NAGA Sadhus from across India, mostly
North India, descended on the
temple town of Bhadrachalam to
take a holy dip in river Godavari.
Here they are seen getting ready
for a puja ritual. Photo: G.N. Rao
Tuesday, September 29, 2015
NAGA yoga asana skills at Sarapaka in Bhadrachalam
A Sadhu from north India displaying his yoga asana skills
at Sarapaka in Bhadrachalam
on Thursday during Godavari Maha Pushkaralu.
Photo: G.N. Rao
at Sarapaka in Bhadrachalam
on Thursday during Godavari Maha Pushkaralu.
Photo: G.N. Rao
Naga sadhus fought Mughals, Alexander for Vedic culture
World of Great Naga Sadhus
Hinduism is the dharma that advocates peaceful living taking into cognizance human relation with nature. The cycle of birth and death is only medium for the soul to finally reside in human body to elevate the conscious level to reach Bhagwan (God).
People ignorant of great Hindu Bhakti and tradition simply make mockery of Hindu ethos and rituals without knowing that Sadhus who practice these high conscious tasks take penance to an impossible level which is unimaginable for common people even if they take hundreds of birth in human form.
Naga in Sanskrit means mountain, people residing in and around mountains are known as Pahadi or Naga.
The history of Naga Sadhus is very old, the traces of legacy are found in Mohenjo-daro coins and images where Naga Sadhus are shown worshiping Bhagwan Shiv in Pashupatinath form. Alexandar and his soldiers also met Naga Sadhus during their stay in India. Buddha and Mahavir were impressed to see the penance of Naga Sadhus, their devotion for the people and motherland. Jainese Digambar tradition has roots to Naga rituals.
During invasion of mlecchas (mughals), there were series of attacks on the Sanatan Dharmis and Hindu structures, at that point of time, a massive exercise was carried over by Naga Sadhus to organize their strength and form Akhadas so that they all fight under one Saffron flag to protect Hindu culture and Vedic tradition of India.
Dept float rules in quest of GOLD, old letters,
Dept float rules in quest of GOLD, old letters,
Blinded by the dazzle of yet to be seen treasures, the department forgot all procedural requirements and claiming a right to investigate reports of buried treasure, soon pressed into action a mechanical excavator in its haste to get at the booty. The fact that the Act permits mere exploration was ignored and large-scale excavations continued for quite some time before it dawned on the overzealous officials that they were themselves guilty of violating the law. Hastily geo-technical experts were pressed into action in a belated attempt to substantiate the claim that the department had undertaken nothing more than an 'exploration'.
Anyone even remotely familiar with the history of Hyderabad will testify to the improbability of finding the Nizam's treasure within Wanaparthy property or of Samasthan treasure being interred anywhere in the city. But then the department, abandoning reason and logic has chosen to believe the 'prominent citizens', honorable gentlemen who resolutely resisted the lure of 'saint seducing gold' for four long years, keeping its discovery a closely guarded secret even from the government and its designated authority!
Gold may yet be found in the vicinity of Naubat Pahad, a discovery having become imperative for the department to vindicate its stand and silence detractors who are raising embarrassing questions about the futile 'wild goose chase'. What remains to be seen is if the feat can be accomplished without bringing down the precariously positioned rock formation or disrupting the academic schedule of a highly regarded educational institution. In conclusion one can but hope that the archaeology department performs its designated tasks of protection and preservation of our cultural assets with equal drive and enthusiasm - a duty which it has long neglected.
OLD Letters in British India
Gold in Wanaparthy Samsthanam land at Noubat Pahad ?
Gold in Wanaparthy Samsthanam land at Noubat Pahad ?
Historically, India has been one of the foremost consumers of gold with most of the precious metal used to produce jewellery.
