Asian History characteristics of Uttarakhand about Religions in Paurava of Parvatakar Period (6th-7th century AD)

 History of Garhwal, Kumaon, Haridwar (Uttarakhand) - Part 86

          (Asian Classical Age History of Garhwal, Kumaon, Haridwar (Uttarakhand))

                          (Asian History (600-750 AD)

                                                       By: Bhishma Kukreti

  

                  Sixth and seventh century in ancient Uttarakhand (Garhwal, Kumaon, Haridwar, Bijnor, and Saharanpur) saw resurgence of Sanatani sects or Hindu religion. Most of the people of the region were Hindus. There were a few Buddhist followers and Achail Yogi in plains of ancient south Uttarakhand especially in present Kashipur, Tanakpur/Lakhanpur and Bijnor.

                                        The people were worshippers of Nag, Surya, Vamanswami, Yaksha, Grah, individual village deities and goddesses.

                 It was virtuous deeds for offering lands by kings, rich officers, rich people and common people. Therefore there were hundreds of small Hindu temples or worshipping places were increasing in the regions. The Virbhadra, Lakhamandal excavations provide various details on temples of this Age.

                    There was exclusive ministry or department for administration of temples or worshipping places in Paurava kingdom. The chief of temple department was called Devdronyadhikritya. There was custom of Dev Jat/Jatra worshiping style (tour of deities/goddesses).

          There was arrangement of meals in temples for devotees/ visitors.  The land donated by the administration to temple was used for agriculture and the income was used for social causes and temple development.  The officer in charge ‘Satra’ used to look after the temple land. The king and cabinet council used to appoint the in charge by his good characters as humble, honest, knowledgeable, diplomat, understanding code of conducts.

                              There was a council to aid in charge of temples of kingdom.  The council members were Sanyasi, Parivajrak, Brahmchari, Gauggulik.

                                            Animal sacrifice in temples was a common custom. Havan performance was also regular in temples. The priest used to give bath to idols by milk, curd, ghee and water. The idols were pasted by perfumes. The flowers, Ghee smoke or dhup batti smoke was also a prt of rituals in temples.

           The in charge used to keep temple complex clean and free from hurdles. The temple land was used to be given on lease and temple used to get tax from farmers of this land. The kingdom did not take tax from such land.

                                  Buddhism in 6^th and 7^th century in Uttarakhand

  No doubt Buddhism was on declining side. However, Mordhwaja, Kashipur, Kalsi, Lakhanpur/Tanakpur were still the Buddhist centres. Mordhwaja and Bhabhar region had more Buddhist settlements. The Mordhwaja excavations provide us about fortunes of Buddhism in plains of Uttarakhand. Kalsi lost its glory as pilgrim place. There were Buddhist in Bareli region too (south border of Uttarakhand).

                                   Achail Yogi Ritual

      There many idols in Mordhwaja those are Achail Yogi Ritual. Usually, Buddhist used Sachail. The Achail idols show that Jainism had scanty followership remained in  the region.

                                           King as Deity

                 The deceased king was worshipped as deity in the form of idols in Kushan period and in this century. However, there is no idol of any Paurava king found till date.

***Historical, Social, Cultural, economical, Administration Aspects in Parvatakar Kingdom of Paurava to be continued in part 87  

Copyright@ Bhishma Kukreti 30/06/2013

(The History of Garhwal, Kumaon, Haridwar write up is aimed for general readers)

History of Garhwal – Kumaon-Haridwar (Uttarakhand) to be continued… Part -87

      

References:

1-Jayswal, K.P., Andhkaryugin Bharat

2-Shiv Prasad Dabra, ‘Charan’, 1968, Uttarakhand ka Itihas, Bhag –1 and 3

3-Rahul Sankrityayan , Garhwal

4-Dinesh Saklani, 1998, Ancient Communities of the Himalayas

7-Arun Kumar Mishra, 1992, The Trading Communities in Ancient India:

8- Indian Archeology Review, 1968-69

12-Thapliyal, K.K, 1984, Inscriptions of Maukharis, Late Guptas, Pushyabhutis and Yashovarman of Kanauj

13-Uma Prasad Thapliyal, 2005, Uttaranchal: Historical and Cultural Prospective (Page 29, about Authority of Maukharis on Uttarakhand and Haridwar) 

14-.Tripathi, R.S., History of Kanauj

15-Encyclopedia of Ancient Indian Geography Kashi-Z, Volume-2; Edited by Subodh Kapoor, 2002, page 459-460

16-Prem Hari Har Lal, 1993, Doon Valley down the Ages, page 33

17-Kamboj, B.P., 2003, Early Wall Painting of Garhwal, page 20

18- Archeological Survey 1968-69 A Review, page-51

19-Annual Report on Indian Epigraphy, 1974 page -9

20-Kiran Kumar Thapliyal, Studies in Ancient Seals, 1972,

21-Tara Chand Tripathi, Preceding of Indian History Congress, 1982, Identification of Beahmpur in the Light of Taleshwar copper Grant

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Notes on Asian History characteristics of Uttarakhand about Religions in Paurava of Parvatakar Period (6^th-7^th century AD); Asian History characteristics of Tanakpur, Uttarakhand about Religions in Paurava of Parvatakar Period (6^th-7^th century AD); Asian History characteristics of Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand about Religions in Paurava of Parvatakar Period (6^th-7^th century AD); Asian History characteristics of Nainital, Uttarakhand about Religions in Paurava of Parvatakar Period (6^th-7^th century AD); Asian History characteristics of Almora, Uttarakhand about Religions in Paurava of Parvatakar Period (6^th-7^th century AD); Asian History characteristics of Champawat, Uttarakhand about Religions in Paurava of Parvatakar Period (6^th-7^th century AD); Asian History characteristics of Bageshwar, Uttarakhand about Religions in Paurava of Parvatakar Period (6^th-7^th century AD); Asian History characteristics of Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand about Religions in Paurava of Parvatakar Period (6^th-7^th century AD); Asian History characteristics of Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand about Religions in Paurava of Parvatakar Period (6^th-7^th century AD); Asian History characteristics of Dehradun, Uttarakhand about Religions in Paurava of Parvatakar Period (6^th-7^th century AD); Asian History characteristics of Pauri Garhwal, Uttarakhand about Religions in Paurava of Parvatakar Period (6^th-7^th century AD); Asian History characteristics of Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand about Religions in Paurava of Parvatakar Period (6^th-7^th century AD); Asian History characteristics of Chamoli Garhwal, Uttarakhand about Religions in Paurava of Parvatakar Period (6^th-7^th century AD); Asian History characteristics of Rudraprayag Garhwal, Uttarakhand about Religions in Paurava of Parvatakar Period (6^th-7^th century AD); Asian History characteristics of Bijnor, ancient Uttarakhand about Religions in Paurava of Parvatakar Period (6^th-7^th century AD); Asian History characteristics of Saharanpur, ancient Uttarakhand about Religions in Paurava of Parvatakar Period (6^th-7^th century AD).