Religious Memorials of Madhya Pradesh

Memorials by Religion

by K. L. Kamat

Hindu Memorials

The Ganesh and Shivalingas in Pachmadi, Tamiya and Chandangaon pillar memorials indicate that they are of Hindu origin. Similarly, the refined memorials of Barsur belong to the same religion. It is of interest that three sati memorials that could be traced were found in the ruins of an old temple at Chotendonger, a village in very close proximity of Barsur. The first one is made up of two panels at the bottom, the wife worships the husband who holds a sword and shield. At the top of sati hand is flanked by sun and moon on the left and a Linga on the right. Traditional lemon in sati's hand is totally missing. In the second sati-stone, the lower panel has an unmounted horse indicating that the husband got killed in fight. In the upper panel the dead man with his sword and shield is shown. On his right a servant is standing and on the left the sati is standing with her right hand raised. In the third, sati is shown as a very short girl and the husband is in a fight posture.

Buddhist Memorials

Madhya Pradesh is known for Buddhists' memorials in the form of stupas. The simplest of its kind can be seen in Bhimabetaka (Dist.: Hosangabad) which is no more than a heap of boulders. The Sanchi stupas are among the best of its kind in the world. These stupas themselves are devoid of any decorations or illustrations but the entrance arches are most elaborately ornamented and illustrated.

Jain Memorials

Normally the Jains (see: Jainism) do not erect memorials for the dead. However, if one takes a religious vow and dies fasting for a cause, a "Nishidi" memorial is established to commemorate this sacrifice. Such fast s are usually undertaken in their holy centers and the Nishidi stones are erected in such places. Shravanbelgola in Karnataka is the Mecca of Jains and hence innumerable Nishidi-slabs could be noticed in that place (see: A Survey of Jain Monuments). Among them some might be from Madhya Pradesh. There are some lesser known Jain centers in Madhya Pradesh and there are good chances that some Nishidhi memorials could be found there. However, no attempt in this direction could be made.