INTRODUCTION:

Dakshin Kosala holds an impartant and significant place in ancient Indian States. As for as, its origin is concern. It has its deep source regarding its information in Mahakavya and Puranas. The Ramayana reveals that after the reign of lord Rama, His kingdom was divided into two parts. It was mainly South Kosala and North Kosala . Lava become the king of North kosala and his capital was Shravasti. South kosala was given to kush. It also has been assumed on the basis to of puranas that kush had made set up for a city known as kushawati across the mount Vindhya. Vayu Purana also signifies this fact and strongly supports.

Mahabharata tells that due to the terror of Jarasandh. People of eastern portion of kosala immigrated to the south. According to porzitar. People of kosala took shelter in chattisgarh and started living there. Not only this much but also they strongly believe that lord Rama spent his maximum period of vanvasa in Chattisgarh. Thus, Mahakavya and puranas provides much information regarding south kosala.

Mahakavya, Puranas and many inscriptions gives information about the condition of south kosala. These references gives information regarding the nearest states of south kosala and enlightes its conditions. It has Tripuri and mekal in its north, kantaror dense forest of Bastar in south, kalinga, tosali (dhauli, odra, utkal, in east and venatat or venganga resides in its west.

As far as physical expansion of south kosala is concern,it covers today’s chattisgarhs Raipur, Bilaspur, Rajnandgaon, Raigarh and Sarguja. Besides of this Orissas Sambhalpur Balangir and Kalahandi.

South kosala his rich natural Infrastructure. In this area, a few important and constantly flowing rivers like Mahanadi, Shivnath Hasdo and Jonk flows. Due to these all, this area is full of greenery. Not only this much due to all these specialties from the pre. Historic period this has been knowing as one of favorite place of people. Physical remains of ancient periods satisfied this facts. In the historical period so many dynasty ruled here. Most important and well known of them are Rajarshitulya, Parvatdawarak, Nalvansh, sharabhpuriya, Panduvansh, Somvansh and kulchuri.

These all the dynasty, these ruled over here time to time had done a lot for the multifarious development of this area.

Rulers of this area a were very kind for the development of arts and culture, they were kind guardian of arts. In this sequence Panduvanshi, Somvanshi and Kalchuris are most significant. During the reign of those dynasty development of Architecture and sculpture were at its achme and for its art and culture this area become well known in all over the India.

Giving the example of their Kings who ruled in this area, giving the example of their kindness they supported and let the different religion sustained they supported, not only shaiva, Vaishnav, Saakta but also non vedic religion like, Jain and Buddha. They also made built various temple and stupas of these religion to show their respect towards these religion.

Buddha Dharma has its beginning in 6 century B.C. In a very short span of time it spread its wings in not only India but also in most of the country of the world. In beginning, the rejection towards idol worship is being seen in Buddha Dharm. But after the death(Nirvana) of Budha, during the reign of kalashok Second Buddha Sangeeti had been organized. In which, an immense category of this group agreed to make a few charge in rigid rules of this religion and moderation was being done to a few extend. This moderate group was known as mahasanghik. But, at the end, due to remain unsuccessful in their goal or mission they separated themselves from this religion.

In this way, Budha Dharma was being divided into two parts. They are ASTHAVIR and mahsanghik.

And further, it was responsible for the development of mahasanghik to mahayan. And this accepted to Budha beyond all this public affair and chaos and gave acceptance for Idol worship. With this the path for symbol worship was being strongly accepted. According to mahagranth” Sadharampundreek”, it is being made clear that if one offers flowers to lord Budha with sincere faith and love he certainly achieve bliss and pleasure in their life. In the beginning , in Gandhar style idol pertaining to Buddha and Bodhisatva was being made. After that, stup and idol related to this religion was being made in various parts of India. According to mahaparinirvana sutra, it is very clear that before his parinirvana when Buddha was being enquired by his pupil Anand about his last precession, Buddha just like chakrawarti kings, gave consent for making stup above his remains Budha Architecture.

BUDDHA, ARCHITECTURE

Budha Dharma was being emmencely advertised in south kosala also. According to chinise traveller Hiuen-tsang maurya emperor Ashoka made to establish stupa and various monuments in south kosalas capital sirpur. In the reign of satwahans south kosala was also included in their kingship. According to, Hiuen-tsang on a mount adjacent to the capital of south kosala. satwahan emperor made to establish five story sangharam for bauddh acharya Nagarjuna this above mention statement given by Hiuen-tsang was also being supported by gunji script of Bilaspur state.

From this view point, the period of Panduvanshiya is very significant During the reign of the most renowned king of this dynasty Mahashivgupta Balarjun the fame of his capital sirpur had been spread all over the India. This place was the most significant spot of Budha Dharma visiting of Buddhist traveler was quite frequent here. Out of traveler details of Hiuen-Tsang it is very clear that the king of this place was Kshatriya and he was dedicated to or had firm faith in Buddha dharma. During that time, there was hundred Sangharam in his kingdom, where near about ten thousand Mahayani Monks were abiding. In the most important Buddha vihar of Sirpur. Padampani vihar, Anand Prabhu kuti vihar and Swastik vihar are very important.

