Mahabharata Circuit
Mahabharata is one of two leading epics of South Asia. Its pervasive influence from ancient to present day Nepal and India has been traced by history, religious practices and cultures, tangible and intangible heritages, and the belief system of both the countries. The epic of Mahabharata is an orally transmitted (shruti) story compiled in written form over epochs of its continuous oral transmission.
The dating of the actual epic and the stories included in it have not been unanimously confirmed. The Eurocentric rational or objective way of discourse has accepted the calculation of the date of Mahabharata to be around the ninth-tenth century BCE. Relevant archaeologists and historiographers have also floated that the original stories of Mahabharata probably fall between the ninth and early eighth century BCE. However, the final version of the text has been dated as of the fourth century AD or from the time of the early Gupta period. It is also believed that the actual Kurukshetra War took place around the beginning of the ninth century BCE (ref. BB Lal: Mahabharata Archaeology).
The first recitation of the popular story known as Krishnacharita (biography of Lord Krishna, one of the principal characters of Mahabharata) has been a basis of tentative dating of the Mahabharata. There is a pervasive belief that this story was recited for the first time by Rishi Vaishampayana, one of the principal disciples of Rishi Vyasa, to King Janamjeya, the great-grandson of the Pandava Prince Arjuna, at Taksashila. From the description above, about a hundred-year gap can be calculated between the battle of Kurukshetra and the date of the recitation. The continental traditional line of dating of the Mahabharata and other epics and spiritual texts is completely different; and the subjective belief system seems to have played an important role in it. Some scholars believe this epic story is at least 4,000 years old from today.
Be it through the belief system or the historical, literary and archaeological evidences, Nepal’s religion and culture cannot be separated from that of India. The issue of the description of the story of Mahabharata has even deeper and pervasive influence in the region. Whether we observe Mahabharata through the tradition of the stories relating to Yaksha, Nepa, Kirata, Kinnara or the Kimpurusha, Abhira, Asura, Varbarika and Naga races, or we go through the belief system and historical evidences relating to gods, demigods or ashuras including Lord Krishna, Pashupatinatha, Kedaranatha or Rishikesha, Akashabhairabha, Indra, Living Kumari, Bhimasena/ Bhindya, Kamaru-naaga, Pandava brothers, Vanashura, Ekalavya, Yalamvara, Jitedasti, Ghatotkacha, Narkashura and Bhagadatta, we find proof of direct connection of Mahabharata with Nepal. Similarly, via the belief system linked to the spiritual importance of the Himalayan mountains, high-peaks and deep gorges, sacred valleys, streams, rivers, ponds and lakes, natural rocks, cliffs, caves and caverns, we find many places believed to be sites where the Pandava brothers had visited, walked through or sojourned for the purposes of pilgrimage or sometimes, for hiding. Such places have not only been recognised, named or venerated in memory of the Pandavas, but they have also been recognised and venerated as Hindu and Buddhist pilgrimage centres of high cultural value.
Ancient Cultural Geography
Since the Mahabharata epic predates to the foundation of Nepal as a separate cultural, physical or political entity in the continent, all activities and places described in the main text of Mahabharata cannot be identified separately from the cultural geography of Jumbudwipa. The bordered territories of modern Nepal and India also used to be a part of this. However, keeping in mind that in order to understand the history and belief system of the region through the narrow view of the Eurocentric notion of ‘modern nation and nationalism’, we are bound to enlist each and every aspect of our past through the eyes of separate independent nations. This Eurocentric schooling, in reality, requires a concept of defining the descriptions of the great epics such as Mahabharata and Ramayana via looking through the modern border between Nepal and India. Unlike today though, during those times, the cultural continental understanding of ancient civilisation was inseparable and bound with the strong rope of spiritual and cultural values. In addition, physical geography also shaped the nature of this inseparable cultural reality between Nepal and northern India.
The main war of Mahabharata was fought in a place called Kurukshetra, which lies in today’s northern India. However, the warriors and fighters came from various faraway places including today’s Terai and Himalayan regions of Nepal. Similarly, several important war related incidents took place either during or after Kurukshetra’s main war in numerous places of present-day Nepal. The case of Kirata King Yalambar and killing of Kichchak (Kichchakvada), Pandava’s secret stay in the palace of King Birata, are, a few important examples of such places and incidents described in the text of Mahabharata.
