Kesariya: Tallest buddhist Stupa

Kesaria Stupa Bihar / Wikimedia Commons

A famous Buddhists sites in the East Champaran district of Bihar, Kesaria (Kesariya) is home to a imposing Stupa, excavated here in 1998 by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).  

This striking architectural remain of ancient India is hailed as the largest stupa in the world. Stupa is generally a mound commemorating the Buddha’s death. These stupas are revered by the Buddhists. Several stupas were raised by the great 3nd BC Mauryan emperor Ashoka throughout India.

Kesaria stupa / Wikimedia Commons

With a circumference of almost 400 feet and height of 104 feet, this colossal structure eclipses Indonesia's Borobodur stupa in size. Located in a serene ambience, the largest Buddhist Stupa is a testimony to the greatness of the ancient Buddhist architecture and stands out as a worthy emblem of a great religion.

History of Mandu

Located at an altitude of 2000 feet, the fortress town of Mandu in Madhya Pradesh is perched on the southwestern edge of the Malwa Plateau.  The place boasts an exciting array of architectural wonders such as Jahaz Mahal, Hindola Mahal and Hoshang Shah’s Tomb. Baz Bahadur’s Palace, Roopmati’s Pavilion.

An ancient place, Mandu came under the control of Rajput Paramara dynasty. It was included in the Delhi Sultanate by the Khilji Sutan Alauddin Khilji.  Later it was made capital of the Malwa Sultanate by its ruler Hoshang Shah (ruled 1405–34).

                                              Hoshang Shah's Tomb Mandu | Wikimedia Commons

Mandu was annexed by Mughal emperor Humayun (1534), Shēr Shah of Sūr Dynasty (1542) and Akbar (1561).

Nahar Jharokha Mandu / Wikimedia Commons

It came under the Marathas suzerainty in 1732 under Peshwa Baji Rao I.

History of Chunar

Oriel Window, Chunar Fort  / Image Credit 

Chunar, about 25 miles south-west of Varanasi, is in Mirzapur district of Uttar Pradesh. History weighs on this place. 

Many of the monolithic columns of the Mauryan period in the 3rd century BC bear Ashoka’s inscriptions. These columns were made of the sandstone from the same quarry at Chunar. The 10 meter long fifth century AD statue of the reclining Buddha  housed in the Mahaparinirvana Temple at Kushinagar (where the Buddha breathed his last) is made of the sandstone of Chunar. 

Chunar has an immense fort perched on a high rock overlooking the Ganga. This place has been the scene of many battles between Mughals and Afghan ruler Sher Shah. Second Mughal emperor Humayun’s treaty with the Sher Shah in 1533 allowed the latter to retain the Chunar Fort. The third Mughal ruler Akbar recaptured it in 1575.

Chunar is home to a magnificent tomb of Iftikhar Khan, an official under the reign of the Mughal emperor Jahangir who ruled from 1605 to 1627.  

Iftikar Khan Tomb Chunar / Image Credit

Famous for his bravery and courage, Iftikhar Khan died in Bengal in a battle in 1612. A fine specimen of the Mughal architecture, the tomb is made of the sandstone of Chunar.

In the mid - 18th century it was appropriated by Awadh and subsequently, the British. The fort has a sun - dial and a huge well, and affords a splendid view of the Ganga.

Legend of Baidyanath Temple

                                                                    Baidyanath Dham 

The Baidyanath Temple, situated in Deoghar in Jharkhand, is a famous Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, considered the most sacred Shiva temples in India. 

The legend of Baidyanath Dham goes something like this. Ravana, the demon king of Lanka (Ceylon), was performing penance in the Himalayan region to appease Shiva. He requested him to come over to Sri Lanka, so  that his capital may become invincible. 

Pleased with Ravana’s devotion and penance, Lord Shiva asked what boon he desired. Ravana,  a devout follower of Shiva, expressed his desire to take Shiva from Himalayan Mount Kailash (Lord Shiva’s abode) to Lanka. The demon king attempted to lift the holy mountain, Mount Kailash, and take it with him to his capital. However, Shiva crushed him with his finger, and Ravana prayed to him and sought his mercy, after which Shiva gave him one of the twelve Jyotirlingams with the condition that if it was placed on the ground it could not be moved. Hence Ravana had to carry it back on his trek to his capital. 

Celestial gods became worried upon hearing that Shiva had departed from his abode on Mount Kailash. Then Varuna. the God of water, entered Ravana’s stomach and caused him to feel the need to urinate in the vicinity of Deoghar.

Vishnu then came down in the form of  a shepherd named Baiju Gadariya and volunteered to hold the Jyotirlingam as he relieved himself. But before Ravana could return, the Shepherd placed the jyotirlingam on the ground to which it became rooted. A disappointed Ravana offered severe penances to Shiva here, and cut off nine of his heads as a part of his repentance. Shiva revived him and joined the heads to the body, like a Vaidya or a physician, hence this Jyotirlingam goes by the name Vaidyanath. 

 

Satsang Ashram Deoghar

Image Credit 

Located in south-west of Deoghar, Satsang Ashram is one of the most frequented pilgrimage destinations in Jharkhand. Established by Shri Shri Thakur Anukulchandra in 1946, the Ashram is a sanctuary of peace and serenity for his followers. It is visited by people from across the world.

 

 

 

Baba Baidyanath Dham Deoghar

Also known as Baba Dham, Baidyanath Dham and by various other names, Deoghar is home toone of the holiest Hindu places. Travel to this district town in Jharkhand and you will be confronted by a symbol of Hindu India in the spiritually important Baidyanath Dham Temple, the number-one attraction of this place that draws large number of pilgrims daily. The temple is one of the Dwadasa Jyotirlinga shrines or the 12 shrines enshrining Shiva in the form of a Jyotirlingam in the country.

The Dwadasa Jyotirlinga shrines  have been revered since time immemorial in the Indian system of beliefs. The southernmost of these shrines is located at Rameswaram, while the northernmost is located in the Himalayas at Kedarnath in Uttrakhand. Closely linked with legends from the Puranas (the sacred texts of Hinduism) these temples are rich in history and tradition.

Baidyanath Dham becomes one of India’s busiest pilgrimage sites during the month of Shravan, the fifth month of Hindu calendar.

Deoghar is also one of the 52 Shakti Pitha shrines of Sati.

 

Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja

Pazhassi tomb at Mananthavady in Wayanad

Known as Kerala Simham  (Lion of Kerala)  Pazhassi Raja was  a prince of the Kottayam Kingdom. He is known for his armed resistance against the Kingdom of Mysore and the British East India Company in the late 18th century. He adopted guerilla warfare against the British East India Company.

His memorial is situated at Mananthavady, 32 km northeast of Kalpetta, headquarters of the Wayanad district.