An interesting drama has been unfolding in the city over the past week with the state department of archaeology and museums initiating a treasure hunt at the foothills of the Naubat Pahad. It is said that Mallanna, a worker engaged on a construction site adjacent to a school located on property belonging to the Wanaparthy Samasthan, first stumbled upon the entrance to an underground chamber within the school premises some four years ago. Over succeeding years quite a few others visited the sub terrain vault, with one gentleman claiming to have cut open a steel door in an attempt to access the treasure. Raju, an employee of Coal India who claims to have "sneaked into the premises pretending to be a parent" and entered the cavern a year ago, eventually got around to putting in a report attested to by a group of nine 'prominent citizens', not failing to mention the right of informants to 10% of the recovered treasure. The alacrity with which the department of archaeology swung into action was remarkable given its track record of tardiness for which it was severely reprimanded recently by the AP High Court.
Archaeology officials barged into the premises and started poking holes on the side of the hill, frequently changing locations at the behest of Raju and a now self-admittedly 'confused' Malanna. Surprisingly the entire search operation was restricted to areas clearly visible from the school playground, leading one to wonder as to how hundreds of inquisitive and spirited kids failed to discover the 'bunker' when the navratnas could get in and out at will for years.
Historically, India has been one of the foremost consumers of gold with most of the precious metal used to produce jewellery.
An interesting drama has been unfolding in the city over the past week with the state department of archaeology and museums initiating a treasure hunt at the foothills of the Naubat Pahad. It is said that Mallanna, a worker engaged on a construction site adjacent to a school located on property belonging to the Wanaparthy Samasthan, first stumbled upon the entrance to an underground chamber within the school premises some four years ago. Over succeeding years quite a few others visited the sub terrain vault, with one gentleman claiming to have cut open a steel door in an attempt to access the treasure. Raju, an employee of Coal India who claims to have "sneaked into the premises pretending to be a parent" and entered the cavern a year ago, eventually got around to putting in a report attested to by a group of nine 'prominent citizens', not failing to mention the right of informants to 10% of the recovered treasure. The alacrity with which the department of archaeology swung into action was remarkable given its track record of tardiness for which it was severely reprimanded recently by the AP High Court.
Archaeology officials barged into the premises and started poking holes on the side of the hill, frequently changing locations at the behest of Raju and a now self-admittedly 'confused' Malanna. Surprisingly the entire search operation was restricted to areas clearly visible from the school playground, leading one to wonder as to how hundreds of inquisitive and spirited kids failed to discover the 'bunker' when the navratnas could get in and out at will for years.
Nalanda experts want to dig more as a new university is being established
Nalanda experts want to dig more as a new university is being established
As a new university is being established in Nalanda to revive the glory of ancient India’s most famous centre of learning, experts have asked the government to carry out more excavations at the site of the original university to dig out those parts of the institution that still remain undiscovered.
Some members of the governing board of the new Nalanda University, including chairperson Amartya Sen, last week held a meeting with top officials of the Culture Ministry to explore the possibility of further excavation at the site where the ruins of the world-famous ancient Nalanda University stand.
“There has been a long-felt demand that there should be much more excavation at the ancient Nalanda site. There is so much that we have read about Nalanda and there is a lot of indication that there was much more to the ancient university than what is reflected in the ruins today,” said Gopa Sabharwal, vice-chancellor of the new Nalanda University that is supposed to open by 2013.
Culture Secretary Jawhar Sircar told The Indian Express the ministry had already initiated the process by referring the matter to a technical committee of the Archeological Survey of India to carry out ‘assessment and exploration’ at the site which would establish whether there was need for excavation or not.
The government had last year passed a legislation to set up a new university, very near to where the original one was situated with the aim of reviving the past glory of Nalanda. The new university will start with seven schools and expand later. The Bihar government has already allocated 446 acres of land for it.
Sen wanted the ASI to carry out a thorough check at the site acquired for the new university to prevent damage to any archeological artefacts that might be present there. A satellite survey of the site is being planned.
As a new university is being established in Nalanda to revive the glory of ancient India’s most famous centre of learning, experts have asked the government to carry out more excavations at the site of the original university to dig out those parts of the institution that still remain undiscovered.
Some members of the governing board of the new Nalanda University, including chairperson Amartya Sen, last week held a meeting with top officials of the Culture Ministry to explore the possibility of further excavation at the site where the ruins of the world-famous ancient Nalanda University stand.
