All cultures and societies are related in the particular forms and means of tangible and intangible expressions, which constitute their heritage. The diversity of cultures and heritage in our world is an irreplaceable source of spiritual and intellectual richness for all humankind." From NARA Document on Authenticity 1994
Terai Madhesh is steeped in cultural Heritages. There are numerous Natural, Cultural, archaeological, historical, religious heritages which are incomparable and unbeaten and exemplary. There are several artifacts, cultures, various rites and rituals, religions living styles and standards which are well known to the whole world. These invaluable cultural properties of Terai- Madesh are not possible to be discussed in a seminar paper like this one.It is a matter of great regret that no scientific and systematic studies have been done about them up till now. No survey of these cultural heritages has been conducted neither nationally nor internationally. .
According to UNESCO there are two types of culture. One is tangible and other is intangible. Tarai-Madesh is rich in both cultures but the aim of this paper is to highlight only tangible cultural properties. According to archaeologist Taranand Mishra there are two types of cultural heritage
i. Ancient Archaeological sites
ii. Archaeological cultural objects.
Landscape Archaeology in Terai-Madesh: The Archaeologists both- native and foreign have not taken pains to explore and excavate in the landscape Archaeology of Terai-Madesh. Nothing has been done in this virgin field. There are many parks and orchards in Terai-Madesh. To name few famous gardens of Janakpur, Lumbini and Simraungarh and Raja Fulbari of Salhesh and Tilaurakot. We have a very little knowledge about the rich tradition of green garden in Terai-Madesh archaeology. In this context I would like to quote here.
"Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, was a vana or a small forest or a batika or a garden . Archaeological excavation conducted at Lumbini and its periphery since 1897 have not discovered any traces of this ancient forest or the garden. Buddhist literatures have described Lumbini garden as an earthy paradise. The archaeologists, both-native and foreign have been taking interest only in finding structural remains and artifacts; only the material culture. They have neither thought nor tried to find out the remains of the ancient Lumbini garden. Nepali archaeologists lack knowledge about the landscape archaeology.
Similarly at Tilaurakot and other archaeological sites of Lumbini and Kapilvastu., the archaeologists have never tried studying the landscape."
Saphlya Amatya : Archaeological and cultural Heritages of Kathmandu valley. P.9
Likewise gardens situated in Janakpur and Raja garden of Siraha have been neglected by both native and foreign archaeologists . There is a mention of two mythological trees in Janakpur's garden in the Buddha jatakas about which the king of Thailand Adulyadej has mentioned in his book The Story of MahaJanak. He sent his scholar daughter to find out the two trees but she could not find out it. There is a direct need to explore and excavate the garden archaeology of Tarai Madesh. We have heard a lot about Tirhutiya Gachhi located in the heart of proper Janakpur but no archaeologist has tried to explore and excavate about it. There is another important garden named Manimandap which is still surrounded by Green garden but it is shrouded in oblivion. The great poet of the epic Ramayana Tulasidas has mentioned about garden of Janakpur, by seeing its beauty sage Vishwamitra along with Rama and Lakshman were fascinated immensely and Sita used to pluck flowers to worship her favourite goddess Girija. I would like to quote:
"As they went they saw the beautiful royal garden , where reigned eternal spring enchanted by its loveliness. It was planted with charming trees of various kinds and over hang with beautiful creepers of varied hue".
