The origin, development and importance of Memorial-stones in India (2)

The origin, development and importance of Memorial-stones in India (2)

The place where erected: Similarly, the place where the memorial stones were erected has also been a part of research studies.

1. Generally, where the person attained martyrdom, that spot was chosen for erecting the hero-stone.
2. The scholarly tradition[1]  maintains that a hero-stone was raised on the spot where the hero fell or where his remains were buried, or alternatively in his native village or in the place where his relatives lived.
3. However, they we either disturbed or shifted to other convenient places.
4. The current position of the materials, however, hardly corresponds to the original one. Many have been relocated inside museums or temple premises, either as freestanding elements or as structural components; but even when found at the crossroads of hamlets, under trees or next to water reserves, one cannot ignore that some transformative process must have intervened over the centuries and reshaped the landscape (e.g. due to the construction of a new road, or to cropland expansion).
5. Archaeological excavations never occurred systematically in the past, so that at present, threatened by increasing urbanization, the veracity of both primary and secondary sources on this issue is de facto unascertainable.
6. Formation of new states / countries and vandalism also responsible for the disturbance or even destruction of hero-stones.

These erected stones at the villages and remote areas might have become distant or deserted places, due to urbanization etc., and thus, slowly neglected and forgotten. The enthusiastic explorers and others, very often claim that they “discovered” the hero-stones and so on!

Stone usage in the Megalith burials and tribals: Man and stone-usage cannot be separated. Modernism and urbanization might have changed the life-style, but, its usage continues, as could be noted, at least in the kitchens. In India, every group of people follow certain “samskaras”  traditional rites, rituals and ceremonies where, stones play an important role. ‘Megalithism’ may be considered as a living tradition in India, as the practice of erecting megaliths in honour of the dead is still found among the tribals living in northeastern, eastern, central and south India like the Khasis and the Garos and the Syntengs of Meghalaya, the Tiwas and the Karbis of Assam, the Nagas of Manipur and Nagaland, the Hos and the Mundas of Chota Nagpur, the Gonds and the Morias of Chattisgarh, the Kurumbas of Kerala, the Bondos and the Gadabas of Orissa and the Savaras of Andhra Pradesh and Orissa. Thus, its prevalence in all states can be noted.

Hero-tones in South India: The earliest and oldest of such memorial hero stones is found in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu is more than 2400 years old that is 4^th century BCE. According to the historian Upinder Singh, the largest concentration of such memorial stones is found in the Indian state of Karnataka. About two thousand six hundred and fifty hero stones, the earliest in Karnataka is dated to the 5^th century CE. The custom of erecting memorial stones dates back to the Iron Age (400 BCE) though a vast majority were erected between the 4^th century BCE to 13^th century CE. During this period, the dynasties were fighting with each other, and later I the medieval period resisting the Arab / Mohammedan intrusion into South India. Thus, the Hero-stones inculcated the memory of fallen heroes for their sacrifices to protect their boundaries, properties and power.

Sati – Widow burning was prevalent among all the ancient civilizations:  It has been argued by them that sati, now popularly known and understood as the practice of widow-burning did not originate from the ancient Indians, as it is commonly believed and propagated, but had roots in the ancient Egypt, Greek, and other European civilizations. It was among the Gauls, the Goths, the Norwegians, the Celts, the Slavs and the Tharcians. In Egypt, the processions of a king, Pharaoh were buried along with him or a pyramid built over his body, while in Greece women entered into the pyres of their dead husbands. Similar pyre sacrifices were prevalent among almost all ethnic groups of Europe. In China, if a widow killed herself in order to follow her dead husband to heaven, her corpse was taken out in a great procession[2]. Col. James Tod mentions that Female immolation originated with the Sun-worshipping Saivas and was common to all those nations who adored this as the most splendid object of the visible creation[3]. Here, also, the terms and expressions used have to be understood properly:

1. Sati – Voluntary self-immolation of wife. Getting into a pyre voluntarily, “Udankattai-erudhal” as mentioned in Tamil.
2. Sati – Widow burning – Sometimes, interpreted as forced (as interpreted from Mohammedan and colonial writers).
3. Jauhar, sometimes spelt Jowhar or Juhar, was a Hindu Rajput practice of mass self-immolation by females, both adults and children, in the Indian subcontinent to avoid capture, enslavement and rape by Turko-Persian Islamic invaders, when facing certain defeat during a war.

Satikal prominent in and around Rajasthan area: Sati and hero-stones are important and studied in the context. Rajasthan, and nearby areas are prominent with Satikal, because of the Mohammedan atrocities, as they are well-known, they are not discussed. The hero-stones from Central India have emerged from a tribal context and concern tribal chiefs. They are invaluable in understanding attitudes to death and belief patterns of tribes. The hero-stones from Western India reflect the physical and social ecology of the area in their pictographic context. Those that depict cattle raids in their lowest panel are understood as indicators of a dominant pastoral economy of the past. These hero-stones are found only in a specific area of the semi-arid tract of Western India. The hero and sati stones are largely found in Western, Central and Southern India. From Rajasthan We basically two types of hero-stones found. They are Paliyas (single panelled stones) and the Govardhan pillars that have a sculpted top. Sati practice is found in the Tamilndu also as recorded in the literature and inscriptions[4].

Why there were more hero-stones in Karnataka?: The relation between death and memorial stones and glorifying death and other concepts are inter-related and highly spiritual also. S. Settar pointed out[5] how the Jains identified eight types of death grouped under three categories –

1. Bala-marana – childish or foolish death
2. Pandita marana – wise death and
3. Pandita-pantita marana – the wisest of wise deaths

Then there are other types of marana –

• Sanyasana-marana – death through renunciation
• Sallekhana-marana – death through fasting
• Ardhana-marana – death through worship
• Pancapada-marana – death through prayer
• Pantita-marana – death through knowledge or wisdom
• Samadhi-marana – death through mediation etc.,

The Jains used to debate with the Buddhists and Hindus setting “death” as a precondition for the defeated. The Karnaka inscriptions show how the defeated were crushed in oil-mills. However, to glorify them, hero-stones might have been erected for them. Thus, the Jaina literature has elaborately dealt with death and also the Jains erecting monuments for the dead. As the Jains were dominant in Karanaka during the medieval period, the hero-stones were also found maximum there.

The Govardhan pillars: The Govardhan pillars are memorials for those who died in a cattle raid, but battle scene are also depicted at times. Sri  Krishna lifted the Govardhan hill and saved people – thus, lifting the Govrdhan hill is considered as a Herculean task and thus, the name “Govardhan pillar”! A sati would normally be shown by depiction of a couple facing each other. Chronologically, these stones would fall within the 6th to 7th  and 13th-14th century CE periods. The Saurashtra series is of a relatively recent period, belonging to the last three to four hundred years (16^th-17^th centuries). Here the most frequent occurrence is of Paliyas. The Paliyas are normally linked to cattle raids, skirmishes and village disputes. This is similar to the cattle seizing, cattle raiding and cattle recovering practices of the ancient Tamil Sangam people[6]. South India and Maharashtra can be easily termed as the heartland of hero-stones. The hero-stones from Tamil Nadu fall roughly within the 6^th to the 12^th century CE.

© K. V. Ramakrishna Rao

09-05-2024

---

[1] Vanamamalai, N. 1975. Herostone Worship in Ancient South India, In Social Scientist, 3, 10, pp. 40-46.

[2]  C. H. Tawney, Kathasaritsaaara, Vol.I, Terminal Essay on Suttee by Pensei, Appendix – I, pp.255-272.  He pointed out that such practice was there among all the ancient civilizations.

[3]  Col. James Tod, Annals and Antiquities of Rajasthan , Motilal  Bararasidas, New Delhi, Vol.II, 1971, p.737.

[4] K. V. Ramakrishna Rao, Sati In Ancient Tamil Literature , A paper presented at 11th session of South Indian History Congress held at Calicut from February 1st -3rd , 1991.

https://archive.org/details/SatiInAncientTamilLiteratureK.V.RamakrishnaRao

[5] Shadakshari Settar, Inviting death – Indian attitude towards the ritual death, Brill, Vol.28, 1989.

[6] K. V. Ramakrishna Rao, Cattle Raiding In Sangam Age, the paper was presented at the 12th session of South Indian History Congress held at Karnatak University, Dharwad from November 9-11, 1991  https://archive.org/details/CattleRaidingInSangamAgeK.V.RamakrishnaRao

When I presented this paper, there was a discussion in which S. Settar asked many questions about Hero-stones of Tamilagam etc.

Heritage Management – how it differs from Conservation, reconstruction, maintenance etc.,

Heritage Management – how it differs from Conservation, reconstruction, maintenance etc.,

Dr T. Satyamurthy delved into different issues connected with “Heritage management.”

elite audience

View of the audience…

More elite audience came….

January 2024 – first Monthly Meeting on Heritage Management: RSN, Memorial Library and Indology Research Institute was inaugurated on October 28th, 2023[1]. Dr Subramanian Swamy inaugurated and many other dignitaries were there at that time[2]. At that time, it was decided to hold every month, a special lecture to be organized and addressed by a historian, an archaeologist, a numismatist, and similar expert on Indology. Accordingly, on 28-01-2024 (Sunday) the first monthly lecture was delivered by Dr. T. Sathyamurthy on “Heritage Management”[3]. I was expecting him for the inaugural function, but he could not attend, because of his preoccupation. So it was a happy occasion that he delivered the fist lecture here gracing the juncture. He is an archaeologist with the Archeology Survey of India and Founder of the Reach Foundation, with 50 years of experience in excavation, reconstruction, etc. He explained with examples how to preserve, restore and transform ancient Indian buildings, temples and other structures without affecting the traditional factors and features.