Besides of this after the excavation of Jan 2009 a Maurya period stupa was found. Exterior of this stupa was made of big white stone piece and interior was made of small stone pieces and soil. Complete stup is situated at a plate form. Total height of this stup is 4.30 meter and periphery of the basis is 8.80 meter is assumed. Entire floor of this stupa was made of bricks. Not only this much but also from Bhgongapal remains of Buddha vihar establish in 8^th – 9^th century A.D. is being found. In the guidance of Mr. Chandrul from Archaeology and Museum department (M.P.) an excavation was made happened in the year 1990 To 1991. After the information regarding this vihar was found. This vihar is situated at the bank of Lusara river. At this Bricks made vihar the effect of Gupta style is quite visible. In its Garbh grih in eastern facing side in Bhoomi sparshmudra a Budha Idel is situated. Recently a stup was being found from Amalideeh. People of this area know to this mount by the name of Dhandongri. They had this firm believe that emmence was being hidden there. After examination it become very much clear that it is a Heenyan stup. Around this bricks made stupa there are so many sample stup which are made of soil. Regarding this there is a firm believe that people keep on coming here for the fulfillment of desired with and after achievement of desired wish they would had made of establish a sample stup.

Budha Sculpture :

Rulers of Dakshin kosala had keen dedication and fasination towards arts. Idols made during the period of Panduvanshi, Somvanshi and Kulchuri are quite significant and unique in them. Sirpur the capital of South Koslaa was the prominant centre of art during that time. Renouned and well known artist of the country were abiding there. Out of surface exploration and excavation of Sirpur hundured many Buddha Idol was being found. In most of them belongs to Somvanshi period.

A few most important Idols found from Sirpur are Idol of Acchobhya Buddha, , Asthank Buddha, Bodhitsatva Padampani. Jambhal Ratnasam. Bhav budha. Varechan Budha, Manju shree, Padmapadi avlokiteshwar, Bodhisatva vajrapani, Avlokiteshwar and Tara encluding amoghsiddhi Buddha are very important.

From the view point of Budha Sculpture Malhar is also very important from here also so many Budha and Bodhisatva’s idols are being found. These are – Amitabh Buddha, A cchobhya Buddha, Manju shree including Tara with Budha, Avlokiteshwar and Budha with Tara, Mundit Seesh Budha, Kunchit kesh Buddha sheesh, Vairochan Buddha, Tara devi, Vajra Sharda etc.

Not only this much but also from the Rajim of South Kosala a few Buddha and Bodhisatva idols is being found. From here Acchobhayua Buddha, Padampani Avlokiteshwar and idol pertaining to Buddha religion are also being found.

Bhongapal is also well known in this regard from where a Bauddha Idol is being found and some other out of those an Acchobhya Idol is quite significant.

CONCLUSION:

Thus it can be said without fear of contradiction that south kosala has very rich and prominent historical importants it is highly developed in sens of art culture it also has been place of hoary anticuty . It was passage of Aryan migration to the south and cradle where highly interesting experiment and art and culture have taken place from view point of Buddhist art and sculpture also it has been very significant it is but natural that for its rich culture r remains scholors have been attract to his heritage.

REFERENCES:

1. Watters Thomas, OT Yuan Chwangs Travels in India, Vol-ll Munshiram Manoharlal New Delhi 1996 P.P.200-201.

2. Srivastava P.N., Bilaspur District Gazetteer Bhopal,1978 P.P.512-524.

3. Dikshit M.G. Sirpur and Rajim Temples, Bombay P.P.14-32, Sharma A.K. 2002 Excavation at Mansar and Sirpur puritan, Eds, C Margabandhu, A.K. Sharma and R.S. Bisht, Agam Kala Prakashan New Delhi.1960 P.P.805-809

4. Pathak N.K. Bhongapal ka Nalyugin Buddha Chaityagriha Avam Mandir the Bounteous Tree, Treasures and Indian art and Culture Sharda Publishing House New Delhi 1997 Page 569

5. Tripathi K.K. and Mishra O.P., Dakshin kosala Kshetra May Buddh Dharm, Puratan 9,1994 page-132-137

6. Bajpayee K.D. and Pandey S.K., Malhar 1975-77 department of A.I.H.C. and Arch. University of Sagar

7. Mitra. S.K. Recent archaeological investigation at Malhar, Puratattva number 40-2010,page-214-221

8. Khamari Subash, Buddhist vestiges from Malhar, Chhattisgarh, kosala no.5-2012 page 103-109

Received on 15.09.2013 Modified on 22.10.2013

Int. J. Ad. Social Sciences 1(2): Oct. –Dec. 2013; Page 66-69