(R.C Prasad: Sri Ram Charit Manas:P.155)
There are many historical, cultural and archaeological spots related to king Salhesh which are situated in Siraha Dist. Among them there is a famous garden of Salhesh. This is also called Raja Phoolbari which is located some four kms west of Lahan main market. A famous fair is held annually on the auspicious occasion of New year Bikram sambat(B.S). This fair is held for one day only. Hundreds of thousands devotees come to worship their favourite god Salhesh. This famous historical garden has been encroached by the local people but neither the local administration nor the Lahan municipality gives proper attention to it. It is spread in nine bighas of land which is still in existence. There are many botanical and medicinal plants and trees in the garden . A flower in the form of garland is blossomed for only one day on the branches of one tree in middle of the garden. The other day it is faded away. No archaeologist, no historian, no cultural expert has found out its secrets up till now. One Nepali scholar Suniva Shrestha has written:
" Some four kilometers west of Lahan, Siraha lies Mother Nature's marvel a garden that bears the legend of king Salhesh, chronicled to have ruled this region during the lattermid 13th century. In this ancient densely forested garden spread over an area of some six hectares, there grows a unique Haram tree that bears flowers only once a year that too on the Nepalese New year Day of Baisakh. The buds start appearing on the last day of the previous year and as the hours pass by, the buds blossom into flowers and by New year dawn takes full shape of a garland. As the day advances the flowers wither and fall. They will not again bloom until next year's Day.(TRN.Feb.11.2011)
There is also a temple of Salhesh which means the king of mountain. There is an idol of Salhesh sitting on elephant, In its left and right side there are two attractive idols ofDauna and Kusuma. But there is a strong mythology in the minds of local people which says that the tree named Harem is the main attraction of that garden. This is the unparallel and incomparable beauty of that garden. No body has seen that flower except one particular day. The local people consider it as a supernatural power. There is also another mythology according to which Salhesh's beloved named Kusama Malini (gardener's wife ) appeared to embrace her lover for only one particular day which is the full moon day of Baisakh. This can be developed as a beautiful spot for tourist attraction not only for Nepal and India but for whole world. Neither native nor foreign archaeologist has been able to venture to explore and excavate this historical garden up till now. Neither the government nor the Tourism Board nor the local administration such as Lahan Municipality has been interested to make it tourist destination. The nation is celebrating Tourism Year 2011 this year but there is no programme and plan to develop it as tourist spot.
Kichakbadh is another historical and cultural spot which has been lost in oblivion since so many years but recently the Archaeological Dept. has tried to excavate this historical place . A team of experts has found archaeologically important remains at Kichakbadh a historical site in Jhapa dist. during recent excavation. It discovered the remains of a brick wall of building and drainage system, the ruins of building brick walled drainage and a wide room in historical and archaeologically important site. Vishnupaduka and Satasidham are also very important cultural spots but the Dept. of Archaeology has not paid proper attention towards it . Pindeshwor has been famous from the period of the Pal dynasty. Devotees worship Pindeshwor Mahadev on the special occasion of Shivaratri. There are many idols which are being stolen but nobody pays proper attention.
Barah Chhetra is very important religious spot which had been protected by the Oinar dynasty.According to PRATAPADITYA PAL a famous Indian scholar
‘’Outside the valley of the river Bagmati, the most famous site of Vaisnava pilgrimage in the kingdom of NEPAL, is Varachatra at the confluence of the rivers Kosi and Koka,, the spot still draws many pilgrims from India.The god par excellence of this place , known as Kokamukhasavamin, was already renowned in the Gupta period as he is alluded to in the Damodarpur inscription of the time of Budha-Gupta.The word Koka actually means a wolf but is given as a name of Vishnu by the ancient lexicographers.The name of the river Koka and that of the god are here obviously inter-related.’’
Barah Chhetra is situated at the height of 3000 ft and eight miles away from Chatara project. It covers an area of about 5 to 6 kilometers . It is one of the four most important pilgrims places of the Hindu of the world. The literal meaning of Barah Chhetra is the area of wild- boar God. The two storey temple houses the image of Barah, the bear incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The existence of this image is of 12th century, according to some historians. A grand holy fair is held at Barah Chhetra every year in the month of October. One month long fair is held from the full moon day in the second half of January to the next full moon day in the first half Feb. This is the general belief of the most of the Hindus that the forefathers who receive Pinda (balls of milk pudding with sesame sprinkled over) will be liberated from the birth and death cycles. Offerings of Pinda satisfy the hunger of the forefathers and help them to achieve heavenly abode.
