Kushan carpet antiquities are scattered in Virbhadra

 

Kushan carpet antiquities are scattered in Virbhadra

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Dinesh Kukreti

After joining the list of 11 national monuments of the archaeological site excavated by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) near the ancient Shree Veerabhadreshwar temple situated on the banks of the Ganges and Rambha rivers near Pashulok in Rishikesh, the pilgrimage has now got historical recognition.  is.  In the Puranas, King Veerakhadreshwar Mahadev temple is associated with the demolition of King Daksha Prajapati.  From the year 1973 to 1975 near the same temple, excavation was done by ASI under the supervision of archaeologist NC Ghosh.  During this period, a Shaiva temple, huge havan pool and the remains of ancient buildings were found here.

In addition, three cultural stages, from the first century to the eighth century, were found in the Kushan pottery, the remains of brick, coins and burnt bones of animals.  These ancient relics were preserved here by ASI.  Around 2000, these sheds were better protected and a tin shed was constructed here by ASI.  Now this excavation site has been included in the list of 11 national monuments by the Central Government.  With this initiative, this place will not only become a center of tourist attraction, it will also prove to be important for the students and researchers of history.

The remains of three periods were found in the excavation

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In the initial phase, the remains of the wall built of raw bricks were found.  Which are from the first century to the third century.

In the middle phase, the floor built from pieces of ripe bricks and the remains of the Shaiva temple were found.  It dates from the fourth century to the fifth century.

Residential structures built of baked bricks came to light in the final (later) phase.  It dates from the seventh century to the eighth century. 

More than two thousand years old history

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The history of the Virbhadra region is more than two thousand years old.  The objects found in the excavation here show that Virbhadra was a historical and mythological city.  They were inscribed 'Bhadra Mitrasya Droni Ghata' (Bhadramitra, the guard of this ghat on behalf of Droni (Doon)).  The Veerabhadreshwar Temple was built from the north Kushan period walls and had a Shivalinga on its Bhadrapith.  According to the Puranas, Shiva's Bhairav ​​Veerabhadra himself established this Shivling.  Looking at the foundation of the excavated place, it can be said that there must have been a huge Shiva temple with many chambers.  At present, only the foundation is safe in the name of the remains of the temple here.  The platform of Yagya, the place of Nandi bull, idols of Lord Shiva and Gods and Goddesses have been taken under the patronage by the Archaeological Department.

 

Veerabhadra region was famous Shaivatirth till North Gupta period.

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Earlier Virbhadra region was not like it is today.  Today there is Seema Dental College, many ashrams, Tehri is the settlement of the displaced.  It was the famous Shaivatirtha in the Gupta period and the recognition remained till 800 AD i.e. the later Gupta period.  When the Chinese traveler Hieun Tsang (Yuwan-chuan) was visiting Hieun Tsang Mayapuri (Mo-yu-lo), at that time there was also a metropolis with a monastery temple of the followers of Buddhism and Hinduism.

Shiva pacified Virbhadra's wrath here

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Legend has it that angry Sati sacrificed his life in the Yagna Kund on behalf of King Daksha not being invited to Lord Shiva in the Virat Yagya organized at Kankhal (Haridwar).  When Lord Shiva came to know about this, he became enraged and broke his case and gave birth to a Gan called Veerabhadra.Virabhadra destroyed the yajna of King Daksha.  Then Lord Shiva pacified the wrath of Virbhadra on the banks of the Ganges in Rishikesh and established him in a lingam form here.  Later, this Linga became famous as Virabhadra Mahadev.  In one part (60 percent) of this linga is Shiva and in the other part (40 percent) Virabhadra.

Rambha meets Ganga near Virbhadra

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The Rambha River flowing in the Tirthanagari is mentioned in Kedarkhand of 'Skanda Purana'.  The river originates from Rambha Kund (Sanjay Lake) near Kale's slope and joins the Ganga near the Virbhadra Mahadev Temple at Virpur Khurd, covering a distance of four to five km.  There was an ancient fort at the confluence of the Rambha and the Ganges river.  The Veerabhadreshwar Temple is built on top of its remains.  The temple is run by the Niranjani Arena.