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, upon getting stepped in, there is just one path you could observe to return out.
Discover these Labyrinths in India
Labyrinths are as previous as human settlements. We have now discovered them carved in every kind of locations – on altars, on riverbeds, in nature. They have 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 immediately, 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 circulate, alternatively going nearer and farther from the middle.
Labyrinths are fairly international. Historic labyrinths have been discovered world wide. 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 historical labyrinths in India:
Pansaimol Labyrinth in Goa
On the rocky mattress of river Sharavati in South Goa is an excellent archaeological website. There are historical petroglyphs with carvings of varied animals and depictions of human start. Nevertheless, essentially the most fascinating carving is that of a labyrinth. It’s clearly etched within the purple 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 instructed 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 possibly the world.
Learn our detailed put up on the Rock Artwork of Goa.
Do learn: Greatest 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 how one can enter however not how one can 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 strategy to get in and get out.
That is carved on the historical Bhadrakali temple right here, also referred to as Devikoop. I nonetheless keep in mind the brilliant yellow shade 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 historical.
Gokarna
Gokarna is an historical Tirtha positioned 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 may actually say when it got here up. It’s surrounded by caves hidden contained in the purple laterite rock.
It’s sufficiently big to stroll in and thru it. I walked by it as soon as after which a couple of extra occasions. With the sound of sea waves hitting the rocky floor, it had an influence of transferring inwards. The main focus shifted from the skin world to my internal peaceable self.
Do learn: Locations to go to in Gokarna – For devotees and leisure vacationers
Bangalore
Arun Bharadwaj in my podcast Detours spoke concerning the historical temples of Bangalore. He mentions a stone circle or a Chakravyuha fabricated from stones close to Bannerghatta Nationwide Park that’s not less than 2000 years previous. That is virtually inside town limits now and might be positioned as you enter Suvarnmukhi hills after the Bannerghatta forest vary.
As per Arun, individuals think about it a wish-fulfilling circle. They stroll round asking for his or her want and so they 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 possibly can see a fancy labyrinth made within the form of a Swastika. You may 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 could be attention-grabbing to expertise strolling within the form of intertwined Swastikas.
This one is not less than 17th CE however I might not be stunned if it was a lot older.
Then, there are lots of new constructions which might be constructing labyrinths across the nation. A few of them are frequently utilized by individuals 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 already know of any extra historical labyrinths in India, do let me know.
Or, the place would you wish to stroll an enormous labyrinth?