Study on Bundelkhand of Planning Commission: Introduction - Cultural Heritage
Study on Bundelkhand of Planning Commission: Introduction - Cultural Heritage
Cultural Heritage
MP, a land of ancient culture and traditional, is famous for its archaeological monuments and places of pilgrimage for all the religions, Hindu, Muslims, Jains and Buddhists. While Ujjain city, on the bank of river Kshipra is famous for Kumbha Mela, the famous Sanchi stupa near Vidisha, is a place of pilgrimage for Buddhists from all over the world. Bhopal has one of the largest mosques in Asia, while Jain temples are scattered all over MP. Bundelkhand and Baghelkhand have a rich cultural background. Chandelas and Bundelas rulers of Bundelkhand were great builders and created numerous forts, palaces and temples. The region is full of temples, particularly that of Lord Shiva. Chandelas created a large number of ponds now known as Chandeli-ponds in this region for irrigation and drinking water supply.
A famous place of tourist and religious attraction, Orchha, is situated in the district of Tikamgarh. It was the capital of Bundelas before it got shifted to Tikamgarh due to vulnerable strategic position of Orchha in later days. In the background of river Betwa, the fort and numerous temples of Orchha provide a picturesque view. The buildings of Orchha and Datia are magnificent and tell the tales of the creativity of Bundela rulers. Tikamgarh is also religiously famous for its temples of Lord Rama in the Orchha, and the one named Kundeshwar Mahadeo Mandir, near Tikamgarh township.
Datia is known for its buildings and palaces built by Bundelas, particularly that of Virsinghdeo. Some of them are unique. Datia also has a famous ‘Saktipeeth’ which attracts a lot of people for religious worship. It also has a famous Jain Temple. Datia has always strived for preserving the original Bundela culture, its language and traditions. At present, there are numerous theatrical and literacy groups in Datia, which are trying to preserve and propagate its cultural heritage.
Panna, too, has a rich cultural base. The famous Bundela chief, Chhatrashal, had made Panna his capital. District Chhatarpur is named after him. Panna, is known as ‘town of temples’. There is a mythical story telling that Saint Prabhunath told to his disciple, Chhatrashal that on one particular night whatever area will be covered by him sitting on the back of his horse, will find the mine of diamond beneath the earth. So are the diamond mines in Panna. As a reverence to Saint Prabhunath, Chhtrashal constructed numerous temples, mostly attributed to Lord Shiva. It is said that there are as many as eleven-hundred ancient temples in the district.
Khajuraho, the famous tourist attraction in India, is situated in the district of Chhatarpur. Khajuraho has a range of temples with erotic love-making stonecarved scenes on the outer walls. They were created by the Chandela kings who ruled Bundelkhand, before the rise of Bundela in the region.
Satna has a ancient temple of Goddess Bhawani at a place called Maihar. During Durgapuja, thousands of pilgrims from all over the country gather there for worshipping the Goddess.
Caste/Religion(%ge)