“There has been a long-felt demand that there should be much more excavation at the ancient Nalanda site. There is so much that we have read about Nalanda and there is a lot of indication that there was much more to the ancient university than what is reflected in the ruins today,” said Gopa Sabharwal, vice-chancellor of the new Nalanda University that is supposed to open by 2013.
Culture Secretary Jawhar Sircar told The Indian Express the ministry had already initiated the process by referring the matter to a technical committee of the Archeological Survey of India to carry out ‘assessment and exploration’ at the site which would establish whether there was need for excavation or not.
The government had last year passed a legislation to set up a new university, very near to where the original one was situated with the aim of reviving the past glory of Nalanda. The new university will start with seven schools and expand later. The Bihar government has already allocated 446 acres of land for it.
Sen wanted the ASI to carry out a thorough check at the site acquired for the new university to prevent damage to any archeological artefacts that might be present there. A satellite survey of the site is being planned.
kondapur non buddhist site in damuru shape
Kondapur non buddhist site in damuru shape
Discovery of remains throw light on Vedic religion
The remains of a huge urn excavated at Kondapur.
Does Kondapur, one of the well-known, early, historic Satavahana sites in Medak district, also represent the Brahmanic culture in addition to Buddhist culture? This is what recent excavations at the site, approximately spread over 81 acres, suggest.
The excavations have been continuing here for the past one year, headed by G. Maheswari, Superintending Archaeologist, Archaeological Survey of India, with a team of about 15 members. Some 45 labourers have been hired to excavate the ancient remains with utmost care at the site. The work is being supervised by senior archaeology officials, three students from JNU, Delhi, and Central University, Hyderabad.
The main discovery at the excavation site in 2009-2010 includes some brick structures found in the western extreme of the main mound, which yielded authentic evidence of a non-Buddhist sect. It's a vast complex having a circular shrine facing south with one entrance and surrounded by rectangular chambers and fire altars – three metres in depth having 37 courses of burnt bricks of different shapes -- triangular and damaru-shaped -- behind the chambers.
Brick structures, supposedly fire altars yielded significant evidence of fire activities in them along with full pots - five in number (may be kalasa) with stamped impressions of a trident, purnakalasa.
Apart from this, the whole temple complex yielded plenty of animal bone pieces, perhaps for sacrificial purposes and related pottery articles such as bowls, sprinklers, spouted vessels and iron implements like spear heads and knives.
In the same complex in the vicinity of the circular structure, Lajja gouri (Goddess of fertility) made of kaolin and a few cult objects made of iron were found.
Iit was believed that Kondapur was purely a Buddhist site,proved somethin else now However, the present excavation shows that Kondapur was not a Buddhist site alone, but also represents the Vedic religion with evidence of the performance of Vedic rites. Till date, some 2,000 antiquities were found in the excavations.
Discovery of remains throw light on Vedic religion
The remains of a huge urn excavated at Kondapur.
Does Kondapur, one of the well-known, early, historic Satavahana sites in Medak district, also represent the Brahmanic culture in addition to Buddhist culture? This is what recent excavations at the site, approximately spread over 81 acres, suggest.
The excavations have been continuing here for the past one year, headed by G. Maheswari, Superintending Archaeologist, Archaeological Survey of India, with a team of about 15 members. Some 45 labourers have been hired to excavate the ancient remains with utmost care at the site. The work is being supervised by senior archaeology officials, three students from JNU, Delhi, and Central University, Hyderabad.
The main discovery at the excavation site in 2009-2010 includes some brick structures found in the western extreme of the main mound, which yielded authentic evidence of a non-Buddhist sect. It's a vast complex having a circular shrine facing south with one entrance and surrounded by rectangular chambers and fire altars – three metres in depth having 37 courses of burnt bricks of different shapes -- triangular and damaru-shaped -- behind the chambers.
Brick structures, supposedly fire altars yielded significant evidence of fire activities in them along with full pots - five in number (may be kalasa) with stamped impressions of a trident, purnakalasa.
