Orissa Review * January - 2004 Maraguda Valley Excavations A Study of Socio-Religious Scenario Dr. C.B. Patel Maraguda Valley (82.28'E an d20.43'N) nestles and achievements as testified by the discovery amidst the graceful spurs of Sunabeda Plateau of numerous and diverse implement types of in Nawapara District of Orissa. The spectrum lithic cultures and evidence of domestication of hill range is romantic as also the recent of animals and plants. During the Puranic explorations and excavations of the exuberent period the region was known to have been part city ruins with unprecedented socio-religious of Nisadha Kingdom of the epic fame. In the connotation of early Indian city civilization. Mahabharata and Ramayana it was known as Of late, the site has been identified as the Kantara which later on finds mention in the capital city of South Kosala of hoary fame. historical record of Allahabad pillar Situated at the historical and cultural junction inscription of Samudragupta. Mahabharata has of Magadha, Madhya Pradesh, Deccan and not specified the location of Nisadha but has Orissa, the city has been a place of absorbing referred to its capital Giriprastha which seems interest and paramount historical importance to have been the Maraguda valley region. We through the ages. Recent archaeological find the area mentioned as Atabika territory in operations have brought to light startling the rock edict of Ashok. In the Hatigumpha information about the prosperous classic inscription of Kharavela this part was called metropolis. The famous Chinese traveller Vidhyadharadhivasa and was famous as a Hiuen Tsang who visited the bustling city military recruiting centre. In the Satavahana during the 1st half of the 7th century A.D. record, it finds mention as Mahabana. It formed describes it as spreading over 40 li or 10-15 part of Asmaka Mahajanapada in the early km. circuit area having excellent religious Buddhist list of Sodasamahajanapadas of institutions, magnificent residential apartments, Anguttaranikaya. In the Seravanijia Jataka the massive fortification and efflorescent palace place was famous as a brisk trade centre. complex, as the majestic imperial metropolis During the mythological period it was part of with acropolis and seat of cultural culmination Dandakaranya, Daruvana and Tapovana. Many of Kosala kingdom. Saivacharya and sages of hoary fame hailed from Tapovana of this part. Subsequently the Historical Perspective : region came to be known as Kosala Kingdom Since the pre-historic days Maraguda in the early historical period. With the rise of valley has been the cradle of human activities the illustrious and mighty Nala rulers in the 57 Orissa Review * January - 2004 3rd century A.D. Maraguda valley emerged as discourse on various aspects of religion. the classic capital city of Kosala and thrived Saivism assumed new dimension with the for centuries with prosperity. introduction of Saktism into its fold. From a The valley was fortunate in having a stone seal inscription of 5th century A.D. it wonderful landscape of hills and dales quite was known that one Dhimatisvara was the chief befitting to nourish a rich civilisation as Saivacharya or Chancellor of the monastery. revealed by recent excavations corroborated Excavation have also revealed two early by Hiuen Tsang's travel account. Many scholars temple complex. In one, inside the garbhagriha have identified the site as capital city of Kosala was found enshrined a Saktipitha around which Kingdom referred to by Hiuen Tsang. Of late, a pradakshinapatha had been built. In the painstaking researches have further testified its sanctum of another brick temple we find the identification. Hiuen Tsang who extensively image of Goddes Durga in situ, four feet high. travelled in India from 630-645 A.D. narrates The deity is two armed and stands in alidha or that from Kalinga, he went north-west by hills archer's pose on a rampant lion. There is an and woods for about 1800 li to reach Kosala inscription on the pedestal in the script of 5th country which was 6000 li in circuit, century A.D. which reads "Mahesvari surrounded by marshes and mountains with its Bhavada". The discovery of a number of other capital city 40 li or 10 kms. in circuit. The soil Yogini images further indicates that Saivism of the country was rich and fertile, the towns proliferated at an astonishing tempo with and villages were closed together, the people marked bias to Saktism. The temple building were prosperous, tall of stature and black in activities of South Kosala began at Maraguda colour and the ruling king was a Kshatriya by Valley at this juncture. It was also famous as birth. He further refers to Po-Lo-Mo-Lo-Ki- the centre of Mattamayura or Saiva-Siddhanta Li or Gandhmardan hill 300 li to the south- school of Saivism. The amalgamation of west of capital city. In the light of the reference Saivism with Saktism at Maraguda gave rise of the Chinese pilgrim, Maraguda valley has to the composite tantricism that had been identified as the capital city of Kosala revolutionary reflections in art and