The dilapidated condition of the Siva temple, Uttiramerur……

How modern technology was also used for restoration[4]: The short film also explained how a dilapidated Shiva temple in Uttramerur was gradually rebuilt with the stones and bricks available there itself. The walls, roof etc. and the relief sculptures were completely restored carefully with the available materials with careful restoration. For that, he also explained how the method of connecting granite stones, weight-bearing strength, and other details were technically tested in the IIT Chennai laboratory, and then the restoration, preservation and conservation works were successfully completed using that technology. Some important modern techniques were used to restore the heritage structure, thereby bridging modern techniques to save ancient marvels! After a year full of research and consultations, testing and recording the stitching of granite using Stainless steel rods and proving their strength while being used as a stitching material along with a binder material made of epoxy, stones which lie below and the foundation level have been successfully retained without being rooted away, thus saving crores of rupees and time in removing all the stones used to build the temple! I.I.T Civil Engineering department Prof. Mathews and his PG research student Ms. Anupadma, and the company which provided the drilling and filling materials M/s.HILTI deserve our thanks and appreciation for their co-operation and services.

How the stones were stitched: Cracks appearing at the bottom most part of the foundation, were ‘stitched’ using grooved Stainless rod thus the cracked granite stone is put back to a single repaired stone thus becoming integral using epoxy based grouting compound to bond the stainless steel rod with the granite core.

1. Drilling holes diagonally so that the hole passes through both halves of the broken granite…
2. 2) After which the holes are cleaned to remove all the powdered granite chips and slurry..
3.  Then comes the pumping in of the epoxy putty grouting material
4. And the insertion of the grooved Stainless steel rod,
5. filling the holes with the same ground granite powder..and
6. The crack is stitched

According to Dr Mathews, the technique itself is very simple and not very expensive. But he says that when dealing with ancient monuments, it is important that care is taken over the materials used[5]. “High-grade stainless steel rods with a high percentage of chromium were used so that they didn’t corrode for at least another five hundred years,” he says[6]. Both Dr Sathyamurthy and Dr Mathews say that in India there are many temples and monuments in danger of total collapse or partial collapse and that these are causes for concern[7]. Dr Mathews says that further research in the laboratory in stone stitching and other reversible interventions is needed. This could allow the technique to be used to conserve other monuments in future[8]. With the basement safely secured, the team started conserving the super-structure, including the huge dome using a newly created lime plaster based on the old formula[9]. The conservation team now says that a weight of around 30,000 tonnes can safely rest on the basement and the plinth of granite rocks[10].

Inscriptions buried were revealed after removing debris.

From the Pallavas to 2013: The temple was built during Pallava King Nandi Varman’s period and reconstructed during Chozha period with stone up to Adhistanam. Latter patronized by Chozha Kings Parataka Chozha_I, Rajaraja-I, Rajendra Chozha-I and Vijayanagara Kings, especially Krishnadevaraya. The inscriptions mainly record about donations made to this temple in terms of Land, Gold, Goats, Cow, etc for the regular poojas and functions. In one of the inscriptions it was mentioned that if anybody obstructs the normal functioning of the temple poojas and lighting of lamps received through gifts ( By way of gold, Land, cows ) to the temple, it will be equivalent to killing their father and mother and Killing a cow on the banks of river Ganga[11]. There is a measurement scale marked at the base of the temple in two lengths of each 11 feet with Vijayanagara Kings Royal emblem of Kattari and Sun. The Kumbhabhishekam was performed in 2013 after renovation by the  Reach Foundation.

Mullavar Shiva Linga – before and after restoration work.

Conservation, reconstruction, maintenance etc., are not building anything new: He concluded by describing that conservation, reconstruction, maintenance etc. is not a method of demolishing existing buildings and building new ones, rather, it is the work of keeping the existing construction, walls, sculptures, etc., unchanged, so that its longevity could also be increased. During the reconstruction of an ancient Shiva Temple at Uthiramerur villagers 565 gram gold was discovered under the steps of the sanctum sanctorum of the Temple[12]. The Government authorities reached the spot after being informed about this and claimed the rights on the gold[13]. The villagers however raised the objection[14]. The villagers stated that, ‘the gold found is the wealth of the Temple and it will be restored in the sanctum sanctorum itself after the reconstruction of the Temple.’[15] After the little scuffle between the villagers and the Government authorities, the Police were called[16]. The Police seized the gold under the Government treasury. The agonised villagers have started agitating to get back the gold[17].

Heritage talk ended with heritage: Attendees and students were also benefited by asking some questions and getting clarifications. For many questions, T. Satyamurthy directly answered with examples. The elite audience included S/Sri Vedantam, Vishwa Hindu Vidya Kendra; Shekhar Reddy, Tirumala-Tirupathi Devasthanam; Viswanathan, Registrar, Anna Technical University; R. Chellamuthu former IAS Officer, many dignitaries, professors and students. K.V. Ramakrishna Rao, Visiting Professor, Department of Ancient History and Archaeology, Madras University highlighted the importance of Indology and “Traditional Management”. Dr. Ravichandran thanked the meeting and concluded. On behalf of Tirumala-Tirupathi Devasthanam, Lattu Prasadam was also given to everyone. Thus, “Heritage Management” was maintained, perhaps, in all aspects.

© K. V. Ramakrishna Rao

28-01-2024

---

[1] K.V.Ramakrishna Rao, Inauguration of RSN Memorial Library and Indological Research Institute at Chennai, Posted on October 29, 2023.

[2] https://kvramakrishnarao.wordpress.com/2023/10/29/inauguration-of-rsn-memorial-library-and-indological-research-institute-at-chennai/

[3]  November and December witnessed heavy rains, floods etc., and therefore, the lecture could not be conducted.

[4] Reach Foundation, Uttaramerur Kailasanadhr temple restoration, 2000.

https://conserveheritage.org/index.php/temple-revivals/uttaramerur-temple-restoration/uttaramerur-kailasanadhar-temple-restoration-update/

[5] DNA Web Team, ‘Granite stitching’ saves 1,250-year-old Indian temple from collapse, Updated: Mar 11, 2018, 03:50 AM IST

[6] https://www.dnaindia.com/technology/report-granite-stitching-saves-1250-year-old-indian-temple-from-collapse-1496290

[7] BBC, Ancient temple stitched back together, Published: 17 January 2011

[8] https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-12127154

[9] OneInda, ‘Granite stitching’ saves 1,250-yr-old Indian temple from collapse, By Ani | Published: Tuesday, January 18, 2011, 12:20 [IST]

[10]  https://www.oneindia.com/2011/01/18/granitestitching-saves-1250-yr-old-indian-temple-fromco-aid0121.html

[11]  Generally, in most of the iscriptions, this phrase would be found indicting that the temples were under attacks by others and thus, indirectly, it was recorded in that manner.

[12] India Today, Gold found during temple renovation in Tamil Nadu, India Today Web Desk, New Delhi, Published On: Dec 14, 2020; UPDATED: Dec 14, 2020 06:02 IST, Published By: Snigdha Choudhury

[13] https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/gold-found-during-temple-renovation-in-tamil-nadu-1749252-2020-12-14

[14] Times of India, Villagers near Chennai find gold during temple renovation, TNN / Updated: Dec 14, 2020, 07:08 IST.

[15] https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/tamil-nadu-500g-gold-cache-discovered-at-300-year-old-temple/articleshow/79712965.cms

[16] The Hindu, Tension in Uthiramerur as residents refuse to hand over gold to officials, December 14, 2020 03:13 am | Updated 03:13 am IST – CHENNAI.

[17] https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/tension-in-uthiramerur-as-residents-refuse-to-hand-over-gold-to-officials/article33322729.ece

The Idol-theft, temple desecration and illegal export of antique objects in Andhra and Telangana: Is it a political, politicized or organized racket? (3)

The Idol-theft, temple desecration and illegal export of antique objects in Andhra and Telangana: Is it a political, politicized or organized racket? (3)

May 29, 2021 – Kurnool – eight-member gang arrested: Owk police arrested a 6-member gang for allegedly practising witchcraft to unearth hidden treasure near Kanigiri Swamy temple premises in Yerramala forest[1]. Speaking to media persons on Friday, Owk Sub Inspector Jagadeeshwar Reddy said that six persons, Srinivasulu of Anantapur, Venkataramana of Owk, Dudekula Kadar Vali of Banaganapalle and Mekala Ramesh, Talari Hanumanthu and Golla Rangaswami of Goruman Palle in Kolimigundla after forming as a gang, tried to unearth hidden treasures near Kanigiri Swamy temple premises in Yerramala forest[2]. The 100-year-old Kanigiri Swamy temple is constructed in Yerramala forest zone, 8 kilometres away from Owk town. People will hardly visit the temple on normal days. Thus, they might have chosen such deserted and remote temples for looting.

Occult prayers and witchcraft practised to divine treasure: There was a rumour that precious treasures will be hidden beneath the temple or its surrounding areas. Believing the rumours, some treasure hunters used to dig the surrounding areas or demolish the age-old temples searching for hidden treasures. The six-member gang with greed to own the precious trove has sketched a plan to dig the temple premises. Taking the advantage of no one present on the temple premises, they first performed some occult prayers before commencing digging works. However, some locals noticed them and immediately brought it to the notice of the police, said the Sub-inspector. Based on the information, the police conducted a search operation at the forest zone. After a while of searching, all six members were caught and taken to the police station. A case has been filed under relevant sections and all accused would be sent to remand, stated the SI. Here, the local people appear to be honest and report to the police, so that the culprits were arrested.