Legends:-According to the Brahma Purana a Hindu scripture the dead parents and relatives will receive the same spiritual advantage, if the relatives offer Pindas at Barah Chhetra. Besides this advantage, childless couples offer Pindas at Barah Chhetra. Childless couples get potency if they have holy dip in the Koshi River. It is situated in the Sunsari Dist, which is very famous for the pilgrims of Nepal and India. The confluence of Saptakoshi( Arun, Varun, Sunkoshi, Tama koshi, Dudh Koshi, Tamor and Bhote Koshi and Koka is one of the four Dhams of Hindu. Here are ten incarnations of Bhagwan they are Matsya, Kurma, Barah, Narisingh, Vaman, Parshuram, Krishna, Budha and Kalki. Barah is one of them . Here is 22 feet long temple of Barah which has been constructed in the Shikhar style. Ther are eight temples near by it. This is very important cultural and historical spot because there is an idol of Barah from the period of Gupta. There are also five gods Laxmi, Indra, Nageshwor Guru, Barah, Surya barah, Koka barah and Badri Mukteshor. It is also said that king Himalaya himself planted plum tree so that dead persons can get fruits to eat. This is called Bairban, the forest of Plum trees. There is also a lake. There a big and black idol of Durga is also very famous. There are many temples which are made in the period of Gupta. The idol of Narasingh is situated in Inaruwa which was made in the Gupta period.
In the head quarter of Morang Dist. Biratnagar, which is itself a famous historical place there is a big temple of goddess Durga which is worth visiting and worshipping. Near by Bhediyari is itself an archaeological place. The Dept. of Archaeology has partially excavated it but in fact it has been forgotten totally now. There are many remains of several temples which are lost in oblivion.
There are two famous temples of goddesses Rajdevi and Chhinmasta situated in the Saptari dist. They are widely revered and worshipped by hundreds of thousands of devotees every year especially on the auspicious occasion of Durga Pooja. A renowned cultural expert David Kinsely has written about Chhinmasta in the following lines " Chhinmasta is probably the most dramatic stunning representation in the Hindu Pantheon of the truth that life, sex and death are part of an interdependent unified system". Chhinmasta is also called Sakhda Bhagwati(goddess) with faith and respect. King Shakti Singh whose another name was Bakra Singh, established this goddess. It is situated ten Kms south of Rajbiraj, the headquarters of Saptari. It is said that Muslim ruler Gayasudin chhopped of this goddess's head. There is a long tradition of sacrifice of animals on this auspicious occasion of Durga Pooja but it is a matter of great secret that no fly is seen sitting on the sacrificed blood.
The temple of Chhinmasta is located 10 kms south of the headquarter of Saptari dist,Rajbiraj. Some scholars are of opinion that this temple was constructed in the twelfth century. Its historic evidence is this that karnat kings fled away due to the attack of Mughal emperors and entered the Nepalese territory. They entered the Kathmandu valley carrying their favourite goddess Tulaja Bhavani and they also ruled some other parts of Nepal Terai. They also ruled Simraon Garh which is considered the capital of the Karnat dynasty. It is written in the book entitled ‘Bihar Through the Ages:’
"According to the Nepalese chronicles it is said that Hari Simhadeva reigned in Nepal for some years, Hari Simhadeva the king of Simraun conquered Nepal and founded the Ayodhya dynasty." (R.R. Diwakar: P 390)
Likewise they also ruled in the eastern part of Saptari Dist. Hari Simhadeva’s wife Lakhima Devi took shelter in a village named Raja Banauli of Saptari Dist. due to the attack of the Mughal emperors. Vijay kant Mishra writes in his BOOK Cultural Heritage of Mithila
" His queen Lakhima fled with the royal family to take shelter in village Raja Banauli in Saptari pargna".
King Shukra Singh ruled in the Saptari District. He made his son Hari Simha Dev King of this dist. in his old age. He constructed this temple. According to hearsay the name of this temple has been kept after his name. He ruled from 1275 to 1307. This temple was constructed during his reign. Muslim rulers cut the head of this goddess so it is called Chhinmasta.
In the beginning according to the local people this temple was like a cave. They got the head of this goddess while cleaning this area according to some people. The priests of this temple repaired it in 1990 B.S. because it was damaged due to the disastrous earthquake after collecting donations.
The late king Birendra Bir B. Shah Dev also donated 5 lakhs of rupees for its repair in 2044 B.S. The late minister of Bihar(India) Lalit Narayan Mishra also donated a huge amount of money for its repair works. He was true devotee of this Goddess. Once he was travelling by air and his plane was about to crash, he remembered this goddess and had a miraculous escape. Pilgrims get mental peace and spiritual solace after having the darshan of this goddess.