Apart from this, the whole temple complex yielded plenty of animal bone pieces, perhaps for sacrificial purposes and related pottery articles such as bowls, sprinklers, spouted vessels and iron implements like spear heads and knives.
In the same complex in the vicinity of the circular structure, Lajja gouri (Goddess of fertility) made of kaolin and a few cult objects made of iron were found.
Iit was believed that Kondapur was purely a Buddhist site,proved somethin else now However, the present excavation shows that Kondapur was not a Buddhist site alone, but also represents the Vedic religion with evidence of the performance of Vedic rites. Till date, some 2,000 antiquities were found in the excavations.
Hyderabad to have 14 gateways built in different architectural styles at all the entry points of the city.
Hyderabad to have 14 gateways built in different architectural styles at all the entry points of the city.
Telangana government has drawn an ambitious plan to beautify Hyderabad as a global city and make it safe and secure.
Under this plan 14 beautiful gateways will be built in different architectural styles at all the entry points of the city. Each gateway will be different, with a mix of modern and ancient styles of architecture.
The gateway at Uppal on Hyderabad-Warangal highway will have a design in Moghul style on one side and Kakatiya style on the other to reflect the history and culture of two heritage cities.
The gateway at Hayatnagar on the roads to Vijayawada and Khammam will have a distinct Moghul design and the gateway on Srisailam road will have modern design. Logo of historic Charminar will be a common feature on all the gateways as it represents Hyderabad.
Such gateways, welcoming the visitors to the city of Hyderabad, will come up at Keesara, Dummaiguda cross roads, Alwal Rajiv Rahdaari, Medchal-Kompally road (coming from Nagpur), Jeedimetla-Narsapur Road, Ramchandrapuram-Patancheru (Mumbai Road), Expressway-Nanakramguda road, Osman Sagar, Himayat Sagar and on the roads coming from Kurnool and Srisailam.
Officials associated with the project say that not only these attractive gateways will beautify the city but also have features to monitor all the incoming and outgoing traffic and also regulate in case of any emergency. The authorities if needed can close the entry points. “Each gateway will cost Rs1 crore”, an official said.
The responsibility of designing the gateways was given to Dhruvutara consultancy and precast technology and steel will be used to their rapid completion. The area around each gateway will be landscaped to make it environment friendly and green project. Each gateway will have three fountains.
“The entire design will be such that any visitor should feel that he is entering into a different world, a clean, green, and beautiful city”, an official said.
Meanwhile, plans were also afoot to make Hyderabad safe and secure by installing 100,000 close circuit TV cameras. Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation was aiming to complete this project before the World Metropolis Congress before October 2014.
Fifteen companies gave a live demonstration of the CCTV camera projects before senior officials including the GHMC commissioner Somesh Kumar and Hyderabad police commissioner Mahender Reddy.
Under this project every stretch of 1 to 2km will have 15 to 20 CCTV cameras to ensure public safety. Each camera will have a storage capacity of at least one month and a battery back up in case disruption in power supply
Telangana government has drawn an ambitious plan to beautify Hyderabad as a global city and make it safe and secure.
Under this plan 14 beautiful gateways will be built in different architectural styles at all the entry points of the city. Each gateway will be different, with a mix of modern and ancient styles of architecture.
The gateway at Uppal on Hyderabad-Warangal highway will have a design in Moghul style on one side and Kakatiya style on the other to reflect the history and culture of two heritage cities.
The gateway at Hayatnagar on the roads to Vijayawada and Khammam will have a distinct Moghul design and the gateway on Srisailam road will have modern design. Logo of historic Charminar will be a common feature on all the gateways as it represents Hyderabad.
Such gateways, welcoming the visitors to the city of Hyderabad, will come up at Keesara, Dummaiguda cross roads, Alwal Rajiv Rahdaari, Medchal-Kompally road (coming from Nagpur), Jeedimetla-Narsapur Road, Ramchandrapuram-Patancheru (Mumbai Road), Expressway-Nanakramguda road, Osman Sagar, Himayat Sagar and on the roads coming from Kurnool and Srisailam.