April 12, 2021 – Nandi destroyed to find diamonds: Andhra Pradesh’s Chittoor police arrested 10 persons for stealing and destroying a Nandi idol from a temple in a Dalit colony in Jagamarla village, believing that diamonds were embedded inside it[3]. Police arrested M. Venkata Chalapathi (43), K. Srinivasulu (34), K. Hari (34), B. Sridhar (27), G. Venkatesh (24), P. Dasaradaiah (40), G. Narasimhulu (60), K. Ranga Babu (40), D. Prakash (34) and B. Munendra (29)[4]. On April 4, police received a complaint that the Nandi idol belonging to Vandana Malleswara Swamy temple, located in the Koundyana forest area near the Scheduled Tribes (ST) colony in Devalampeta locality of Jagamarla village in Palamaneru mandalam was stolen. Acting on temple priest S. Narasimhulu’s complaint, police registered a case under IPC Section 379 and started an investigation. Around 6.30 p.m. on Saturday, police received a tipoff that five people were moving suspiciously in the Jagamarla forest area, prompting the cops to round them up and question them. Chittoor superintendent of police (SP) S. Senthil Kumar said that Srinivasulu, also known as Ashwathama, belonging to Nagarkurnool district in Telangana and his local friend Hari from Kandada together went to check the idol on March 21, which they would eventually decamp with. Kumar said on March 26, Srinivasulu dispatched Hari, who along with Chalapathi, Sridhar, Venkatesh and Ranga Babu stole the idol and hid it in a pond at Gangasagaram village belonging to one Munindra.

The treasure hunters planned to do their job: The treasure hunters planned to break open the idol on March 27, 2021  but one of the thieves, Ranga Babu, came with Prakash Naidu, Narasimhulu, Dasaradhayya and Gopi to steal it again from the place where it was hidden. In the second theft of the idol, Ranga Babu and his accomplices stole it away to Poyya village in Thottembedu mandalam and buried it. On April 2, 2021 they dug out the idol and hammered it into pieces to find no diamonds in it. Since abandoning the idol pieces will raise suspicion, they threw the Nandi pieces in the Swarnamukhi river. “Gopi, who broke the idol into pieces died in a road accident three days ago while the remaining 10 accused have been arrested, along with the confiscation of an auto-rickshaw, one Tata Ace, three two-wheelers and the idol pieces,” he said. This incident comes in light of several alleged temple attacks which already rocked the southern state.

January 2021 – Police diaries reveal treasure hunters for Idols: The Indian Express looked at the case diaries of some of these cases, and found that treasure hunters were responsible for six of them. Director General of Police Damodar Goutam Sawang said 42 people had been arrested in these six cases[5]. Amid a political row in Andhra Pradesh over a series of incidents of vandalism of temples, with the ruling party and the Opposition pointing fingers at each other, The Indian Express has found that police investigations into these incidents show that the motive behind most of them was largely apolitical — from the hope of unearthing a treasure in one case to miscreants breaking into a temple in a drunken state in another[6]. However, Director General of Police D Gautam Sawang, however, said it was too early to comment on a possible political conspiracy behind the spate of attacks on temples[7].

Attack on temples: Andhra govt sets up SIT to investigate cases: As the temple desecration of all sorts became an issue, the Andhra govt decided to set up SIT to investigate cases[8]. Ranging from the destruction of idols of various Hindu gods and goddesses in Pithapuram in East Godavari district to the destruction of a statue of Lord Rama in Ramathiratham in Vijayanagaram district there were about 150 incidents in AP since January last year[9]. Incidents of burning of Prasanna Venkateswaraswamy temple chariot in Nellore, Lakshminarasimhaswamy chariots in Antarvedi and theft of silver lions of Sri Kanaka Durga temple chariot in Vijayawada have raised concerns among the people. Why are temples being attacked? Who is doing it? Investigative agencies have no answer to such questions. In the incident of destruction of the idol of Lord Rama in the Ramatirtham temple, silver ornaments of the deity were not stolen. This has happened in a number of cases coming to light in connection with the damage to temples in the state. Due to this, devotees and Hindu communities are commenting that the intention of those who are doing these things is clear. Despite this, there are criticisms that not apprehending the culprits will lead to more incidents.

March 2016 – Kadiri (Anantapur): Several heritage structures and ancient historical temples dating back to the 16th century AD in the district with rich cultural and historical value, are being systematically defaced and vandalised by treasure hunters, due to a lack of coordination between the departments of Endowments, Mines and Geology, Tourism and Archaeology[10]. About 200 treasure hunt teams both local and from neighbouring Karnataka are on the prowl for ancient treasure engaged in digging operations at secluded places with the help of sophisticated metal detectors, according to Archaeology and Museums department sources[11].

Vandalise structures, loot: Some of them had reportedly benefited from such secret excavations and turned into multi-millionaires overnight. Late Kaleshwar Swamy of Penukonda was a major beneficiary of such a bonanza from the treasure find nearly a decade ago. According to department sources, one person was killed six months ago in Penukonda, the hot seat of the treasure hunt due to clashes among the treasure hunt teams. Vested interests are digging up historical temples in Penukonda hoping to find precious gold and silver articles of antique value. Kadiri Lakshminarasimha Swamy temple and Penna Ahobilam temples are glaring examples of tampering of ancient structures in the name of renovation by the departments of Endowments and Tourism. This practice has become a matter of concern for lovers and students of history and also to the Department of Archaeology which is the chief custodian of all ancient structures in the country. Treasure hunters are the main culprits as they vandalise these structures, which are vulnerable as there is none to guard them. Archaeology assistant director Lakshmi Devi says there are no funds to guard temples and structures and idols of antique value and unless the Central and State governments allot funds for the purpose, guarding these treasure troves will be a difficult proposition.

Changes, modifications and meddling with structures could be investigated and known: Renovation, reconstruction, restoration and such other acts are also used for treasure hunting and meddling with the ancient and medieval structures. When such groups of persons of the Central or State archaeological departments work, nothing could be suspected. Nowadays, for digging, excavating and removing mud, earth-moving equipment like Bokline, JCB etc., are used and such job is carried on under “outsourcing,” where, outsiders are involved. “Consultants” and others also come and go and their interests are known only to them. The local people would be watching their activities and from them also details could be gathered by others. “Temple cleaning” groups, service doing devotees and others are too knowing many details about temples. Of course, regular visitors, committed devotees, and Kuladeivam-temple goers would be visiting many temples and they could recognize any change that occurred in the structure, as they have been witnessing them many times through decades. Some have photographs taken on those occasions.

Central Government instructions: The Ministry of External Affairs have sent advisories to Diplomatic Missions that their baggage should not contain any antiques which are more than one hundred years old except under the authority of a licence issued by the competent authority. The Government also lays stress on modernisation and strengthening of infrastructure relating to intelligence and enforcement agencies to enable them to take more efficient steps to prevent smuggling of antiques/ idols etc. out of the country. Now, efforts are made with foreign countries to identify, claim and bring back the Indian antiquities that have been illegally shipped out of India based on fake documents. In fact, many Idols have been received back also. In spite of all these efforts, as the State governments, certain vested politically connected officials, ruling politicians and others have been trying to violate the norms and procedure and thus, illegal activities thrive with their blessings. The result has only turned out to be Idol-theft, treasure hunting and looting, desecration and other unlawful activities.

© K. V. Ramakrishna Rao

18-09-2022

---

[1] HansIndia, Kurnool: 6-member gang held for treasure hunt,  The Hans India Hans News Service | 29 May 2021 12:00 AM IST.

[2] https://www.thehansindia.com/andhra-pradesh/kurnool-6-member-gang-held-for-treasure-hunt-688274

[3] Etv.bharat, Andhra police arrest 10 treasure hunters for hammering Nandi idol, Published on : April 12, 2021, 4.35 PM IST.

[4] https://www.etvbharat.com/english/national/state/andhra-pradesh/andhra-police-arrest-10-treasure-hunters-for-hammering-nandi-idol/na20210412163533733

[5] Indian Express, Andhra temple desecrations: treasure hunters to drunks, Written by Sreenivas Janyala, Hyderabad | First published on: 18-01-2021 at 04:30:49 am; Updated: January 18, 2021 1:32:37 pm

[6] https://indianexpress.com/article/india/andhra-temple-desecrations-treasure-hunters-to-drunks-7150638/

[7] Indian Express, Andhra Pradesh temple attacks probe points to political angle: Sources, Published: 07th January 2021 08:50 AM  |   Last Updated: 07th January 2021 10:42 AM.

https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2021/jan/07/andhra-pradesh-temple-attacks-probe-points-to-political-angle-sources-2246680.html

[8] Etv.bharat, Attack on temples: Andhra govt sets up SIT to investigate cases, Published on January 9, 2021, 8.27 PM IST.

[9] https://www.etvbharat.com/english/national/state/andhra-pradesh/attack-on-temples-andhra-govt-sets-up-sit-to-investigate-cases/na20210109202717149

[10] HansIndia, Treasure hunters ravage temples, THE HANS INDIA 4 Mar 2016 7:27 AM IST

[11] https://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Andhra-Pradesh/2016-03-04/Treasure-hunters-ravage-temples/211234

The Idol-theft, temple desecration and illegal export of antique objects in Andhra and Telangana: Is it a political, politicized or organized racket? (2)

The Idol-theft, temple desecration and illegal export of antique objects in Andhra and Telangana: Is it a political, politicized or organized racket? (2)

September 2022 – Nagulagudi, Rayachoti, Nandavaram, Kurnool district ransacked for treasure: Kurnool District, Nandavaram Mandal. The oldest temple in Rayachoti village is Nagula Gudi, a temple dating back to the Ashoka period. This temple is in the archaeological area. Night after night they dig in the mandapam for hidden treasures. If the way of digging is observed carefully, it is not done by humans, i.e, a machine was used. Locals complain that hidden treasures were stolen by digging with JCB. Andhra and Telangana have been witnessing many temple desecration, temple structure demolitions, Idol lifting, sculptures stealing, treasure hunting, chariots burning etc., going on for the last ten years. With the division of the Andhra State, formation of Telengana, changed governments, political ideology etc., these activities have been increasing.  Some videos have been in circulation in the social media. The police standing nearby the digging site confirms the incident.