Devotees from far and near from India and Nepal throng this place for pilgrimage on the auspicious occasion of Dasain. They pay homage and offer vermilion, glass bangles, flowers, fruits and sweets to please the goddess. He goats are also sacrificed in large number because all goddess are supposed to be blood-thirsty. Flies do not sit on the blood of sacrificed goats and birds. This is unique tradition of the goddess. Even there is no spot on the clothes seen after sacrificing the animals. This is nothing else except miracle of the goddess. This benevolent goddess fulfills all the desires and wishes of the devotees.
She is considered a source of energy and at the same time of inspiration for the devotees. Her power is miraculous, mystic and mysterious according to the Tantrik tradition because Shakta cult people believe in Tantrisim. This way Goddess Chhinamasta is worshipped and she is believed to be pleased very soon.
In Khoksar and Dhangarhi villages of Saptari Dist. During the excavation by the DOA NBP. And Black slipped wares were found. In Mahespur V.D.C. Greyware,prehistorical Neolithic Burial site was found.Besides, nearbyRupnagar there is a royal palace on the hillock.So many idols and remains of temples of Ganesh,Durga and VISHNU.In Inarwa, Saptari Dist. An idol of NARSINGH was found which is believed to be of the 5th or 6thcentury and it is in Gupta Art style.
EKAGARH – It is situated in Saptari Dist in the foothills of CHURE HILL range.It is the remains of a big temple.It is in the ward of Kanakpatti of village Khoksar.It is nearby the river named Khadoriya.According to some archaeologists there was a temple of Chandrashova goddess.There one can find the remains of any unknown place.This is a living archaeological site but neglected by the Dept. of archaeology.It has not excavated any archaeological sites of Madhesh except LUMBINI and TILAURAKOT.It is a shame on the part of the Dept of Archaeology.In B.S. 2045 one team was sent by it which suggested to excavate two mounds there but it was never excavated so far (Survey Report 2045B.S. P.86).In 2054 B.S. ANOTHER TEAM was also sent to excavate it and it found an artistic wall in which Mithila art was depicted.Some type of artistic wall engraved with Mithila art was found in Simraungarh too.If it is excavated then it will prove 9th century Terracota architectural art.One team led by Dr. Jagdish Chandra Regmi of T.U. observed that brickmakeshift.It is the remains of Sen period.Yet another important archaeological site is Khapte Danda is 3-6 METERS NORTH OF LAHAN,where remains of P,G. WARE,NBP, Black slipped ware found.It is the most important archaeological site of MITHILA.The archaeological Dept.has mapped this site but nothing has been done uptill now.Local people are selling the archaeological wares by digging at with spade which is very unfortunate.3-4 miles west of the river KAMALA there is a village named Itahari where there is a big SHIVA temple which is believed to be of the Gupta period.
9
Lumbini:- Lumbini is the lovely land of Nepal where Buddha, the Light of Asia, was born. He is also called the Enlightened one. Formerly he was Sidhartha Gautam, the Shakya prince, the eventual Shakyamuni, and the ultimate Buddha. He was born twenty five hundred years ago. Nepal has been considered the sacred place for Buddhism since his time.
Lumbini is small town in the Southern Terai plains of Nepal. Now it has become world renowned place because of the birthplace of Buddha. He was born to a royal family. His father's name was Suddodhan and mother's name was Maya Devi. He was born with silver spoon in his mouth. He had all the luxuries and comforts to enjoy in the royal family. One day he ventured beyond the royal palace walls and encountered sorrow, pain and death. He saw a beggar, a crippled, a corpse and a holy man. He was deeply moved by these encounters. He determined to find the ultimate cause of suffering and how to get salvation. So he escaped from the royal palace leaving his beautiful queen Yashodhara and son Rahul putting off royal customs and cutting his curly hair. He became a wandering ascetic.
He fasted, meditated and spent his time in a rigorous attempt to find out a solution to end suffering. At last he succeeded in his endeavor. On a full moon night in the North Indian town of Bodhgaya, he got enlightenment under a Bodhi tree. He had direct communion with Almightily God. He had direct realization of Nirvana or Moksha(salvation) at the age of 84. He exhausted his human body for the welfare of all human beings.
Since then he started preaching a lesson of compassion, love, Nirvana and friendship. Lumbini has been since then a holy place for Buddhists all over the world.
