Labyrinths are mazes that one can stroll throughout, following a path. You begin from outdoors, stroll all the best way inside, after which hint a path again to the place you started. Often, after getting stepped in, there is just one path you can observe to come back out.
Discover these Labyrinths in India
Labyrinths are as previous as human settlements. We now have discovered them carved in all types of locations – on altars, on riverbeds, in nature. They had been most likely the earliest observatories to watch the movement of celestial our bodies within the sky. They might have been used to hope and meditate. Even at present, they’re used for strolling meditation in lots of components of the world.
A serpentine path takes you inside and brings you out with a stream, alternatively going nearer and farther from the middle.
Labyrinths are fairly world. Historical labyrinths have been discovered around the globe. India is the oldest civilization, how can we not have a few of it? I’ve discovered labyrinths throughout my travels within the nation. Include me for a digital tour of historic labyrinths in India:
Pansaimol Labyrinth in Goa
On the rocky mattress of river Sharavati in South Goa is an excellent archaeological web site. There are historic petroglyphs with carvings of varied animals and depictions of human beginning. Nevertheless, essentially the most fascinating carving is that of a labyrinth. It’s clearly etched within the crimson laterite stone. On the entrance of it, are a carved pair of ft, as if a devotee would stand and pray right here.
I’ve not seen however I used to be advised that some native communities nonetheless go to and worship this labyrinth. Folks sit within the center and meditate. Thoughts you, that is seen solely earlier than the monsoon season and stays hidden within the waters a lot of the yr.
This can be the oldest surviving labyrinth in India and perhaps the world.
Learn our detailed put up on the Rock Artwork of Goa.
Do learn: Finest Locations to go to in South Goa throughout your holidays
Bhadrakali or DeviKoop at Kurukshetra
Let me take you to the Mahabharat warfare that occurred in Kurukshetra. Bear in mind Abhimanyu, the younger son of Arjuna was killed in a Chakravyuha – a formation that he knew tips on how to enter however not tips on how to get out of. So, he entered it, fought bravely, and was killed. It’s believed that this Chakravyuha is nothing however a labyrinth that has just one option to get in and get out.
That is carved on the historic Bhadrakali temple right here, also referred to as Devikoop. I nonetheless bear in mind the brilliant yellow coloration of this labyrinth which is a reminiscence of an occasion from a distant previous.
The labyrinth is new or most likely renewed periodically however reminiscence is historic.
Gokarna
Gokarna is an historic Tirtha situated on the west coast of India. It’s related to many sages, saints, and Puranic tales.
Right here there are lots of cliffs overlooking the Arabian Sea. Close to the Jatayu Tirtha cliff, there’s a large labyrinth. At first look it appears fairly new, made by putting small stones within the form of a maze. Nobody might actually say when it got here up. It’s surrounded by caves hidden contained in the crimson laterite rock.
It’s sufficiently big to stroll in and thru it. I walked by way of it as soon as after which a number of extra instances. With the sound of sea waves hitting the rocky floor, it had an impression of transferring inwards. The main focus shifted from the surface world to my interior peaceable self.
Do learn: Locations to go to in Gokarna – For devotees and leisure vacationers
Bangalore
Arun Bharadwaj in my podcast Detours spoke in regards to the historic temples of Bangalore. He mentions a stone circle or a Chakravyuha fabricated from stones close to Bannerghatta Nationwide Park that’s a minimum of 2000 years previous. That is nearly inside town limits now and might be situated as you enter Suvarnmukhi hills after the Bannerghatta forest vary.
As per Arun, folks think about it a wish-fulfilling circle. They stroll round asking for his or her want they usually certainly get fulfilled.
I’m but to go to it however hopefully quickly.
Vijayapura or Bijapur
On the ceiling of the Ibramin Roza in Vijayapura, you’ll be able to see a fancy labyrinth made within the form of a Swastika. You possibly can rely as much as 24 swastikas that make this advanced labyrinth.
Since that is on the ceiling you can not stroll it. However I hope it may be recreated on the ground someplace. It will be attention-grabbing to expertise strolling within the form of intertwined Swastikas.
This one is a minimum of 17th CE however I might not be shocked if it was a lot older.
Then, there are lots of new constructions which are constructing labyrinths across the nation. A few of them are recurrently utilized by folks to stroll.
Halebidu Temple, Karnataka
This labyrinth is within the type of an outline of Abhimanyu’s battle within the Mahabharata warfare. Right here you see the labyrinth as a warfare formation.
If you recognize of any extra historic labyrinths in India, do let me know.
Or, the place would you wish to stroll a giant labyrinth?