December 16, 2021 – eight-members gang arrested: Kurnool police on Sunday arrested an eight-member gang of treasure hunters for allegedly digging up an ancient shrine at Maddikere village in Chippagiri Mandal of Chittoor superintendent of police (SP) S. Senthil Kumar said that Srinivasulu, also known as Ashwathama, belonging to Nagarkurnool district in Telangana and his local friend Hari from Kandada together went to check the idol on March 21, which they would eventually decamp with on December 16, 2021[1]. Briefing reporters about the case, Kurnool SP Kaginelli Fakeerappa said the local village revenue officer (VRO) had lodged a complaint claiming that some unidentified miscreants had dug up the ancient Ammavari temple in the village in search of hidden treasure[2]. In course of the investigation, police found that there was a popular belief in the Mandal that treasure may be hidden beneath the feet of Ammavari at the ancient shrine. According to the police, the prime accused, Dasari Venkatesh of Kubdanagurthi village, hatched a plan to dig up the temple to look for treasure. Thus, if this person is interrogated thoroughly, the motive could be known.

How the plan was hatched to loot: He shared his plan with his brother-in-law Jaya Ramudu. The duo roped in Mangali Venkateswarlu, O Bhaskar Reddy, Golla Peddaiah, P Mareppa and G Ramanjaneyulu. Fakruddin, the owner of an earthmover, was also roped in. The gang reached the temple on December 16 and executed its plan without a hitch. But the group had to return empty-handed as they did not find any treasure even after digging 10 feet below the shrine. Special teams probing the case arrested all eight accused on Sunday and seized one earthmover, three bikes and eight mobile phones from the accused.  Thus, here, when such activities were going on with earth mover, definitely, the nearby persons have known the activities.

Aug 14, 2021 Bikkavolu (Andhra Pradesh): In a startling development, the four Treasure Hunters who stole the ancient Nandi idol from the 9^th century Sri Golingeswara Swamy temple at Bikkavolu village in Andhra Pradesh’s East Godavari district in their quest for diamonds, had actually Surveyed and made a list of more than 15 Idols at various temples in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana[3].  Bikkavolu Treasure Hunters Surveyed Over 15 Idols in Andhra[4]. The police have arrested Chukkapatla Prasad (30) from Guntur district and Kunchala Venkatesh (26), a mason from Kandukuru in Prakasam district, while Guvvala Bhaskar Reddy from the same district and Ravi Pantulu from Nellore district are on the run. All these four accused persons had prepared the list of idols.

Idol lifting gang identified their target: The Idols which featured in their list include Veerabhadra Swamy and Nandi Idols at Unchala village in Kurnool district, Vinayakudu and Nandi Idols at Yanamadula village in Guntur district, three Nandi Idols at Guduru in Nellore district and another black Nandi idol in the same place. Likewise, Nandi idol and gold coloured ornaments at a Sivalayam in Ongole, finely sculpted and embellished Nandi idol in Nellore and another Nandi idol atop a pillar in Vinukonda Shivalayam also featured in the list. So they planned, studied and looted the temples.

The extended list of Idols to be stolen: The list also included a peacock idol in Nellore, Nandi idol in Kammampadu village in Guntur district, Nagula (serpent) idol and a broken idol of a God at Narsapuram in Prakasam district. A white Nandi idol at Kuduri village in Nellore district, a yellow Nandi idol at Injamuru village in the same district, a black Nandi idol at Someswaram in East Godavari district, Sivalayam at Jagityala district in Telangana and finally the Nandi idol they stole from Bikkavolu completed the list. The pater has been to steal particular type of Nandi from Shiva temples and thus, somebody would have ordered so.

Changed politics, anti-Hindu attitude etc: Two of the four accused persons — Prasad and Reddy — are well educated with post-graduate degrees, who fell for the make-believe tales of an accomplice, Pantulu, that ancient Idols contained diamonds which could be cracked open. Prasad is an MCA graduate while Reddy studied MBA.“The educated but broke quartet superstitiously believed that ancient Idols will have diamonds inside them,” said a police officer. This crime assumes significance as the southern state has seen a slew of alleged temple attacks, leading to provocative politics being played around these developments by political parties to corner the state government, making accusations that it is allegedly anti-Hindu[5]. Thus, such fact has been also explicitly revealed and reported by the media. Why and how such highly educated youth involved in Idol-theft cases? Either they must have been unemployed (this cannot be a reason, but, engaged in this job or they decided that such looting would fetch quick money in crores easily. Moreover, the atheist, anti-religion and other propaganda also must have conditioned and moulded their psyche to carry out such unlawful acts.

Iconoclast Idol-thieves: Following the police taking the temple offences with utmost seriousness and installing surveillance cameras in thousands of temples across the state, crimes have come down drastically[6]. Back in January, the East Godavari district police had caught a drunken butcher (name not mentioned) on camera for damaging the trident (trishul) of a local temple in Kakinada. Similarly, even in the Bikkavolu incident, the police managed to capture the movement of a suspect on CCTV surveillance, though not very clear. On Saturday, the police arrested two of the four Treasure Hunters and seized a car, besides recovering the smashed Nandi idol and a hammer.

July 2021 – Treasure hunt gangs ar Ahobilam area: Treasure hunters are exploring the Nallamala deep forest area to try their luck, particularly in the vicinity of the historic Ahobilam belt where a closed well in Lakshmi Narasimha Swami temple is believed to have treasure larger than that of Padmanabhaswamy temple[7]. The stone and palm leaf scriptures reveal that an underground den sealed with big stones just in front of the main deity contains a huge golden and diamond treasure hidden by South Indian King Sri Krishnadevaraya of the 16th century[8]. For three decades several attempts were made to plunder this treasure, but whoever attempted had died immediately, say locals[9]. “One archaeology professor, who tried to dig the surface, died on the spot when some poisonous fumes erupted from the side hole of the earth 20 years ago,” said a priest on the condition of anonymity[10]. Thus, the involvement of the professionals is also noted.

Whoever opens the treasure would die: “Recently, an engineer who attempted to break open the treasure not only failed in his attempt but also lost his life,” narrates Penchalayya, a tea stall owner at Ahobilam. Some people say former chief minister of Andhra Pradesh Marri Chenna Reddy also got some secret survey done in and around the temple to find out the treasure, but for some mysterious reasons, he withdrew from that task. Subsequently, no attempts were made by anyone to find the treasure. It is believed in Ahobilam that when the Ghajani Mohammad and other Arabs invaded on India to plunder the vast opulence of the then Indian Kingdoms, the Kings used to hide the treasures below the temples or in dens to protect them from being plundered by enemy countries. However, these details are not mentioned or studied and required references are not given. Thus, they are forgotten without understanding the background. Assuming that a “communal problem” might arise due to such studies, generally, the experts could avoid with secularism, but, the scientific temper must evoke them to study honestly without any bias. As even in the 21st century, people believe and engage themselves in such treasure hunt coupled with witchcraft, divining etc.

Guess about the location of temple treasure: The scriptures around the temple say the treasure cannot be taken out now as still, one more generation has to pass as per the dates of the scripture. So it is better not to make attempts to discover the treasure below the temple to avoid premature death, according to temple priests. Similarly in Vundavalli rock caves in the Guntur district of the state, there is a 15-foot single stone of Sri Anantha Padmanabha Swami statue which resembles Sri Anantha Padmanabha Swami of Tiruvananthapuram. It is said that there is a large treasure inside the caves and a secret tunnel towards the temple of Panakala Lakshmi Narasimha Swami which is located on a Passive Volcano on Mangaliri road.

Digging under and breaking Nandis: Last week (July 2011), in Gopanpalli village in Zaheerabad Mandal of Medak district, unidentified people entered an old Siddeswaraswamy temple located in the village and dismantled two Nandi statues in the pursuit of searching for treasure. Those who entered the temple for the treasure also offered prayers, lit lamps, and broke coconuts before digging. This is typical for the iconoclasts who have been imbibed with atheistic ideology. In yet another incident in the Malkapur village of Rangareddy district, unidentified people damaged the Shivalingam and Nandi statue hoping to find some treasure. The treasure hunters also dug up huge pits in the premises of the local Hanuman temple located on Bacharam-Korremula road in Hayathnagar Mandal in the same district of the state.

© K. V. Ramakrishna Rao

18-09-2022

---

[1] Times of India, Eight treasure hunters held for digging up ancient shrine in Andhra Pradesh, Sandeep Raghavan / TNN / Updated: Jan 11, 2021, 08:20 IST.

[2] https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/vijayawada/treasure-hunters-held-for-digging-up-shrine/articleshow/80202026.cms

[3] Indo-Asian News Service, Bikkavolu treasure hunters surveyed over 15 idols in Andhra, Telangana,  Posted by Sakina Fatima |  Updated: 15th August 2021 11:44 am IST

[4] https://www.siasat.com/bikkavolu-treasure-hunters-surveyed-over-15-idols-in-andhra-telangana-2178064/

[5] Telugu-stop, Bikkavolu Treasure Hunters Surveyed Over 15 Idols In Andhra, Telangana, News Desk- News Desk Last Updated Time: 2021-08-14 23:46:02  IST

[6] https://telugustop.com/bikkavolu-treasure-hunters-surveyed-over-15-idols-in-andhra-telangana-national-crimedisasteraccident-latest-eng-news

[7] Deccan Herald, Treasure hunt begins in Andhra temples, Hyderabad, July 16, DHNS:, JUL 16 2011, 23:43 IST; UPDATED: JUL 16 2011, 23:43 IST

[8] https://www.deccanherald.com/content/176929/treasure-hunt-begins-andhra-temples.html

[9] OneIndia, Treasures in AP temples worth more than that of Padmanabha?, By Anita | Published: Sunday, July 17, 2011, 12:09 [IST].