Indian Emperor Ashoka erected a pillar in 250 B.C. which bears an inscription about the birth of the Buddha. The original temple of Mayadevi was very historically important but now it is not in existence. It housed a stone image of Mayadevi giving birth to lord Buddha. There is a pond named Puskarni near by the temple in which she bathed after giving birth to Buddha, the Apostle of peace. She also gave purification bath to her son in that pond. Lumbini has become a place of pilgrimage for all Buddhists of the world. It is now being developed under the Master plan of the Lumbini Development Trust, a non governmental organization. It is also a world Heritage Site. Lumbini has religious as well as historical importance no doubt but it is also very well known place from the view point of culture. It offers cultural insights into the local life of southern Nepal especially Tharu's cultural life which is very rich in many aspects. It is also quintessential Buddhist heritage worth visiting site in the world. The sacred Garden is the main center of attraction of Lumbini which is spread over 8sq.kms. Besides this the Maya Devi temple is famous place of pilgrimage. It has become internationally a place of pilgrimage because many countries such as Japan, China, India, Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, France and Germany are constructing stupas, monastries, meditation centers in the International Monastery Zone.
Now Lumbini has come in limelight. The foreign ministry is in the dark about the deal between Asia Pacific Exchange and Cooperation Foundation (APECF) and the United Nations Industrial development organization. The two controversial organization inked memorandum of understanding for a three billion dollar project in Beijing on June15. This is a direct threat to national sovereignty. It is matter of great regret that a rouge organization has put Lord Buddha on auction.
Surendra Raj Devkota has written an article entitled Comrade monk of Lumbini Inc,' Is Lumbini a politico-economic object of an individual"-I would like to quote him here
" Let Lumbini be the real Lumbini, not a theme park! Money is the sole mantra for politicians but it won't solve the problems of derailment of values in the society. Economics, profiteering and social values are not mutually exclusive. Competing to mint money in the name of Buddha is wrong".
The Himalayan Times Daily. August 17,2011
Lumbini has been receiving international attention since 1970 when the then secretary General of U.N.O Uthant visited it .UNDP developed Master Plan in the 1970s and UNESCO listed it as a world Heritage Site in 1997.
Lumbini is a great treasurehouse of Budhist antiquities,art and architecture.At the time of his Great Demise Lord Budha himself had directed his followers to visit Lumbini as the first and foremost pilgrimage point among the four Great centers of holiness ordained in Budhist faith.Every Budhist devout of the universe aspires to visit Lumbini once in his life time.Its beauty,peace and tranquility is comparable to the Royal Garden of the heaven as mentioned in various Budhist texts.The Mauran Emperor Ashoka recorded his visit to Lumbini in magnificient stone pillar contains fiveline inscriptions engraved in Brahmi letters
Lumbini was lost in oblivion since 1200A.D.It was rediscovered by the joint efforts of General Khadag Samsher J.B.Rana andDr.A.FUHRER,P.C. that is through my excavations were not rewarded with any inscriptions or important sculptures , the architectural finds were of very interesting class.Even the Chinese pilgrims did not know that a magnificent temple was erected on the sacred site of the Budha’s birth.The group statue of Mahadevi ,though defaced,is unique and interesting being the earliest style of Budhist sculpture.The discovery of the statue of Budha,both in stone and terra-cotta, show that the art of sculpture was known here long before the Gupta period.’
A veteran journalist Kanakmani Dikshit has rightly expressed his concern about some of the the archaelogical sites in the following lines:
LUMBINI, the birthplace of Sidhartha Gautam has become the preeminent site in the Terai, but Buddhism is rather remote from the present day plains culture.Only lately has Janakpur,the birthplace of Sita and the seat of her father,Janak been recognised as a national heritage site, and the national cultural elite has allowed the great archaeological site of SIMRAUNGARH in the central Tarai to be desecrated without voicing an iota of concern.
Kanakmani Dikshit: Peace Politics of Nepal: P.130
Bakhar Banauli- It was the citadel of king Piraditya where great poet of Mithila Vidyapati spent twelve years. He also wrote his Likhnavali here. It became a famous cultural spot since then. Siraha Dist. is steeped in cultural heritage where there are many cultural spots.
Pakariyagarh- This culturally rich place lies 10 kms. north in the footsteps of a hill. It was royal palace of king Kuleshwor. There is a temple in the fort in which an idol of king Kuleshwor on sitting on the horse is seen. There is also an idol of king Salhesh. They are worshipped by local people.