Theoretical Issues and Misunderstanding of the Borderless Cultural Linkages
The Mahabharata and Nepal connection can be clearly observed via two perspectives: subjective and objective. The subjective perspective is guided by the spiritual belief system: deeply and actively working with the sites relating to the stories of Mahabharata and the later development under this belief system. All spiritual pilgrimage sites relating to the Mahabharata fall under this category whether they are temples, caves, river confluences, mountains, lakes, ponds or natural water springs. Both tangible and intangible heritages linked with the Mahabharata or its characters must also be kept in this account. On the other hand, the objective perspective is guided by the evidential history associated with the archaeological remains and findings of the Mahabharata.
Broader Cultural Geography of the Hindukush Himalaya and the Mahabharata Range
In course of understanding the general scope of the Mahabharata circuit, the broader concept of the cultural geography of the Hindukush Himalaya and Mahabharata range is also equally important. Nepal shares a central and significant part of the Hindukush Himalaya, and holds the whole range of the Mahabharata. In addition, besides the above mentioned ranges, most of the southern Terai region is considered as an integral part of the Ancient Kingdom of Birata, the court where the Pandava brothers were believed to have lived incognito after gambling away their kingdom to their cousins known as Kaurava.
Mahabharata Circuit - Nepal
Historicity of the Mahabharata and its Connection with Nepal
Author: Dr. Ramesh Dhungel, PhD
Contribution by Dr. Pabitra Khadka
The Four Major Pilgrimage Centres of Nepal and their Linkages with the Mahabharata
All four dhaamas of Nepal namely Pashupatkshetra, Rurukshetra, Muktikshetra and Barahakshetra are either directly or indirectly linked with the stories of Mahabharata.
Other Locations include
• Damodarkunda and Damodar Himal
• Karnali Region and Yakghloka, Pandava Gupha Jumla
• Dolakha (sky cave)
• Vyas Gupha, Tanahun
• Pandava Gupha, Bajura
• Pandava Gupha, Dailekh
• Gupteshwor Gupha Parbat, Kushma
• Dolakha Bhimsena Temple, Dolakha
• Panauti Indreshwor and Bhimsena Temple, Panauti, Kavre
• Akash Bhairav Temple, Kathmandu
• Krishna Mandir, Patan
• Bhimsena Temple, Dattatraya, Bhaktapur
• Sabha Pokhari Sankhuwasava, Arun Valley
• Bhimsena and Bhairav Temple, Chainpur, Sankhuwasabha
• Gupha Pokhari, Chainpur, Sankhuwasabha
• Shiv Dhara, Sankhuwasabha
• Hrisikesh, Gulmi
• Kashi: Dantakali, Dharan/Sunsari
• Pindeswor Mahadev, Dharan/Sunsari
While there are many locations considered of importance to the Mahabharata, it is believed that there are 16 Mahajanapadas in current day Bharat, India is linked to the tale of Kurukshetra War, the main ones being: Hastinapura (Merut), Indraprastha (Delhi), Kurukshetra (Haryana), Mathura (Uttar Pradesh), Dwarika (Gujarat), Panchala comprising of Kampilya and Ahichhetra (Uttar Pradesh), Gandhar (Afghanistan), Kashi (Uttar Pradesh) and Magadh (Bihar). Likewise, among the famous places mentioned in the Ramayana, Ayodhya (Uttar Pradesh), Mithila (Bihar), Lanka (Sri Lanka), Ashok Vatika (Sri Lanka) are commonly talked about. This text focuses on the 13 popular locations that are based in Bharat India.
The timeframe of the Mahabharata narrative is Dvapaar Yug, which identifies with the life and times of Sri Vasudeva Krishna. As per research conducted by Indian scholars, of the astronomical data contained in the narration, it is believed that the Kurukshetra War, narrated in the text of Mahabharata, took place around 3067 BCE. The famous Aihole Inscription too gives almost similar date for this war described as ‘Dharma Yuddha’.
It is believed that some remains of Ahichhetra can be found near Ramnagar village in Aonla tehsil of Bareilly District, in Uttar Pradesh.
AIHOLE INSCRIPTION OF CHALUKYAN KING PULIKESIN II.; SAKA-SAMVAT 556.
Archaeological excavations have revealed many ancient places, and it is believed that some remains of the ancient city of North Panchala Rajdhani Ahichhetra can be found near Ramnagar village in Aonla tehsil of Bareilly District, and South Panchala Rajdhani ancient Kampilya (District Farukhabad) too, both in Uttar Pradesh. Ancient texts give vivid descriptions about Kampilya the place of birth and swayamvar of Maharani Draupadi.