[10] https://www.oneindia.com/2011/07/17/treasure-in-ap-temples-more-than-that-of-padmanabha-aid0113.html?story=2

The Idol-theft, temple desecration and illegal export of antique objects in Andhra and Telangana: Is it a political, politicized or organized racket? (1)

The Idol-theft, temple desecration and illegal export of antique objects in Andhra and Telangana: Is it a political, politicized or organized racket? (1)

Anti-temple attitude, iconoclasm and Idol-theft etc in Andhra and Telangana: Recently, there have been many instances of temple attacks, desecration and demolitions taking place in Andhra and Telangana. Generally, the people of Tamilnadu think that their State has been prone to such temple-demolishing, idol-breaking, icon-lifting gangs working with political iconoclasm, anti-Hindu ideology and anti-iconogenesis morbid mentality. But, such psyche has been exhibited in Andhra and Telangana also is surprising and shocking. The mindset and ideology have been same as observed by the media and the Police. Thus, how Telugu-speaking people have been infested with a sinister psyche leading to iconoclasm has to be analyzed. How these stolen idols are passed on hands, whom they are sent, what is the destination, and finally who pays for such operations and such other questions are also to be answered. As for Andhra and Telangana are concerned, there has not been any systematic study of such event involved.

How deserted, mutilated and desecrated Idols are found at many remote places?: There have been thousands of temples situated across the state in the remote places and villages. For the people of those areas, they have been witnessing them for many generations.  The nonagenarians, octogenarians and other elders could give more details also. Many times, in local newspapers, there have been routine and stereotyped claims that a broken sculpture or inscription was found in a remote village, nearby temple, or in the paddy field and so on. Most of them have been there and known to local people and the visitors. However, some enthusiastic people take photographs and publish such stuff in the local newspapers, as they might be knowing some friends working there. Ironically, many times, for the same sculpture or inscription, there have been more than one “discoverer” and news reports appearing one after another or after a gap of some months.

Idol-theft started rising since 1980 in Andhra- Hundreds of Idols not traceable: During the 1980s, there was a sudden increase in thefts of Panchaloha idols and the spectre is once again returning with three cases of arrest in both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh recently[1]. Thus, it is clear that such activities have been going on since 1980 i.e, more than 40 years. In other words, they have been organized, planned and controlled. In one instance, three Panchaloha idols of deities Varadarajula Swamy, Sridevi and Bhoodevi from an ancient temple at Rajole in Kuravi mandal in Warangal district which were stolen on March 15, 2016, are now in safe custody but hundreds of idols from the temples across the two Telugu-speaking States are missing for years[2]. According to the Telangana State Department of Archaeology, about 38 idols from across Telangana and AP were recovered between 2008 and 2013 but these idols are the ones that the police hand over to the department once a case is resolved, for safe custody. According to experts, there are close to 100 precious idols that date back to over 300-400 years that come under “untraceable category”. This implies that such Idols were passed over to the regular smugglers and exporters of antiques and it is evident that the Andhra-Telangana gangs have nexus with them.

CAG Report on the Idol-theft and Telugu speaking people: Stolen idols data from 2014 till date is being corroborated, said an official and on condition of anonymity confirmed that there are at least a couple of cases reported every month  (may be 1000 in a year). According to a CAG report in 2013, 91 idols of archaeological importance in India had been missing or untraceable. Telangana State Department of Archaeology director NR Visalatchi says, “The police hands over the stolen idols to the department for safe custody. The department has its limitations in protecting the idols.” It is estimated that the illegal trade of art and artefacts is estimated to be worth Rs 40,000 crore a year. No doubt that the Tamil Nadu government started a special Tamil Nadu Police Idol Wing which is in constant touch with the US Homeland Security. But, the position of Andhra and Telangana is not known.

Many Idol-theft cases not reported: Though many precious idols go missing from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh every month and rarely get reported, there is no such wing in either State. So, it is shocking to know why such a wing has not been formed since 1950, when the Andhra state was formed first in India. In the garb of ‘researcher’ and ‘antique collector’ smuggling of international antiquities goes on which requires capital and connections. Such is the volume of stolen idols that earlier this year in June, the US government returned over 200 stolen idols to India during PM Modi’s visit. But there are thousands of idols stacked away in museums and private collections the world over. According to the National Crime Records Bureau, over 4,000 items were stolen from Indian temples just in a span of three years between 2010 and 2012 and in the past two decades about 2,913 idols and antiquities have been traced in museums. K Padmanabha, Deputy Director, Telangana Department of Archaeology says, “We recovered two Lord Rama, two Lakshmana and one each of Sita and Radha Devi idols that were stolen from Parlapalli village and date back to 400 years. There are scores of idols strewn across the State that need protection.” The expression “seen across” can be noted and understood. The fact is that the remote temples are regularly ransacked for the purpose and evidently the people of those areas must have been aiding and abetting the gangs foor monetary benefits,

Modus operandi of the Companies exporting the stolen Idols: The modus operandi is complex as companies buy and sell objects among themselves to hoodwink officials before forwarding them to auction houses and collectors. Objects are first shipped to Switzerland which is considered safe because of the free trade zone. Auction houses claim that they buy the objects from Swiss soil and not from India. Dealers have a deep network connecting remote areas of the country. The modus operandi used by smugglers is to prepare a copy of the looted antique and submit it to the Archaeological survey; once the tag of ‘non-antiquity’ is granted, the certificate is used to tag to the genuine antique and ship it out of the country. Smugglers use a paperless money remittance system (hawala) which is virtually untraceable. Ghiya from Jaipur and Subhash Kapoor, a US citizen (who is now in Tamil Nadu jail), have been involved in smuggling idols out of India for decades. Subhash Kapoor who owns Art of the Past, an art gallery in New York, is accused of smuggling more than $100 million worth of stolen art from India.

So here, the same questions are raised in the context of Andhra and Telangana: A careful analysis of events clearly points to an agenda, systematic plan and organized operations orchestrated by some unknown people of these two Telugu-speaking states.

1. Who hoodwinks the officials and deal with such antiques, selling and buying easily?
2. If Objects are first shipped to Switzerland which is considered safe because of free trade zone, how it is possible crossing so many authorities?
3. The modus operandi used by smugglers is to prepare a copy of the looted antique. Then, how such a duplicate Idol is manufactured, who has such highly sophisticated technology?
4. Producing moulds and dies, the alloy (of panchaloha), furnace and other equipment? They cannot be handled by ordinary people.
5. Who is granting the tag of ‘non-antiquity’?  [like F.J.A.Flynn case, many archaeologists, historians and others must have been involved]
6. Whether such person issuing such certificate has been unaware of the facts or is a part of the game-plan aiding and abetting?
7. How the duplicate is substituted[3] inside the temple?
8. How is it possible without the knowledge of so many of the temple, transport, logistics, handlers and others?
9. Having known a or conditioned so, how and who are making them silent and the whole issue is muted?
10. At the point of export, how the invoice, packing slip, Bill of lading and other documents are filed, who is getting such clearance?
11. After export, at the point of import (destination country), how are they cleared?
12. After crossing all hurdles, how they are again getting that antiquity, so that they can be auctioned, sold and bought?

Thus, the top persons are having contacts at destination countries to carry out the job, as per their agenda. As the profits have been in crores, they could easily bribe the intermediaries and operators with lakhs and thousands..

The statistics of temple desecration, looting etc in Andhra and Telangana: Under the TDP government, 163 temple offences were reported in 2015, 139 in 2017, 123 in 2018 and 177 in 2019, when the government transitioned to the YSR Congress Party.

Year	No. of desecration cases	Remarks
2015	163	As these have been reported and obviously – officially declared figures,the actual figures could be more, as the “untraceable” ones are also to be added with these figures.
2016	?
2017	139
2018	123
2019	177
2020	228

In 2020, a year that saw an uproar following the chariot burning at the Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple in Antarvedi, there were 143 alleged temple offences. In spite of the political overtones, and accusations against each other party and other vested interests, the fact remains that temples have been desecrated, idols stolen and many arrested. Thus, the investigations and motives clearly point to Idol-theft connected with the antique smuggling passing hands.  The political façade is perhaps thrusted to divert the issue and suppress the facts. Police are understood to have achieved some progress in the probe into attacks on temples in the state by tracing the mobile phone calls made by some of the suspects to some politicians[4]. When contacted, Director General of Police D Gautam Sawang, however, said it was too early to comment on a possible political conspiracy behind the spate of attacks on temples[5]. Let some incidences be studied in the context, to understand the intricacies.

© K. V. Ramakrishna Rao

18-09-2022

---

[1] HansIndia, Missing idols cause concern in Telangana, AP T P Venu, 14 Sept 2016, 9:28 AM IST.

[2] https://www.thehansindia.com/posts/index/Andhra-Pradesh/2016-09-14/Missing-idols-cause-concern-in-Telangana-AP/253744

[3] This is impossible without the knowledge of the priest, as he could immediately identify that the Idol has been replaced or changed. Then, the temple servants and workers of all categories, officials and nearby people can know the fact within time.  Thus, the gangs must have either cajoled or threatened the concerned persons and allow them to carry on such unlawful acts.

[4] Indian Express, Andhra Pradesh temple attacks probe points to political angle: Sources, Published: 07th January 2021 08:50 AM  |   Last Updated: 07th January 2021 10:42 AM.

[5] https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2021/jan/07/andhra-pradesh-temple-attacks-probe-points-to-political-angle-sources-2246680.html

The ruins of an ancient temple unearthed during the highway expansion works at Navelim, in Salcete, Goa

The ruins of an ancient temple unearthed during the highway expansion works at Navelim, in Salcete, Goa

Does salvage archaeology works well in India?: Salvage archaeology, has becoming famous, as such discipline goes to save, redeem and protect all the buried items would get excavated and delivered to safe places for preservation and protection. The word salvage may imply rescue, save, recover, retrieve, reclaim and so on, but, many times, it is not carried on properly, due to many reasons.  Accordingly, Salvage archeology or Rescue archaeology, sometimes called commercial archaeology, preventive archaeology, contract archaeology, or compliance archaeology, is state-sanctioned, for-profit archaeological survey and excavation carried out in advance of construction or other land development. Thus, if the contractors and others involved in the infrastructure development are honestly concerned about it, they could exploit, but, as they want to make quick money and get away from the government, public and other issues, they just suppress and carry on their work to complete, get money and go away. The Navelim temple ruins found at Goa, has been the classical example in this regard.