Janakpur:- Today janakpur is the headquarter of Dhanusha district falls in Janakpur zone has historical and religious importance. It is the capital of the ancient Mithila, the kingdom which on many of its frontiers is believed to have been guarded by different cities.
On the northern frontier by Kshireshwor, on the southern by Jaleshwor, on the north eastern by Mithileshwor and on the south western by Kupeshwor.
Janakpur is the same sacred place where Janaki, the constant consort of Lord Ram and the dutiful daughter of Janak was born from the womb of the mother earth. She is also considered as the most celebrated and illustrated heroine of the Hindu epic Ramayan .
Ram the king of Ayodhya was married to Sita at Janakpur. This marriage ceremony was celebrated on the auspicious occasion of Bibah Panchami(fifth day of the bright fortnight in the month of Agrahan(Nov.Dec.). Thus Ram and Sita are the two central characters of the great Hindu epic Ramayan. Their marriage took place there. The story goes like this. Ram broke a heavenly bow that originally belonged to Lord Shiva. He broke the bow into three pieces. One piece went to heaven . Another entered into the depth of the underworld. The third piece went to present day Dhanusha Dham, about 40 Kilometers from Janakpur. Today also piligrims can see huge rocks shaped like a bow under a tree.
There are a big number of magnifcient temples and large and deep ponds with green and clean water which reflect the glorious and golden past of Janakpur. These have earned it the honour of being the most sacred spot for millions and millions of Hindu piligrims from all over the world every year especially on the occasions such as Bibah Panchami and Ram Navami and Janaki Navami. Therefore the charms of Janakpur, however, do not lie in its temple and ponds, it is also famous for numerous fairs and festivals that take place here on plenty of such occasions .
Town of Temples:- Janakpur has been rightly called a town of temples. There are so many ancient temples and artistic statues and shrines which remind us the glorious and religious chapters written about Mithila in the history of Nepal. There are two temples(Janaki and Rama) which are popular and famous in the whole Hindu world.But the famous temple of Ram janaki is in a sorry state at present because of the heavy flow of pilgrims to the area from both Nepal and neighbouring country India.The lack of timely repairs and the fact that locals seen little involved in the preservation of temple premises have rendered the area to decrepit ruins.It has been constructed in the rare Mughal style.The area has two separate temples, one dedicated to Lord Rama and another to Sita(Janaki), his constant consort. While Ram MANDIR has vestiges dating back to the 11th and 12th century, the Janaki temple was dated later built in 1911 by Vrikh Vanu Kumari, the Queen of Tikamgarh, constructed in bright white marble,Janaki temple is said to have cost Rs. 0.9 million(nine lakhs) to build.That’s why the temple’s name Naulakha originated.
The temple is a blend of classical and neo-classical design with elements of fortification and u unique environmental setting.It has rare architectural elements.It requires overall renovation budget of around 11million where as Ministry of Culture has released a budget of Rs. 0.8 million for the Ram-Janaki temple.Guthi SANSTHAN and Janakpur conservation committee,a local body,have pledged to constitute Rs.0.2 million each which is not sufficient.
“Of the 52 monuments and 72 ponds on the premises of the temple, many are in a sorry state.The lack of timely care has also encouraged the trend of encroachment on the premises(TKP Dec.6.2011).
According to DOA” Keeping in mind the dilapidated condition of Ram-Janaki temple and the threat to the invaluable cultural aspect associated with Janakpurdham, the DOA has decided to renovate the main temple as well as the surrounding structure this year.
Asuccessful execution of the DOA’s plan be helpful in reviving the temple’s glory’The monuments and ponds on the temple’s premies could attain a new life.Local people themselves should be aware of the religious,cultural and archaeological monuments is hard to be revived.
SIMRAUNGARH: It is the most important archaeological, cultural and historical site which has been neglected by the government as well as by other agencies to this date. Even the politicians of Terai-Madhesh do not pay attention in the protection and promotion of the cultural heritage like this.They have nothing to do with these cultural properties because they do not understand their value.
B.B. HODGSON visited Simaraungarh long time back. He has written about it in the following lines. I quote
“”But the ruins of Janakpur and SIMROUN still exit in the Nepalese low-lands: and lie who would form a just idea of what the Hindus of MITHILA ACHIEVED prior to the advent of the MOSLEMS.In the British territories, to the last but still astonishing vestiges of the cities of kings JANAK and NANYUPA, in those of Nepal.Of the NEPALESE TERAI it might justly be said until very lately.”