Officials associated with the project say that not only these attractive gateways will beautify the city but also have features to monitor all the incoming and outgoing traffic and also regulate in case of any emergency. The authorities if needed can close the entry points. “Each gateway will cost Rs1 crore”, an official said.
The responsibility of designing the gateways was given to Dhruvutara consultancy and precast technology and steel will be used to their rapid completion. The area around each gateway will be landscaped to make it environment friendly and green project. Each gateway will have three fountains.
“The entire design will be such that any visitor should feel that he is entering into a different world, a clean, green, and beautiful city”, an official said.
Meanwhile, plans were also afoot to make Hyderabad safe and secure by installing 100,000 close circuit TV cameras. Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation was aiming to complete this project before the World Metropolis Congress before October 2014.
Fifteen companies gave a live demonstration of the CCTV camera projects before senior officials including the GHMC commissioner Somesh Kumar and Hyderabad police commissioner Mahender Reddy.
Under this project every stretch of 1 to 2km will have 15 to 20 CCTV cameras to ensure public safety. Each camera will have a storage capacity of at least one month and a battery back up in case disruption in power supply
Kotilingala coins prove antiquity of Telangana Telugu language
Kotilingala village faces threat from Yellampally
Kotilingala coins prove antiquity of Telangana Telugu language
But the much-needed resurvey and systematic excavation of the 120-acre site at Kotilingala with remnants of fort, stupa, ancient Siva temple, open wells and connecting channels to know more about pre-Satavahana period, not documented anywhere, is still hanging fire.
Are we on the verge of losing a treasure trove of archaeological evidence to the early history of Andhra Kings whose territory extended up to Central India much before the well-documented Satavahana period?
The answer could be an unfortunate ‘yes’ if Kotilingala village in Karimnagar district, with tell-tale evidences of archaeological proof that can throw more light about the pre-Satavahana period, is submerged by Yellampalli project. This, even before a proposed thorough investigation of site is taken up by the government.
Time is running out as the project is progressing well and the villagers are to be shifted to pave way for the work. Though the Archaeology Department carried out excavations in a haphazard manner during 1978 -83 which resulted in finding of 450 coins, gold beads, pottery, decorative art of pre-Satavahana period, a report was published only last year.
Significant discovery: The discovery of the coins of pre-Satavahana and Satavahana period in 1978 is considered significant in the numismatics history of South India as for the first time it showed that the inscribed coins belonged to Gobada, first Andhra King who ruled from Kotilingala and others followed by Satavahana kings.
Gobada is acknowledged as the first king who issued inscribed coins in the Andhra region,
There is no recorded history of early Telangana kings and the Puranas only talk about Satavahanas, referred to as Sunga Bruthas, it was never conclusively proved till the discovery of Kotilingala coins,
Just as Nagarjunakonda was preserved for posterity as a mark of contribution of Ikshvakus.
Kotilingala fort site, the place from where Satavahanas ruled up to Gwalior, comprising half of India at one time, should be preserved and protected.
The excavation could throw up valuable inputs just like Harappan excavations.
Kotilingala coins prove antiquity of Telangana Telugu language
But the much-needed resurvey and systematic excavation of the 120-acre site at Kotilingala with remnants of fort, stupa, ancient Siva temple, open wells and connecting channels to know more about pre-Satavahana period, not documented anywhere, is still hanging fire.
Are we on the verge of losing a treasure trove of archaeological evidence to the early history of Andhra Kings whose territory extended up to Central India much before the well-documented Satavahana period?
The answer could be an unfortunate ‘yes’ if Kotilingala village in Karimnagar district, with tell-tale evidences of archaeological proof that can throw more light about the pre-Satavahana period, is submerged by Yellampalli project. This, even before a proposed thorough investigation of site is taken up by the government.
Time is running out as the project is progressing well and the villagers are to be shifted to pave way for the work. Though the Archaeology Department carried out excavations in a haphazard manner during 1978 -83 which resulted in finding of 450 coins, gold beads, pottery, decorative art of pre-Satavahana period, a report was published only last year.
