India's Ancient City Had a Stadium, Reservoir & Democracy. But It's Being Lost Again
/ Jun 18, 2025, 07:15PM IST
Welcome to Rakhigarhi, Haryana — one of the largest Indus Valley sites ever discovered. Once a thriving Bronze Age metropolis, this 2500 BCE settlement is now revealing secrets that could rewrite history.In November 2024, archaeologists uncovered a man-made reservoir and what may be the first-ever Bronze Age mud brick stadium. Add to that a granary possibly linked to an ancient taxation system — and Rakhigarhi becomes more than ruins. It's a window into an innovative, egalitarian past.
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Hindustan Times
12 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
HistoriCity: From sacred waters to shrines, the Kanwar Yatra's spiritual trail
The annual Kanwar Yatra, which began on July 13, reminds us how water has been worshipped throughout history and across religions. Water, the elixir of life, has been worshipped universally and eternally. Temples and shrines have come up around water bodies and hot springs considered to have healing properties—from lesser-known examples such as the nearly 300-year-old Parsi Bhikha Behram sweet water well in Mumbai, to the 16th-century Amrit Sarovar (water tank) at Amritsar, Sikhism's holiest site. Bathing, as a ritual, is a prerequisite for religious ceremonies such as sacrifice, consecration, daily worship, and even before more mundane tasks such as the consumption of food. Its importance is elemental, and both its indispensability to life and its capacity to destroy accord it divine status. There exist a plethora of myths and tales surrounding it, paying homage to both its life-giving and destructive capacities—the apocryphal story of a great deluge being a prominent legend across cultures and religions, from Hinduism to Christianity. Mythology also covers narratives of gods, kings, and sages mitigating the destructive powers of Himalayan rivers such as the Ganga through their own special austerities and strengths. According to the most prevalent Hindu legend, the Ikshvaku king Bhagiratha appeased Shiva to ensure that when Ganga descends from heaven (read: the Himalayas) to earth (the Gangetic plains), the river's force doesn't destroy everything in its course. Shiva obliges, his matted hair acting as a series of check dams to slow down the mighty river. The collective trauma of times when there was water scarcity is also so deep in the human psyche that its sources have been sought to be controlled, and its use bound by strict codes. The powerful elite have therefore historically controlled riverfronts, wells, springs, and lakes to pacify populations and subjects. One of the earliest recorded instances of rulers constructing a dam comes to us from Saurashtra, a historically arid region of western India. A rock inscription dated to 150 CE records the commissioning of Sudarshan Lake by Rudradaman of the Western Satraps dynasty. Even more interestingly, it contains references to the contributions of two previous kings—the lake's original builder, Chandragupta Maurya (reigned: 321–297 BCE), and his grandson, Emperor Ashoka (reigned: 268–232 BCE). Also Read: Traffic diversions in Ghaziabad for Kanwar Yatra The association of ritual purity with the waters of sacred rivers set in during the later Vedic period (1000–500 BCE) and, by the time of Buddha, had acquired the form of full-fledged water cults who believed that ritually bathing in holy waters had expiatory power. This belief remains strong among millions of Hindus who throng pilgrim spots along rivers to wash their sins. Interestingly, Buddha rejected the idea that sins could be expiated by bathing in sacred rivers like the Ganga and instead claimed that this could only be achieved by 'inner washing'—that is, morality and meditation. Kanwar Yatra Given that neither medieval-era records nor documents from British colonial rule allude to a mass pilgrimage like the Kanwar Yatra, it's hard to establish its historicity. The Kanwar Yatra involves walking to a holy river to bring back its sacred water to ritualistically bathe either a personal idol of Shiva or one at a highly revered temple. Several other Yatras have mushroomed in Hindi-speaking regions of India since the 1990s. Two Kanwar Yatras are considered the biggest in India. Both are along the Ganga; while the one that starts from Garh Mukteshwar—from where devotees carry water in pots to a famous temple near Baghpat—is better known as one of its routes passes through Delhi, the national capital, the other takes place in Jharkhand, which was previously a part of Bihar, and is less known. Also Read: Kanwar Yatra 2025: Delhi issues travel advisory for annual pilgrimage Both are also associated with epic legends — the one in the north with sage Parashurama, who exterminated numerous Kshatriya clans; the one in Bihar with Lord Rama, who, it is believed, worshipped at the Ajgaivinath temple on the Ganga before going to war with Ravan. Buddha's copper statue discovered at Kanwar site in 1861 Interestingly, the Ajgaivinath temple, situated in Sultanganj district (earlier a part of Bhagalpur district), is also an extremely important Buddhist site where a finely sculpted solid copper statue of the Buddha was discovered while the British East India Company was carrying out digging work for the local railway station. The statue has been dated to the 3rd century CE, and its weight (500 kg) and size (seven feet) show that Buddhism once thrived in this region. There are numerous other rock-cut sculptures of the Buddha and other Bodhisattvas at Ajgaivinath. It appears from Hindu sculptures of Vishnu, Uma and Parvati, and Shiva that after the 5th century, both Shaivite and Vaishnavite adherents had a presence at the site. Also Read: Five-year-old's maiden Kanwar Yatra with father British civil servant J. Byrne wrote in the 1901 Gazetteer of Bhagalpur, 'the place was originally esteemed holy by the Buddhists. As both Buddhist and Hindu carvings are found, it is safe to conclude that the Hindus appropriated this sacred place on the downfall of Buddhism.' However, it is quite possible that both Buddhism and Brahminical gods were patronised by the laity and the ruling class. HistoriCity is a column by author Valay Singh that narrates the story of a city that is in the news, by going back to its documented history, mythology and archaeological digs. The views expressed are personal.
