
Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh – In a landmark discovery for Indian archaeology and cultural history, a team led by archaeologist Shri Rudra Vikrama Srivastava has uncovered the oldest known praśasti (eulogistic inscription) dedicated to Lord Rama at the historic Garhwa Fort in Prayagraj. Dated to 1096 CE (Vikram Samvat 1152), this 11th-century inscription, commissioned by Chandela king Kirtivarman through his minister Vatsaraja, offers unprecedented insights into the evolution of Rama worship and the antiquity of Rama-Navami festivities in India.
Key Highlights of the Discovery:
Oldest Rama Praśasti: Predating the renowned Vishnu-Hari inscription of the 12th century, this discovery redefines the timeline of Rama-centric devotion in India.
Earliest Evidence of Rama-Navami: The inscription references rituals linked to Rama-Navami, marking the earliest archaeological record of ceremonies associated with the festival.
Temple Construction: It documents the establishment of a matha (temple/monastery) at an ancient āśrama (hermitage), believed to be linked to Rama’s exile period.
Historical Context: The inscription was installed on Caitra Śukla Ekādaśī (the 11th day of the waxing moon in Chaitra month), coinciding with the conclusion of a grand Rāghava-yātrā (procession honoring Rama), a tradition still observed today.
Inscription Details:
The 16-line Sanskrit inscription, engraved in 11th-century Nagari script, is remarkably well-preserved. It was discovered during an exploration at Garhwa Fort, a site of significant archaeological interest. While minor wear is noted on the left margins, the majority of the text remains legible, offering a vivid account of religious and cultural practices under the Chandela dynasty.
Collaborative Scholarly Effort: Following its discovery, the inscription was transcribed and preliminarily interpreted by Shri Rudra Vikrama Srivastava. The text was later meticulously reconstructed and analyzed by Shri Kushagra Aniket (economist and Sanskrit scholar) and Dr. Shankar Rajaram (Presidential Awardee and Sanskrit scholar), whose expertise revealed its groundbreaking significance.
Shri Rudra Srivastava was accompanied in this exploration by Dr Rajesh Kannaujia and Pritam Kumar (BHU). The inscription is expected to be published in the near future.