Significant discovery: The discovery of the coins of pre-Satavahana and Satavahana period in 1978 is considered significant in the numismatics history of South India as for the first time it showed that the inscribed coins belonged to Gobada, first Andhra King who ruled from Kotilingala and others followed by Satavahana kings.
Gobada is acknowledged as the first king who issued inscribed coins in the Andhra region,
There is no recorded history of early Telangana kings and the Puranas only talk about Satavahanas, referred to as Sunga Bruthas, it was never conclusively proved till the discovery of Kotilingala coins,
Just as Nagarjunakonda was preserved for posterity as a mark of contribution of Ikshvakus.
Kotilingala fort site, the place from where Satavahanas ruled up to Gwalior, comprising half of India at one time, should be preserved and protected.
The excavation could throw up valuable inputs just like Harappan excavations.
Centre proposes Golconda fort as heritage site
Centre proposes Golconda fort as heritage site
Centre proposes Golconda fort as heritage site
HYDERABAD: Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Ambika Soni has said that 16 sites and monuments in the country have been proposed for world heritage sites' recognition.
Addressing media persons after inaugurating Balayogi Paryataka Bhavan here on Friday, she said that while other countries had 40 to 50 world heritage sites, India was lagging behind in this respect despite its rich architectural and natural heritage monuments and sites. "We have represented to World Heritage Committee Chairman to relax the rules in case of India so that two to three sites/monuments will get world heritage site status per year," she said.
Some of the monuments proposed in the list were Golconda fort from Hyderabad, Mijoli islands of Assam, she said.
Centre proposes Golconda fort as heritage site
HYDERABAD: Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Ambika Soni has said that 16 sites and monuments in the country have been proposed for world heritage sites' recognition.
Addressing media persons after inaugurating Balayogi Paryataka Bhavan here on Friday, she said that while other countries had 40 to 50 world heritage sites, India was lagging behind in this respect despite its rich architectural and natural heritage monuments and sites. "We have represented to World Heritage Committee Chairman to relax the rules in case of India so that two to three sites/monuments will get world heritage site status per year," she said.
Some of the monuments proposed in the list were Golconda fort from Hyderabad, Mijoli islands of Assam, she said.
Iran to restore Qutb Shahi tombs
Iran to restore Qutb Shahi tombs
HYDERABAD: A delegation of Iranian conservators and experts in Iranian architecture are meticulously researching and preparing documentation to conserve the historic Qutb Shahi tombs near Golconda.
The team, which recently visited the twin cities, has prepared an action plan to restore the dilapidated tombs following a request from Hossein Ravesh, Consul-General of Iran, Hyderabad.
To begin with, Badshahi Ashoorkhana, Qutb Shahi tombs and Premavati mosque will be brought back to glory. The experts are planning to replicate and restore the Iranian style of gardens at the tombs. After completing restoration works, the Iranian officials will approach the UNESCO to declare the Qutb Shahi tombs as a World Heritage Site.
" Our team of experts has been doing a research on these tombs for the past three months. In association with the Archaeology Department here, we are taking up the restoration," Mr. Ravesh said.
HYDERABAD: A delegation of Iranian conservators and experts in Iranian architecture are meticulously researching and preparing documentation to conserve the historic Qutb Shahi tombs near Golconda.
The team, which recently visited the twin cities, has prepared an action plan to restore the dilapidated tombs following a request from Hossein Ravesh, Consul-General of Iran, Hyderabad.
To begin with, Badshahi Ashoorkhana, Qutb Shahi tombs and Premavati mosque will be brought back to glory. The experts are planning to replicate and restore the Iranian style of gardens at the tombs. After completing restoration works, the Iranian officials will approach the UNESCO to declare the Qutb Shahi tombs as a World Heritage Site.
" Our team of experts has been doing a research on these tombs for the past three months. In association with the Archaeology Department here, we are taking up the restoration," Mr. Ravesh said.
Monday, September 28, 2015
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