The condition, situation and status of the parts, pieces and chunks of granite stone of a temple

The doorway of the temple made of black granite

The ruins of an ancient temple unearthed in Goa- June 2020: The ruins of an ancient temple have been unearthed during the highway expansion works at Navelim, in Salcete[1], as reported by the Times of India and other local newspapers. Evidently, it was not attracted the attention of others of other states of India. The Goa State archaeology department was then reportedly approaching the PWD to allow them to supervise the work and salvage the remains, which they fear could become a casualty of the highway if they do not intervene[2]. However, as per the local people the ASI had already taken large portions of the temple in the early 1990s. In other words, the State department must have been aware of the position. Moreover, it was also mentioned in the media that 25 years ago, the Rodrigues family had found a defaced idol probably of Betal, which is installed in their property.  From the Rodrigues family only, the land of from Navelim, had been acquired for the highway expansion. Therefore, the State Archaeology dept. must have taken suitable steps following the principles of “Salvage archaeology,” when the PWD acquired the land for road expansion and strted excavation or digging.

The broken parts and sculptures could be that of 11^th – 14^th centuries and the the architecture is similar to that of the Tambdi Surla temple: The ruins of a temple possibly of the door of the sanctorum of what was of Lord Betal or Lord Shiva were found in Navelim during the highway expansion work[3], thus, the media started reporting. The ruins were found in the land of Rodrigues family from Navelim, which had been acquired for the highway expansion. According to Yogesh Nagvenkar from the History Lovers Group, the temple is between the 11th and 14^th Century during the Kadamba period and the architecture is similar to that of the Tambdi Surla temple[4]. The official confirmed that details from the Archives and Archaeology Department on the period of this temple would be revealed after the inspection of the ruins. It is learnt that 25 years ago, the Rodrigues family had found a defaced idol probably of Betal, which is installed in their property. Sources informed that the artifacts and pieces of the ruins found here will soon have a place for display in a museum planned in a small space in the Mahalasa Temple, Verna. The government will set up the museum. Locals informed that the ASI had already taken large portions of the temple in the early 1990s[5]. Many large stones were taken from the site before we learnt that more stones of the ruins have been found during excavation[6].

Broken parts, part of base

Archaeological experts have denied that this could be an instance of the Portuguese era when new religious structures were erected in place of existing ones: “One of the locals informed us of the remains that look like a temple structure. These were near the Chapel of St Xavier’s close to which the highway expansion project has been going on,” assistant superintendent of archaeology Varad Sabnis said. A joint inspection was conducted last week by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and archaeology department officials. Archaeological experts have denied that this could be an instance of the Portuguese era when new religious structures were erected in place of existing ones. The architecture of the St Xavier chapel is fairly recent, Sabnis said. “The chapel is a newly built one,” he said. “We would like to inspect the site when the work is ongoing to see if there are any more remains. The “denial mode” of te archaeological dept. officials was intriguing, as such happening had been the characteristic of Goa. The remains can be displayed either at the department or at the state museum,” Sabnis said. Sources said that the highway expansion works have currently halted due to the monsoon. The archaeology department is in the process of writing to the PWD to permit them access to the site. Experts estimate that the remains belong to the 13^th or 14^th century. However, an exact date and time stamp is yet to be placed on the find.

The Navelim temple ruins would be taken to museum: The Navelim temple ruins, which are currently in the custody of the department of archaeology, were likely to be shifted to a museum very soon[7]. Sources from the department said the files are moving very slowly, with the financial decisions especially affected due to the pandemic[8]. “We have kept the move on hold, but the remains are safe in our custody. We will be shifting them very soon either to the Goa state museum or some other location in the state that falls under the department of archaeology,” an archaeology official said. “The temple ruins are significant of the state’s architecture, so they will be displayed in the state itself after we decide the location,” the official added. Sources said that following the discovery of the excavated temple ruins, there has been no further find of the monument’s remains. The photos of broken parts, sculptures etc., have been copied from the video[9].

Why archaeologists, historian and other researchers ignore or unaware of these happenings?:  In the case of RJM-BM issue most of the historians, archaeologists, politicians, ideologists and others had been lecturing, tutoring, giving discourses and shouting slogans at WAC, IHC and other forums and even fighting with each others, deposing before the courts giving evidences according to their expertise etc., are silent or not found to make any comments or express their concern.

1. The condition, situation and status of the parts, pieces and chunks of granite stone of a temple prove that the existed temple was definitely demolished.
2. The way they had been wrecked, reduced to rubbles and found buried helter-skelter prove that such action was carried on wantonly.
3. The ruins could not have taken place due to any other reasons, as they were found in shambles, disintegrated and deteriorated, but for the status of granite.
4. The parts taken by the ASI in 1990s and these found at now, are studied together, by putting them to probable position, like zig-saw puzzle, the experts could get a full picture.
5. As more and more infrastructure development activities have started and been going spending hundreds and thousands of crores of rupees, there is nothing wrong in spending few lakhs for “rescue archaeology.”
6. As already many such works had place, it is not known, what were recovered, destroyed or details revealed or suppressed.
7. Even the organizations, Universities and institutions having research on the fields of archaeology, numismatics, art and architecture, history etc., have not taken serious concern and interest in these happenings.
8. In fact, the local students of related subjects could have been taken for field studies, as these areas have been with many such features and sculptures found at remote places.
9. Incidentally, the Goa (Regulation of Land Development and Building Construction) Act, 2008 (Goa Act 6 of 2008) and the Goa Land Development and Building Construction Regulations, 2010 (Incorporating Amendments upto September, 2018) cover all these activities. In the list, Navelim, Salete Taluka has been covered[10].
10. Therefore, the concerned state and Central archaeological departments must have taken suitable action and inspected the excavations carried or near the places of worship, monuments etc.

© K. V. Ramakrishna Rao

13-01-2021

---

[1] Times of India, Temple ruins found during road expansion at Navelim, Nida Sayed | TNN | Jun 29, 2020, 04:28 IST.

[2] https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/temple-ruins-found-during-road-expansion-at-navelim/articleshow/76679614.cms

[3] Herald.Goa, Archives Dept to pick old temple ruins found in Navelim,  03 Jul 2020, 05:03am IST

[4] https://www.heraldgoa.in/Goa/Archives-Dept-to-pick-old-temple-ruins-found-in-Navelim-/162541

[5] The Navhind Times, Temple ruins found during highway expansion at Navelim, By Navhind Times, 2020-07-01

[6] https://www.navhindtimes.in/2020/07/01/goanews/temple-ruins-found-during-highway-expansion-at-navelim/

[7] Times of India, Navelim temple ruins may be shifted to museum, TNN | Updated: Nov 12, 2020, 14:25 IST.

[8] https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/navelim-temple-ruins-may-be-shifted-to-museum/articleshow/79180646.cms

[9] Yogesh Nagvenkar – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOeSCHS-Tec, tracing link to –

https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/konkani_goa_news_live_today

[10]  The Goa (Regulation of Land Development and Building Construction) Act, 2008 (Goa Act 6 of 2008), p.85.

Tortoises and Turtles: myth and reality, their Scientific importance in the traditional cultures of the world! [1]

Tortoises and Turtles: myth and reality, their Scientific importance in the traditional cultures of the world! [1]

How I got the interest in maritime studies, Cholas, turtles etc: When I was studying in the Sri Ramakrishna Mission Higher Secondary School[1], Mahalakshmi Street [South Branch], I used to participate in the drawing competition. My competitor was P. V. Ganesh. Every year, we used to get first or second prize and in one year, for the first prize, I was given “Mungil kottai” a historical novel by Sandilyan. Of course, the writer Sandilyan [Bhashyam Iyengar] was residing in one of the houses, opposite to our school. Whenever, any exigency arose, the school authorities would go to him and invite him to preside over functions. Thus, he came and presented the book. I read it completely. Interested by the historical background, I went to the Local Library authority Library[2] and asked for a book written by Chandilyan. The librarian [Murugesan] shouted at me, “What, you are school boy, you want to read Chandilyan?” I told, “Yes, I got a book written by him as a prize. I am told, he wrote some book on shipping etc, I want that book.” He was abusing me, grumbling and finally, he brought “Kadal pura” from the shelf and gave to me with a grim face, of course with a warning also, “All these are not good, boy!” [If you read or imagine in Tamil his reaction could be understood.]

Candilyan’s Kadal pura [Historical novel] quoting the book of Radhakumud Mookerji on Indian shipping…….

Kadal pura, the Puranas and the aquatic species: For the whole day, I read it continuously and completed by evening. I got a fascination for the ship, captain “Agutha”, ocean, travelling by ship, boat, fish, tortoise, whale etc. As it was the first part, I rushed to the library asking for the second part. He was so furious shouting, “Do you think that we do not have any other work here………………go away………I shall cancel your membership………….” I was simply standing there….The closing time was approaching. I was struggling to request him with fear, “Sir…………………” He started locking book bureau one by one.  He came to me, “Go and come tomorrow, we can give only one book a day.” I returned with disgust, but, thinking of more about tortoises, kurmavatara etc., as I already read the Puranas in Tamil written by Srivatsa Somadeva Sarma[3] of “Vaithika Dharma Varthini”.

Sri Kurmanatha Swamy temple – pillars with inscriptions.