“A GOODLY PLACE IT WAS IN DAYS OF YORE
BUT SOMETHING AILS IT NOW, THE PLACE IS CURSED.
B.H. HODSON:LITERATURE AND CULTURE OF THE BUDDHISTS P.176. .
Besides these cultural heritages there are many more archaeological, historical and cultural heritages such as Murtiya in Sarlahi,Khaptedada and Sambhunath of Siraha ,Devghat of chitwan,Balmikiashram,Triveni and Durvasagadh and GADHIMAI and MAISTHAN,GAHAWA MAI, KALANKI MAI,GOTIHAWA,NIGLAHAWA,RAMGRAM etc.
Excavations in TILAURAKOT nearTaulihava of KAPILVASTU Dist. found of a fortified town believed to have been built around the 16th. century B.C.(Sharma 1973:66)
Babu Krishna Rijal in pne of his articles entitled ‘Beginning of the conservation in Nepal has written
‘’Kapilvastu, which is not only the house of Gautam Buddha in 600B.C. was also the natal town of KRAKUCHHANDA and KANAKMUNI BUDDHA contain stupas built in unknown periods to symbolize and memorize the great sages.The MAURYAN Emperor Ashoka has recorded his visit and conservation works of the stupa in his pillar inscription at Niglihawa.The existing stupa atGotihawa is also seen repaired for four times, do not know whether by Ashoka or by somebody else before Ashoka.Kapilvastu which is not only a great treasure but also the earliest incubative center of Buddhism.Kshewati and Shobhati the natal towns of Krakuchanda and Kanakmuni are identified in Kapilvastu.Here, Ashoka visited by himself and made the stupa double in size and erected his monolithic pillars in 300B.C.
Some Nepali scholars have accepted that cultural heritage of Tarai Madhesh has been undermined.Kanakmani Dikshit is one of them. I want to quote him here;
‘’The hilly nature of Nepali nationalism almost completely excluded Madhesis,who felt that their own cultural heritage was compromised.’’
kanakmani Dikshit;Madhes Arise Peace Politics of Nepal. p130
I would like to draw the attention of all towards the saying of one foreign scholar. MILAN KUNDERA in his book The Book of Laughter and Forgetting said,
“The first step in liquidating a people..is to erase its history.Destroy its books,its culture.its history.Then have somebody write new books, manufacture a new culture, invent a new history.Before long the nation will begin to forget what it is and what it was.”(1985;159)
Role of Donor Agencies: Donor agencies too , for decades neglected the Terai where poverty is as entrenched as it is in many parts of the hills but affects many more people per square mile. In the Kathmandu imagination which influenced the international and donor agencies perception, the Terai communities were as appendages of the Indian plains.”
Kanakmani Dikshit: Peace Politics Of Nepal Page:131
So it is crystal clear that Donor agencies and N.G.O / INGO are not in favor of protecting and promoting the cultural heritage/cultural legacy of Terai-Madhesh.
IN the end I would like to draw the attention of the MINISTRY OF CULTURE,DEPT. OF ARCHAEOLOGY, THE NEPAL ACADEMY, UNESCO section of the MINISTRY OF EDUCATION for the protection , renovation and promotion of the cultural heritages of Tarai-Madhesh.
References:
1. Ram Dayal Rakesh: Cultural Heritage of Nepal- Terai: Nirala Publication, New Delhi 1994
2. Ram Dayal Rakesh: Janakpur: The Sacred Jewel of Nepal: Safari Nepal 2005
3. Ranjana Bajracharya; Budhisattva Avalokitesvara; And His Symbolic MANTRA;2003
4. T.R. Vaidya, and B.R. Bajracharya. Nepal. People and Culture Anmol Publications PVT. Limited. New Delhi 1996.
5. Saphlya Amatya : Archaeological and cultural Heritages of Kathmandu valley 2010
6. Kanakmani Dikshit: Peace Politics Of Nepal , Himal Book, Kathmandu , 2011
7. B.H. Hodgson:Literature and Religion of the BUDDHISTS:SERAMPORE,1841.
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