Ancient Temple, Mural Inscriptions Found In Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve In First Exploration Since 1938

The Archaelogical survey of India discovered remains of ancient temples at the Bandhavgarh Tiger reserve in Madhya Pradesh. The months long exploration was undertaken by the Jabalpur Circle of ASI.

The team covered a total area of nearly 170 sq km falling in the area of the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve during the exploration of the region which was undertaken for the first time since 1938.

Among the findings were:

• a sculpture of Varaha that was found apart from 26 ancient temples/relics of Kalachuri period (9th century CE to 11th Century CE);

• 26 caves (2nd Century CE to 5th century CE mostly Buddhist in nature);

• 2 monasteries;

• 2 stupas;

• 24 Brahmi inscriptions (2nd century CE to 5th century CE);

• 46 sculptures;

• 20 scattered remains; and, 1

• 9 water structures (c.2nd-15thCE) that have been recorded.

The time period of the findings, as per a release by the ASI, covered the reigns of the kings Shri Bhimsena, Maharaja Pothasiri, Maharaja Bhattadeva.