Sandilyan’s methodology of writing a historical novel: Anyway, I could read all the three volumes of “Kadal pura” and “Yavana Rani” also. Sandilyan used to give references of books, he relied upon to write the novels and also record, where those books were available. For example, he mentioned, “Radhakumud Mukherjee, Indian shipping available at Connemara library,” in the footnote in Kadalpura. I started insisting my uncle to take me to Connemara Library and get the book. He asked me mildly, “You cannot read such books, as the (English) language would be very difficult for you to understand.” As I continuously harassed me with my pranks, he took me to the library and got the book also. He taught me English and used to correct my papers. Thus, my interest in shipping, waters, fish etc. Once I got down into our well, but could not climb up. I was inside for one hour, then, “Thurwar-persons”[4] came and brought out of the well. During 1980s, I took a full-fledged interest in the Cholas and their maritime activities.

The location of Sri Kurmanatha Swamy temple, very near to the coast of Bay of Bengal or the Cholas lake. And it is near to Orissa cities on the coast, where the turtles lay eggs during the March season.

The location of Srikurmam, Sun temple, Rushikula river etc…The Sweta Pusjkarni is shown below:

A turtle coming out of sea waters.

A turtle coming out of sea waters and reaching the sand.

A turtle coming out of sea waters and reaching the sand. It roams for a while and turns towards sea……

going back to sea-waters……………

We see them one taking rest on the beach…….

We touch to know……………………………..

We touch to know……………………………..

Another delegate / friend wants to touch………………….

Decoding the myth of Kurmavatara: Earlier, I read all Puranas, Itihasas and related books in Tamil till school and then in English after college. Definitely, the Kurma Purana gives intrinsic and clear-cut details about the creation of the world, life, animate and inanimate things, etc., particularly, how they were brought out of the darkness. Interestingly, Kurma Purana has been translated into the major European languages including English, German and French. The extant Kurma-Purana, has been classified as a 15^th Mahapurana and is dated to 4^th to 9^th centuries period CE, considering the interpolations. The Puranas mention five characteristics or main topics of a Purana[5] (especially of a Mahapurana), viz –

sarga (creation),

pratisarga (dissolution and re-creation),

vamsa (dynastic lists or genealogy of kings, sages and gods),

Manvantara.’s (periods of Manu-s each being equal to 71 Mahayuga-s) and

the vamsanucarita (accounts of individual kings, ‘sages, and gods mentioned in the genealogical lists).

In Kurmapurana, all details are available. The Khurma / Tortoise was taken figuratively for the flat surface of the earth with its cardinal points. These details have been found in the ancient literature of all other ancient civilizations. But, after the medieval period and colonization, most of the literature and medieval evidences were destroyed and hence they are not discussed. As the earth floats in the cosmos with its oceanic waters, mountains etc., attracted towards its centre with the force of gravitation, the tortoise too controls and protects its body by withdrawing all its limbs within the shell. The mathematics of Srichakra and Mahmeru are also linked, as the 3D structure is carried on its back. The idea conveyed is that these figures are perfect to be obtained in reality.

Visiting sea coasts, temples connected with turtle etc: I had an opportunity to visit Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, and the Maldives to attend conferences. At those times, I went to maritime museums, beaches and interacted with the local people enquiring details about the medieval maritime activities connected with the Cholas. Only a few could give details about the past, as most of the guides and local people either they deny that they do anything or avoid discussion and go away apologetically. I visited Bengal, Assam, Megalyaya, Tripura, and Orissa many times to attend conferences and seminars. I could find the Cholas connection with Orissa and Bengal. When I started visiting Andhra Pradesh, now Telangana also to attend APHC and THC also, I could visit many coastal cities and towns up to Orissa / Odhissa. . Along with some delegates of APHC, in January  8^th to 10^th, 2016, when I was in Srikakulam, visited the temples situated near to the coast and the beach also. But, as modernization goes fast in the construction of buildings, roads and others, slowly, the temple surroundings are changing. Everybody is interested in commercialization of everything, forgetting the past.

Sri Kurmam, Kurmanatha Swamy Temple: Sri Kurmam is a village in the Gara Mandal of Srikakulam, located approximately 13 km east of Srikakulam town near the sea. It is located at a latitude of 18° 16′ N, a longitude of 84° 1′ E and an altitude of 17 meters (59 feet), thus puts the temple about 3 km from the Bay of Bengal. According to inscriptions in the temple dated 1281 CE, the Kürmakshetra was re-established by Sri Ramanujacharya under the influence of Jagannatha Deva at Jagannatha Puri. Later the temple came under the jurisdiction of the king of Vijayanagara. The visit of Ramanuja in the eleventh century created a religious fervour among the people both in Orissa and Andhra Pradesh towards Vaisnava movement.

The temple is dedicated to Sri Kurmanatha, the second avatar of Lord Vishnu, Kurma Avatar. Srikurmam inscription mentions that the daughters of certain Nayak families of Kalinga were accepted as dancing girls in the temple of Srikurmam which was encouraged by Narasinghadev I. The first known identification of the deity of Puri temple as Jagannatha comes from the Srikurmam inscription[6] of Bhanudeva II, which is dated to 1309 CE. Incidentally, Bhanudeva – II has been mentioned with an epithet, “viswabhara-bhara-vahana-mahaniya” –  that is just like Vishnu-Purushottama, he carried the burden of the earth on the back in the form of a tortoise[7].  Narahari Tirtha (d. 1333 CE) was a scholar and one of the disciples of Madhvacharya (1238-1317 CE), who patronized the temple. Traditionally, Narahari is also considered to be the founder of Yakshagana and Bayalata, a dance form which still flourishes in parts of Karnataka and Kasargod in present-day Kerala.

Narahari Thirth in Kalinga from 1264-1294 CE: Many inscriptions at Srikurmam and Simhchalam refer to Narahari Bhrathi, Narahari Maphada or Narahari Tirth giving authentic information about his activities in Kalinga. The accession of Bhanudeva I to the Ganga throne in 1264 coincided with the arrival of Narahari Thirtha in Kalinga after his initiation to Dvaita philosophy by Madhva. He remained in Kalinga till 1294 and wielded considerable influence during the reign of Bhanudeva I and his son Narasiroha II. Narahari Thirtha left Kalinga in 1294 during the reign of Narasimha II. He constructed a temple of Yogananda Narasimha in front of the temple of Srikurmam in 1281. Generally, it is done to reduce the “ugra” (great effect, affecting certain devotees). Before Narahari Tirtha left Kalinga he installed the idols of Rama, Sita and Laxmana in the premises of Srikurmam temple. A. K. Mohanty[8] has rightly pointed out, “The humble beginning made by Ramanuja culminated into a cultural revolution by the activities of Narahari Tirtha. Ramanuja had simply converted Srikurmam and Simhachalam temples as Vaisnava shrines but Narahari Tirtha raised these two places as great centres of Vaisnava religion and faith…… Ramanuja and Sri Chaitanya came and left, but Narahari Tirtha remained with the people, spent 30 years with them,……”. Thus, the great services of Narahari Tirtha have to be remembered. In the temple itself, there as been a space for tortoises to roam and they are protected.

Rushikulya river and the place, where turtles visit to lay eggs: The eastern Indian state of Odisha is known worldwide for seasonally hosting olive ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) en masse as they visit the seashore along the Bay of Bengal for mass nesting[9]. This spring (March 2020), however, heralded a surprise for the marine conservationists and state forest department, who witnessed mass nesting of the species during the day after nearly seven years[10]. Rushikulya is situated in the Ganjam district of Odisha along the Bay of Bengal and is one of the most prominent locations for olive ridley mass nesting, an annual feature where female turtles arrive on the beach to prepare their nests and lay their eggs[11]. Such mass nesting events are called arribadas (a Spanish word meaning arrival).

Nesting of olive ridley turtles, Odisha – March 14 to 21:  Coming to the turtles laying eggs, hatching, preservation etc., the efforts taken are discussed. The olive ridley turtle is considered the most abundant sea turtle in the world, with an estimated 8,00,000 nesting females annually[12]. The olive ridley is globally distributed in the tropical regions of the South Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. They are listed as vulnerable in the IUCN Red list and are also protected under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. According to wildlife experts, in India, while states like Maharashtra, Goa, and the offshore Andaman islands witness sporadic nesting of olive ridley turtles, Odisha is the only state in India that sees mass nesting of olive ridley turtles. Rushikulya and Gahirmatha are the two principal mass nesting sites at this point in Odisha. the Rushikulya rookery hosted 330,000 olive ridleys during this mass nesting phase. The breeding season for the turtles spreads from November to May including mating, nesting, and hatching. Each turtle can lay between 100 to 160 eggs in an hour,” explained Sahu. At Gahirmatha marine sanctuary, as many as 407,194 olive ridley turtles laid eggs from March 14 to March 21. Combined with the number of turtles that nested at Rushikulya, government officials claim close to 800,000 turtles have come to nest.  As per the Forest Department, till the second week, more than 2,78,502 female turtles have nested at the coast[13]. This year, they have estimated that at least 4.75 lakh turtles would come out to nest on the Rushikulya beach alone[14]. According to estimates, more than six crore eggs would be laid this year 2020. The Gahirmatha Beach in Kendrapara district of Odisha (India), which is now a part of the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary, is the largest breeding ground for these turtles. Between 1993 and 2003, more than 100,000 olive ridley turtles were reported dead in Odisha, India from fishery-related practices[15]. Another major project, in India involved in preserving the olive ridley sea turtle population, was carried out in Chennai, where the Chennai wildlife team collected close to 10,000 eggs along the Marina coast, of which 8,834 hatchlings were successfully released into the sea in a phased manner[16]. Under the guise of preserving the turtles etc., these activities have been going on. Who is sponsoring for the activities, etc., are not known. How the common people of India are going to get benefitted also not known. But, in the concept of “Kurmavatara,” the tortoises and turtles have been divinized and even made God and hence respected, venerated and protected in the sanctum sanctorum.

