ASI Excavates Gupta Era Site in Madhya Pradesh to Find Relics

• 22 Mar 2024

Why in News?

Recently, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is excavating the site in Nachne village of Madhya Pradesh’s Panna district to find relics of one of the oldest temples of India and to study the condition of ancient temples.

Key Points

• The site is in close proximity to two ancient temples- a Gupta-Era Parvati Temple- and Chaumukhi Temple, built by the Kalachuri Dynasty.
• The excavation work is underway on Chaumukh Nath Temple premises, which houses an 8^th-century four-faced Shiva Linga.
  • As per ASI, the Shiva Linga has been carved out with remarkable vitality, especially the fierce open-mouthed face of the god on its south side.
  • As of now, ASI excavated two mounds and after brushing off centuries of earth, layers of bricks have been undiscovered.
• The objective of excavation in Nachna is to see the condition of ancient temples in India and how temples evolved and developed.
• The site has eight archaeological mounds and the excavation team has got permission to dig two mounds.

Chaumukhi Temple

• It is located in the Panna district of Madhya Pradesh.
• It is dated to the 9^th century Kalachuri Dynasty era.
• These temples illustrate a North Indian style of Hindu temple architecture.

Parvati Temple

• Parvati temple of Nachna is dated back to the Gupta period. It was built in the 5th century.
• This temple is Constructed on a terrace, 35 feet wide, this temple is composed of a small square sanctum, 15 feet side.

Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)

• ASI, under the Ministry of Culture, is the premier organization for the archaeological research and protection of the cultural heritage of the nation.
• It administers more than 3650 ancient monuments, archaeological sites and remains of national importance.
• Its activities include carrying out surveys of antiquarian remains, exploration and excavation of archaeological sites, conservation and maintenance of protected monuments etc.
• It was founded in 1861 by Alexander Cunningham- the first Director-General of ASI. Alexander Cunningham is also known as the “Father of Indian Archaeology”.
• It oversees all archaeological undertakings within the nation by the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, of 1958.