New Indian Express
16 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Rock that became a temple
After 14 years in hiding, when King Valagamba finally returned to reclaim his throne in Anuradhapura around 89 BCE, he paid homage to a cave—a dark, wind-swept sanctuary carved deep into a 160-metre granite rock in the heart of Sri Lanka, just outside the dry plains of Dambulla. Here he carved a reclining Buddha into a rock, leaving behind a legacy that would only grow as other kings came; Nissanka Malla gilded the walls and left inscriptions of his generosity in Sinhalese. Today, the Dambulla Cave Temple—also called the Golden Temple of Dambulla—is not just the largest and best-preserved cave complex in Sri Lanka, it is a place where 2,000-year-old walls bear mural-painted Buddhas; more than 150 statues of the Enlightened One sit, stand, lie, meditate, gaze down at you with half-closed eyes. You climb slowly—360 steps if you're counting—past monkeys and neem trees and clouds that drift below your feet. Take the King's Way to pass resting ledges where pilgrims pause and gaze out across the dry plains of central Sri Lanka, until finally the mouth of the cave opens before you like a secret revealed.
India.com
4 days ago
- India.com
Recharge & Roam With 5 Best Weekend Escapes Around Vijayawada
Vijayawada's strategic location on the banks of the Krishna and proximity to picturesque locales make it one of the best weekend getaways for those who want a break from city life. Vijayawada is not just a busy city famous for its business activities and culture, but also the perfect doorway to tranquil destinations. From calm hill stations to historical sights, below are some of the finest weekend getaways nearby Vijayawada that will help you rejuvenate your senses. 1. Amaravati Amaravati is an ancient town located in close proximity to Vijayawada, which is known for its rich history and spirituality. This area is famous for its Buddhist heritage, featuring the iconic Amaravati Stupa, built approximately in the 3rd century BCE. Tourists can enter inside or walk around the stupa's ruins if they like to see how Buddhists were being taught through the very complex carvings thereon. Additionally, Amareswara Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, offers stunning architecture and religious significance. 2. Bhavani Island Bhavani Island provides an ideal retreat for those who seek peacefulness in nature. Situated on the Krishna River's serene waters, this unspoiled island gives you a chance to enjoy mother nature at her best while still quenching your thirst for adventure sports too, because one can go boating, kayaking, and zip-lining as they look at the breathtaking scenes surrounding them all at once. It is also a beautiful green spot where people sit down and eat their picnic while others have time to lazily walk around. 3. Kondapalli Fort With an overview of this town from the top of a mountain near it, Kondapalli Fort serves as a link between the contemporary world and the ancient days of Vijayawada City's historical past. This fort, dating back to the 14th century, has strong walls, intricate gateways, and panoramic views of its surroundings. You can visit different structures of this fort, including the magnificent Kondapalli Killa, or get more information about it from maps they have placed on site. Some people may decide to go there for photography and trekking. 4. Horsley Hills For people who want to escape from an extremely hot city, Horsley Hills is a perfect hill station located a few hours' drive from Vijayawada. The cool climate and picturesque view points amidst the lush greenery of the Eastern Ghats attract tourists in large numbers. One can take gentle walks through nature, do bird watching, or simply relax in the quiet hills. It also provides facilities for adventure sports like rappelling and rock climbing, which delight many adventure devotees. 5. Undavalli Caves Visit Undavalli Caves, situated just a short distance away from Vijayawada, to see these architectural marvels. These are ancient caves carved out of solid rocks between the 4th and 5th centuries AD, displaying amazing artistry as well as elaborate sculptures representing Hindu deities at their best. The caves have various chambers that visitors can explore, looking at those intricate carvings depicting scenes from Hindu mythology, especially during their leisure time. Lastly, you will never fail to be amazed by the gigantic sculpture of Lord Vishnu lying on Ananta, which is actually a big serpent. Final Thoughts Vijayawada and its neighboring areas have an endless list of weekend holiday destinations that fit the interests of any traveler. If you are a history lover, nature junkie, or searching for thrills, this bustling town has something to offer everyone, as well as its beautiful vicinities. Get ready to go on a voyage of discovery as you enjoy the serene atmosphere of these hidden treasures.
