The Misty Face Of Shiva

IT is an archaeological treasure trove lying in ruins deep in the tribal Chhotanagpur-Santhal Pargana belt in south Bihar bordering Madhya Pradesh. Priceless, centuries-old idols and the dilapidated structure of an ancient temple, with beautiful carvings, are fast decaying—and disappearing—thanks to antique smugglers and the callousness of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

Moss-covered idols of Surya, perched on the chariot with seven horses, Durga, Ardhnarishwar and Uma-Maheshwar, and more than 50 Shivalingas carved in grey and red sandstone, including one with a face carved on it, are scattered over an acre of forest land atop a hillock near Majgaon village in Gumla district, 180 km south-west of Ranchi. The red sandstone is not found in the area and according to popular theories the stone was specially brought from outside to construct the temple. There is no archaeological word on anything about the cache. The villagers of Majgaon, mainly tribals, have no idea when the temple was constructed or who built it. They say they have been going to the Tanginath temple since time immemorial. According to local myth, once Lord Shiva got angry and threw a tangi (axe), which sliced off the arm of another god far away in Jaspur (now in Madhya Pradesh), hence the name.

The most striking feature at the site is a 12-foot high rust-free iron trident. But the priceless, unprotected trident has been broken into pieces by unknown miscreants. What remains of it now are two big sword-like broken edges, measuring more than six feet each, and the thick central iron rod. "The site deserves to be protected just because of the trident. It's unique," said R.S. Bisht, director, ASI, New Delhi, when Outlook showed him the slides.

The villagers, meanwhile, have devised their own means to protect the temple and its artefacts—cite some legend and scare away potential thieves. According to one myth, if anyone tries to lay his hands on the trident he doesn't escape unscathed. Locals say some Lohars (blacksmiths) from neighbouring villages tried it once but could not carry the heavy iron pieces they had dismantled and died on the way. The story works as a deterrent. Ther e are no blacksmith families in Majgaon—and the broken trident is safe so far.

The pattern in which the Tanginath idols are placed is similar to that of Jageshwar, an ancient Shaivite seat in Almora district, Uttar Pradesh, where innumerable temples and Shivalingas, big and small, are scattered all over the place.

The government and the ASI were jolted out of their slumber in 1980 when a beautiful panchmukhi Shivalinga (a Shivalinga with five faces carved on it) was smuggled out of the country and an advertisement for its auction appeared in a London newspaper. Several other idols were also reported missing from the 12th-century Shaivite site. Only after that did the ASI whip into action and put the idols under lock and key and depute a chowkidar.

Interestingly, in the case of Tanginath, the ASI did not even know about the existence of the archaeological site till Vishwanath Thakur, block development officer (BDO) of Dumri in Gumla district, wrote to the authorities in Ranchi a few months ago. According to the Bihar and Orissa Research Society gazette, the ancient temple was first discovered by Chunnilal Rai. Thakur's letter prompted the visit of a junior archaeologist to the site. But that was that. The ASI didn't take any follow-up action to save the site.

It's the ASI's lack of interest—more than its lack of funds—that is curious. Bisht, of course, is all defensive: "We don't have the infrastructure. In a vast country like India it is not possible to protect every site. There are around 2,000 archaeological sites and for their protection we need at least 4,000 people whereas we have only 1,500 employees for that kind of work."

Archaeologists in Delhi say it is difficult to ascertain the exact antiquity of the idols, since no one has studied the site. But the pattern and style of the idols show that they are roughly seven to eight hundred years old. No inscriptions have been found that may refer to the period of its construction, even though it is still premature to say that no inscriptions exist there because a methodical excavation has not taken place.

The idol of an elephant overpowered by a tiger reflects the influence of the sculptures of Orissa. The statues of Ganga and Jamuna on the temple gate bear the distinct imprint of the Gupta period.

With the ASI taking its time to protect the trove, antique smugglers are making hay. Idols are hot items on the international market where antiques from "the Orient" are much sought after. Says Thakur: "It is not very difficult to reach the site and steal the invaluable treasure. We (the local administration) don't have any system to keep a round-the-clock vigil on the temple." Many idols have been stolen—nobody can put a finger on the number. Says a villager from Majgaon: "I remember there were many more idols when we were kids. Many of them have disappeared."

 With no government protection to the site—locals say there are many other such unprotected sites—the RSS and the Sangh parivar have become its self-styled owners. The RSS, through one of its organisations, Sri Hari Vanvasi Kalyan Kendra, began unauthorised excavation on the site and drew up a plan to construct a temple way back in 1987. Vasant Digamber Agase, an RSS activist from Nashik, came to Tanginath to construct the temple. But the Sangh parivar had to abandon the plan, after the excavation in-charge was sacked from the Vanvasi Kalyan Kendra on embezzlement charges.

The question of authority is crucial. Fact is, boxes of gold ornaments, ancient coins and diamonds were unearthed—nobody knows the exact number. And locals say a portion of the jewellery and coins was handed over to the local police at Dumri which filed an FIR under section 403 of the IPC on October 14, 1989. According to police records, the articles excavated from Tanginath include "five silver coins, one mukut of gold studded with 21 precious stones, two yellow earrings, two rings and two boxes complete with lids."

But for the last nine years, the artefacts are lying in the police maalkhana along with case properties related to other crimes like murder and rape. No one, including the ASI, has bothered to study its style and antiquity. If the ASI doesn't act fast, all that will remain of the priceless idols may be a mound of stones.