© K. V. Ramakrishna Rao

24-05-2020

[1] Sri Ramakrishna Mission Higher Secondary School has three branches – Main (opposite to Panagal Park), North (Next to NTR House) and South (Mahalakksmi st) – all in T. Nagar.

[2]  At that time it was situated just opposite to the “National Theatre,” Lake View Road, West Mambalam, Madras.

[3] His house was there in the Station Road, West Mambalam. I used to go to him to buy books and magazine.

[4] The experts, who could jump into well waters, scoop out dirt and make water good. They would come with ropes and assistants.

[5] Ahibhushan Bhattacharya, The Kurma Purana (with English translation), All India Kashi Raj Trust, Varanasi, 1972, Introduction, pp.i-iii.

[6] Epigraphia Indica, Vol. V, p. 35. Also see D.C. Sircar, “Ganga Bhanudeva II and PurushottamaJagannatha”, Journal of the Kalinga Historical Research Society, Vol. 1, No. 3, p. 251-53.

[7] JASB, Vo.XVII, p.195.

[8] Mohanty, Abhay Kumar, Narahari Tirtha a study of his life and work, PhD thesis, Utkal University, 1993

[9] Mongabay, Olive ridleys day-nest in Odisha after seven years, but no link to lockdown say experts, by Manish Kumar, Sahana Ghosh on 1 April 2020

[10] https://india.mongabay.com/2020/04/olive-ridleys-day-nest-in-odisha-after-seven-years-but-no-link-to-lockdown-say-experts/

[11] The Hindu, Undisturbed mass nesting of Olive Ridleys at Odisha’s Rushikulya rookery, Sib Kumar Das, BERHAMPUR, MARCH 25, 2020 21:43 IST, UPDATED: MARCH 26, 2020 09:55 IST

[12] https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/coronavirus-lockdown-undisturbed-mass-nesting-of-olive-ridleys-at-odishas-rushikulya-rookery/article31166566.ece

[13] Times of India / India Times, Turtles return to Odisha’s coast for nesting as humans are locked inside, TRAVEL NEWS, ORISSA, Mar 27, 2020, 11.31 IST

[14] https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/destinations/lakhs-of-endangered-olive-riley-turtles-return-to-odishas-coast-for-nesting-as-humans-are-locked-inside/as74841524.cms

[15] Deccan Chronicle, Over 8,000 turtle hatchlings released, DC Correspondent, Published May 23, 2014, 12:01 pm IST; Updated Apr 1, 2019, 6:22 am IST

[16] https://www.deccanchronicle.com/140523/nation-current-affairs/article/over-8000-turtle-hatchlings-released

Role of History and Archaeology in promoting Tourism in India

Role of History and Archaeology in promoting Tourism in India

K. V. Ramakrishna Rao

ICHR sponsored national seminar: The department of Ancient history and archaeology and Indian council of Historical research organized a two-day national seminar on “Role of History and Archaeology in promoting Tourism in India” at the N. D. S. Hall[1] (G33), Centenary building of University of Madras on October 28^th and 29^th, 2013. A photo exhibition on “Indian tourism monuments and South Indian epigraphy” was also arranged in the same hall launched by ASI, Southern Circle, Temple Survey Project and Epigraphy Branch, Fort St George, Chennai.  As many as 300 photographs of Indian historical monuments, sent in by 26 circle offices of the Archaeological Survey of India, were on vivid display on the occasion[2].

Visitors to the photo exhibition – photo courtesy – The Hindu

The seminar brought together archaeological experts and eminent personalities working in the area of tourism for preparation of a tourism atlas as a guiding tool for tourists in the country[3]. The Central government institution, Indian Council for Historical Research (ICHR) supported the varsity by providing the funding around Rs 1 lakh, which was utilized for providing food and lodging to the participants who came from all over India to present papers on the topic.

Invitation – photo courtesy – Vijayakumar

As many as 80 academicians presented papers on the occasion. The entries were selected from a pool of 160. The bottom-line of the event was that tourism was not just meant for enjoyment, but an educative process[4].

Entrance to the Department of Ancient History and archaeology, Madras University

Inauguration of the Seminar: On October 28^th, the first day of the seminar, the delegates and others were invited by Dr J Soundararajan, coordinator of the seminar. The Seminar Abstract was released by Prof Dr R. Thandavan[5], Vice Chancellor of the University.

Release of Abstract – photo courtesy Dinamalar

The VC had been so humane in his address remembering and recalling his association with the persons and places that is also a part of tourism. Dr T. S. Sridar IAS, Addl. Chief Secretary to Govt. of India inaugurated the photo exhibition and gave the presidential address. Pointing out the thousands of years old archaeological sites and other monuments, he stressed that by visiting those places, the factors related to culture, architecture, tradition could be understood and appreciated. The awareness about the protection of ancient monuments had been increasing throughout the world. None could estimate the value of the monuments, temples and other sculptures on India in terms of money. Therefore, awareness could be created by conducting this type of seminars. Government had also enacted many acts to preserve and protect the monuments. There should be coordination among different organizations dealing with the issues for the betterment of tourism. When such cooperation was achieved then, there would be more facilities created to the tourists and the number of tourists would also be increased[6].

Prof / Dr Rajukalidos, Dr R. Thandavan, Dr T. S. Sridar, Dr P. D. Balaji, Dr M. Seran

Keynote address by Dr Rajukalidos: The keynote address was given by Dr Rajukalidos, former Dean of Arts & Dept of Sculpture and Art History, Tamil University, Tanjore. Unlike others in Conferences and seminar, he told that as his full paper had been printed in the Abstract booklet, he would like to delve upon other facts, instead of repeating what he had already written in it[7]. He argued that sensitivity about the heritage of monuments should be inculcated among all, so that the artistic tradition could be preserved and developed. The difference between pilgrimage and tourism type of picnic was also pointed out by him.

lighting of Kutthuvilakku of course with a candle

Facilitations and technical session (28-10-2013): The facilitations of Prof / Dr / Thiru P. Venkatesan, Deputy Director (Retd), ASI, South Zone, Bangalore; P. D. Balaji Head I/C of the department of Ancient history and archaeology, Madras University; and others followed and concluded with vote of thanks by M . Seran, Technical officer of the department. After this, the technical sessions started with the presentation of papers by various researchers of different disciplines. Except few papers that were in Tamil, all others were presented in English touching upon various aspects of usage of History and Archaeology for the furtherance of Tourism.

Abstract of National seminar: The “Abstrat” volume contains 80 papers listed of 90 pages. The introduction by Dr J Soundararajan has been informative providing the list of the preceding HODs and archaeological sites excavated by the department. It also contains a brief about ICHR, the theme of the seminar and the sub-themes, and full papers of Dr J Soundararajan and Dr Rajukalidas (keynote address).

K . Karuppaiah presents paper – R K K Rajarajan on the dais

Technical session (29-10-2013): The paper presentation session continued on October 29^th also. A group of students from Sindhi College of Arts and Science, Chennai – 79, attended with the presentation of papers also. Afternoon, the valedictory function was held in which Dr Koteswara Prasad, Registrar I/C, Dr R. Kannan IAS, Principal secretary to TN govt and other officers of ASI and University attended. Dr R. Kannan through PPT showed how the Museum has been renovated and remodeled according to the international standards.

a section of the audience

Brief about paper presentation and discussion: The papers delved upon the famous tourist places (temples, forts, palaces), archaeological sites (Poondi, Chittor, Mahabalipuram), protected monuments (Tanjore, Mahabalipuram), and economic aspects of tourisms. Few papers contrasted tourism and pilgrimage. One paper presenter pointed out that more than 80 types of tourisms had been identified in the LPG regime. Incidentally several papers were about Vellore and Vellore Fort in particular and Thanjavur. Some papers were in general deviating from the theme of the conference.  Some papers were also presented in Tamil. The interaction among the paper presenters, discussants, researchers and others had been lively bring out new ideas, data and information proving the multi-disciplinary scope of the subject matter. In fact, different professionals from engineering, medicine, anthropology, and other fields attended the seminar. One electronic engineer explained s to how the scientific tools and models could be used for the promotion of tourism. Dr J. Soundararajan as a Coordinator of the seminar was contacting personally with every paper presenter and making it successful and useful to the participants. Excellent arrangements were made for the outstation delegates to stay and food for all who attended the seminar on both days. The college and school students came to listen to the papers and as well as see the photo exhibition. Definitely, now general public have developed more interest in tourism.

a section of the audience

1838 – a section of the audience

engineer presenting paper

1857 – engineer presenting paper

a section of the audience

1858 – a section of the audience

a section of the audience

1859 – a section of the audience

a section of the audience

1871 – a section of the audience

1872 – a section of the audience

1873 – Rajarajan, Damodaran, Gowthaman

1874 – Viramani, Rajarajan, Damodaran, Gowthaman

1875 –

1876 – a section of the audience

1877 – a section of the audience

Second day of the Seminar

1878 – S Rajavelu presents paper

1882 – a section of the audience

1884 – Dr S. Vasanthi, Commissioner State Archaeology dept., presenting paper

1886 – Valedictory session

1888 – Dr R. Kannan IAS, Principal secretary to Govt, TN.,  presentation on the museum renovation

---

[1] N. D. S – N. D. Sundaravadivelu, one of the former VCs of Madras University.

[2] ‘Tourism is more educative than fun’ By Express News Service – CHENNAI; Published: 29th October 2013 08:28 AM; Last Updated: 29th October 2013 08:29 AM

[3] http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/encouraging-tourism-the-archaeology-way/article5282656.ece

[4] http://newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/Tourism-is-more-educative-than-fun/2013/10/29/article1860836.ece

[5] Earlier HOD of Political Science and Anna Studies, University of Madras.

[6] http://www.dinamalar.com/news_detail.asp?id=837804

[7] Rajukalidos, History, Archaeology and Tourism, Abstract of National seminar, pp.18-28.