sentinelgroup@gmail.com
Assam’s Khajuraho: Madan Kamdev
Madan Kamdev is an ancient archaeological site located in Baihata Chariali of Kamrup district in Assam, around 35 kilometres from Guwahati. The history of the region has been documented in detail since the 13th century by the Ahoms, who ruled most of Assam from 1228 CE until 1826 CE. But the history of the prior centuries is mostly obscure, and we only know bits and pieces of it through secondary references like the accounts of the invaders. The temple complex is widely believed to have been built by the Pala Dynasty between the 10th and 12th centuries. From 900 CE to 1110 CE, the Palas ruled the Kamarupa Kingdom until the Gaurs arrived.
This temple is dedicated to the Hindu deity Shiva and his consort Parvati. It is a site of immense historical and architectural significance. Madan Kamdev is known for its intricate carvings and sculptures. At Madan Kamdev, there are three figures of Parsadevata found on three sides of the ‘adhisthana,’ on the exterior of the temple wall of the ‘garbhagriha’ of the main temple, though they are in a mutilated condition. All three figures of the goddesses are seated on a corpse.
There is a sculpture of a six-headed Bhairav, a four-armed Shiva, and a terrible-looking demon. There is a stone idol of Apsara, the divine dancer, which resembles the structures found in the Ajanta and Ellora caves. Saraswati and various other statues of animals have been identified as being similar to those found there. The Surya idols have an influence of South Indian architecture because the Surya idols of South India have bare feet and two half-blooming lotuses. Madan Kamdev has similar idols. Many people call Madan Kamdev the 'Khajuraho of Assam' because the erotic art of Madan Kamdev is similar to that of the Khajuraho temple in Madhya Pradesh. Madan Kamdev had a shelter house too, as there is still a brick structure alongside the stone temple in existence. Archaeologists found 18 sets of ruins of stone temples. New things are being discovered in fresh excavations.
Despite its historical significance, Madan Kamdev has suffered from neglect and environmental degradation for years. The remote location of the site makes it difficult for conservation efforts to gain traction. However, in recent years, there has been a renewed interest in preserving this archaeological treasure. Conservation efforts have been initiated to protect and restore the temples, allowing future generations to appreciate their beauty.
Today, Madan Kamdev stands as a testament to Assam's glorious past and the architectural brilliance of the Pala dynasty. It offers a serene and off-the-beaten-path experience for history enthusiasts and travellers alike. The tranquility of the surrounding nature only enhances the charm of this hidden gem. The Madan Kamdev temple's architecture, with its blend of sensuous and religious artistry, reflects the cultural and artistic sensibilities of the time and provides valuable insights into the history of the region.
Dipankar Deka
Baihata Chariali
A big loss for humanity
The conflict between Israel and Palestine has turned into a big loss for humanity. It seems that, in between the "game of politics," we lost humanity somewhere. If conflict is not stopped and it keeps on going, then there will be only land, not landowners, for that is what they are all fighting for. Therefore, it should be stopped as quickly as possible.
Jahangir Ali
Guwahati
Confused
On the evening of October 10, I, being a cricket fan, watched the World Cup ODI match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, where the former was the winner. The whole stadium was packed to capacity. Surprisingly, though, the crowd was very partisan, and they were hooting for Pakistan. Because of my ignorance about the venue of the tie, I initially thought that the ODI was played somewhere in Pakistan, as the whole crowd was hooting for Pakistan. Later, I came to know that the ODI was played in Hyderabad, an Indian princely state once ruled by the Nizams, who had then refused to merge with India in the aftermath of independence. It was only because of our ironman Sardar Patel’s initiative that Hyderabad became a part of India. The roles played by the Razakarsis are still fresh in our minds. Now, Nizam is represented by one Assauddin Owasis, who even threatened and challenged the government to withdraw the police force for 15 minutes to prove his authority in Hyderabad.
I wholeheartedly congratulate the Hyderabadi crowd for being so sporting. Can we expect the same from the crowd from Hyderabad, Karachi, Lahore, or Rawalpindi in Pakistan, especially towards India, even if they play against any neutral country?
Joel Goyari,
Tangla.
Nawaz’s return to Pakistan
The return of the self-exiled former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif, to Pakistan is a political move. Of course, the sentence against him in the confirmed corruption cases in the Panama Papers leak case is still intact, but the way he is making a comeback without fear, it is suspected that this sentence too may be waived off soon. In fact, the army has given him immunity and wants to use him as a counter to jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The army does not like Imran Khan.
Nawaz Ashraf
Guwahati