifacts to conclude that Lord Shiva was worshipped in this temple. Prof Tewari said, ``A terracotta seal bearing the legend of `Kaalanjar peeth' in Brahmi script was found from the site in Dec 2008.'' A shivling, trishul, nandi bull, and a river are inscribed over the seal. The legend of `Kaalanjar peeth' is inscribed just below the river. -- Should you find yourself the victim of other people’s bitterness, ignorance, smallness or insecurities, remember things could have been worse – you could be one of them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 3, 2009 Report Share Posted March 3, 2009 Thanks to all of you for showing interest on the findings of Sanchankot excavations,specially on the temple complex as printed in Times of India. Regards D.P.Tewari On 2/26/09, kishore patnaik <kishorepatnaik09 wrote: > Dear group members, > > Please join me in congratulating Sri ( Prof ) D P Tewari, who is a revered > member of this group, for this great finding of mound of Sancharkot. > > I hope we will have the benefit of hearing from him his personal experience > and expert comments. > > best regards, > > Kishore patnaik > > On Thu, Feb 26, 2009 at 2:44 PM, Vibha Tripathi <vibhahist wrote: > >> It is an important finfing of great religio-cultural as wellas >> architectural significance. The mound of Sanchankot is a real treasure >> trove for archaelogists. I will like to congratulate the team of >> archaeologists headed by Prof. DP Tewari for this extra ordinary >> finding. >> Vibha Tripathi >> Dept. of AIHC & Arch. >> Banaras Hindu University >> >> >> On 2/26/09, Raghu Rao <raoraghus <raoraghus%40gmail.com>> wrote: >> > >> http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/2000-yr-old-Shiva-shrine-found-in-UP/ar\ ticleshow/4172761.cms >> > >> > 2000-yr-old Shiva shrine found >> > 23 Feb 2009, 0327 hrs IST, Shailvee Sharda, TNN >> > >> > LUCKNOW: Believed to be among the oldest brick shrines in India, >> > Lucknow University's department of ancient Indian history and >> > archaeology has unearthed a 2,000-year-old Shiva temple as part of its >> > excavation project recently in Uttar Pradesh's Unnao district. >> > >> > Image: >> > >> http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/thumb.cms?msid=4172915 & width=200 & resizemode=4 >> > 2000-yr-old Shiva shrine found >> > Shiva temple unearthed by a team from Lucknow University's ancient >> > Indian history and archaeology department (TOI) >> > More Pictures: >> > http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/slideshow/4172915.cms?imw=460 >> > >> > ``It's actually a complex comprising five temples,'' Prof D P Tewari >> > of the Lucknow University said. ``While four temples belong to the >> > Kushana period (1st-3rd century AD or 2,000 years ago), it appears >> > that the primary temple was constructed during the Sunga period (2nd >> > century BC to 1st century AD or 2,200 years ago).'' >> > >> > The temple site is a mound in Sanchankot in Unnao. The excavations >> > have been going on since 2004, when UGC cleared the project for >> > funding. ``A lot of things have come to fore since we began, but the >> > temple complex has suddenly given impetus to our research,'' said Prof >> > Tewari. >> > >> > Spread across an area of 600 acres, the temple is made of baked >> > bricks. In India, most of the brick temples were built in the Gupta >> > period which existed in the fourth century AD. The temple's >> > architecture is `apsidal' (semi-circular or u-shaped) in nature. >> > >> > The LU has many artifacts to conclude that Lord Shiva was worshipped >> > in this temple. Prof Tewari said, ``A terracotta seal bearing the >> > legend of `Kaalanjar peeth' in Brahmi script was found from the site >> > in Dec 2008.'' >> > >> > A shivling, trishul, nandi bull, and a river are inscribed over the >> > seal. The legend of `Kaalanjar peeth' is inscribed just below the river. >> > >> > >> > >> >> > > > > -- > Should you find yourself the victim of other people’s bitterness, ignorance, > smallness or insecurities, remember things could have been worse – you could > be one of them! > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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