tectonic country. The Nala king Viruparaja was very forms and enchanting echo in social and probably ruling at the time of his visit. cultural order. The concept of worship of Linga on Saktipitha was in vogue at this period. Saiva Siddhanta and Tantricism : Purusa and Prakruti, Siva and Sakti were thus Maraguda valley witnessed the conceived as inseparable and worshipped outbrust of great religious activities as Saivism together. and Saktism were known to have flourished Artistic Excellence : greatly. Excavaion carried on at Trisul mound has brought to light a gigantic Saiva religious Apart from the cult icons we find many complex. It was an unique monastery consisting secular sculptural representations especially of temples, residential apartments, recreation of the damsels pulsating with the sap of life ground with parks and orchards, built in 5 tier and vigour. The pantheon gradually spread and projections. Saivacharyas were coming from adorned niches and facades of temples in the far and wide and residing here to make slender form of Alasakanya, Apsara and 58 Orissa Review * January - 2004 Surasundari resplendent with all conceivable India like that of Hastinapur, Vaisali, seductive postures and coguettis gesture Pataliputra, Taxila, Kalinganagar and rendering life to the artistic creations. Sisupalgarh, etc., every way being comparable The art and architectural heritage of to Greek, Roman or West Asian cities of 2000 Maraguda valley is imposing. Keeping pace years ago. Hiuen Tsang known to have visited with the theoritical concept of the the town in early part of 7th century A.D. and multiplication of gods and goddlings of the has left graphic account about it. Huge ruins various pantheon, the artists and sculptors have been discovered at various stages of reflected them in the medium of stone carving decay throughout the valley. They need further and creations. The economic prosperity of the survey, study, exavation and documentation. city offered a most conducive atmosphere for The extent of the brick and stone ruins thus prolific attainment of the excellent artistic gives the impression that Maraguda valley traditions of South Kosala. Among the secular literally 'Dead Fort' was a brisk city of South sculptures, the figure of a dancing girl, hastily Kosala in ancient time. tieing gingling ornaments-nupura, while the List of Site and Mound Complexes drumers and pipers waiting near-by is Explored : exceptionally interesting testifying to the 1. Chandi Temple Mound, 2. Bairbhadi prevalent of the folk dance diction in early city Complex, 3. Nakti Kachhar Complex, 4. Bag life. The discovery of another female figure Kachhar Complex, 5. Girivarnala Valley, 6. holding in one hand a mirror and applying Jhalap Complex, 7. Deol Dangar Complex, 8. vermilion in the other, speaks of the popularity Bhedomal Chatan Complex, 9. Chheliagarh of the beauty culture in the life of the ancient Complex, 10. Hatigorra Complex, 11. Trisul city-dwellers. Hill Complex, 12. Manikgarh Complex, 13. With the imposing fortification, Godhas Valley Complex, 14. Jalki Complex, magnificent Ranimahal, spacious court hall and 15. Lorra Complex, 16. Daniraja Mound the gigantic Saiva Vihara Complex, Maraguda Complex, 17. Bepari Mahal Complex, 18. valley was known to have been a wonderful Raital Sagar Complex, 19. Ranimahal capital city of South Kosala. Shortly, the site Complex, 20. Chingra Kachhar Citadel is going to be submerged in the Upper Zonk Complex, 21. Chandan Mahal Complex, 22. Irrigation Project and therefore now there is a Bhunjia Mahal Complex, 23. Ranimunda great need to preserve its variegated rich Complex, 24. Patrani Mahal Complex, 25. cultural past whose importance is in-estimable Ghasiamunda Complex, 26. Tej Mahal representing achievements going back to dawn Complex, 27. Tank and Temple Complex, 28. of civilisation. Ramparts and Moat Complex, 29. Bhandara Mahal Complex, 30. Bhim Mahal Complex, 31. Recent Explorations : Phulwari Mahal Complex, 32. Daku Kachhar The author has made extensive Complex. exploration and now a large number of mounds and brick ruins have been identified over Excavations : twenty km radious area and it seems Maraguda In the first phase, the archaeological valley was one of the biggest cities of ancient spade work began at Daniraja temple mound 59 Orissa Review * January - 2004 complex in Tikrapada and at Bepari Mahal in civilisation was thus exposed and its nature Maraguda village area. The initial results are ascertained. Work is going on to ascertain far-reaching. A burnt brick temple of early further details such as cultural sequence and Kosalian architectural pattern was dug out. It chronological horizon. The ramparts and consists of a sanctum a vestibule, outer fortification walls were also exposed. Traces chamber and an entrance in vertical plan. of an internal moat is also met with. Thus the Traces of the Pradakshinapatha around the planning and layout of the fortified capital city sanctum and kakshasana projections on both of South Kosala kingdom was known from the sides of the middle chamber exposed.