Vidisha
Vidisha
विदिशा | |
---|---|
City | |
Coordinates: 23°32′N 77°49′E / 23.53°N 77.82°E | |
Country | India |
State | Madhya Pradesh |
District | Vidisha |
Elevation | 424 m (1,391 ft) |
Population (2011) | |
• Total | 155,959 |
Languages | |
• Official | Hindi |
Vehicle registration | MP-40 |
Website | vidisha |
Vidisha (विदिशा, formerly known as Bhelsa and known as Besnagar in ancient times) is a city in central Madhya Pradesh, India. It is located 62.5 km northeast of the state capital, Bhopal. The name "Vidisha" is derived from the nearby river "Bais", mentioned in the Puranas.[1]
The district was created as Bhilsa District in 1904 by joining the tehsils of Vidisha (also known as Bhilsa) and Basoda (but not Basoda State) which were then part of Gwalior state. After India's independence in 1947, the former princely state of Gwalior became part of Madhya Bharat state, which was formed in 1948.[2]
Vidishā was the administrative headquarters of Bhelsa, or Bhilsa, during the Medieval period. It was renamed Vidisha in 1956.[3] Vidisha is also amongst the 112 Aspirational District in the Aspirational District Programme launched by NITI Aayog in 2018.[4]
Demographics
[needs update] As of the
History
Besnagar
The town is situated east of the
The ruins of Besnagar were inspected by Alexander Cunningham in 1874–1875.[6] Remains of a large defensive wall were found on the western side of the city.[6] Ancient Buddhist railings were also found just outside of the city, which had probably adorned a stupa.[6] Numerous coins were found, including nine coins of the Western Satraps.[6]
The
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Archaeological plan of the old city of Besnagar
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Archaeological layers at Besnagar: the Temple of Vāsudeva in the forefront, and the Heliodorus pillar in the back
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Besnagar pottery Period V
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Besnagar silver punch-marked coins.
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Besnagar Yakshini
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BesnagarKalpadruma
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Besnagar Buddhist railings
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Besnagar Buddhist railings
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Besnagar pillar capitals
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View of Heliodorus pillar
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Besnagar Ganga statue
Emergence as Bhelsa
Besnagar was known as Bhelsa during the medieval period.[
In 1293,
Jainism in Vidisha
Vidisha is considered to be Puranakshetras
Climate
Climate data for Vidisha (1981–2010, extremes 1970–2003) | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °C (°F) | 35.0 (95.0) |
36.2 (97.2) |
42.1 (107.8) |
46.9 (116.4) |
49.1 (120.4) |
49.0 (120.2) |
43.3 (109.9) |
38.6 (101.5) |
39.0 (102.2) |
40.8 (105.4) |
38.0 (100.4) |
35.0 (95.0) |
49.1 (120.4) |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 26.2 (79.2) |
29.5 (85.1) |
34.7 (94.5) |
40.2 (104.4) |
42.8 (109.0) |
38.9 (102.0) |
32.3 (90.1) |
30.3 (86.5) |
32.2 (90.0) |
34.0 (93.2) |
31.4 (88.5) |
27.9 (82.2) |
33.4 (92.1) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 8.3 (46.9) |
10.8 (51.4) |
15.3 (59.5) |
20.5 (68.9) |
26.1 (79.0) |
25.5 (77.9) |
23.4 (74.1) |
23.6 (74.5) |
21.5 (70.7) |
18.3 (64.9) |
13.0 (55.4) |
9.1 (48.4) |
17.9 (64.2) |
Record low °C (°F) | 0.0 (32.0) |
2.5 (36.5) |
5.8 (42.4) |
13.1 (55.6) |
18.5 (65.3) |
16.3 (61.3) |
13.0 (55.4) |
10.0 (50.0) |
10.1 (50.2) |
11.0 (51.8) |
4.9 (40.8) |
3.1 (37.6) |
0.0 (32.0) |
Average rainfall mm (inches) | 5.9 (0.23) |
12.2 (0.48) |
11.4 (0.45) |
3.8 (0.15) |
17.9 (0.70) |
116.7 (4.59) |
310.5 (12.22) |
332.0 (13.07) |
177.4 (6.98) |
48.3 (1.90) |
6.1 (0.24) |
5.4 (0.21) |
1,047.3 (41.23) |
Average rainy days | 0.6 | 1.1 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 1.1 | 6.7 | 12.5 | 13.4 | 7.5 | 2.4 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 47.2 |
Average relative humidity (%) (at 17:30 IST )
|
51 | 42 | 32 | 27 | 26 | 49 | 73 | 81 | 71 | 50 | 46 | 47 | 50 |
Source: India Meteorological Department[18][19] |
Historic places and monuments
Near the eastern edge of the old town are the remains of a large temple of the late Paramara period known as the Bijamaṇḍal. The building was probably started in the second half of the 11th century. That it was never finished is evidenced by the unfinished carved niches and architectural pieces found round the base of the temple plinth.[21] On top of the plinth is a small mosque made using pillars, one of which has an inscription dating probably from the time of king Naravarman (circa 1094–1134). It is a devotional inscription revering Carccikā (i.e. Cāmuṇḍā), of whom he was a devotee.[22] The miḥrāb suggests the mosque was constructed in the late 14th century. To one side of the Bijamaṇḍal is a store house of the Archaeological Survey of India containing many sculptures collected in the neighbourhood. A step-well of the 7th century is in the same campus and has, beside the entrance, two tall pillars with Kṛṣṇa scenes. These are the earliest Kṛṣṇa scenes in the art of central India. The dimensions of Bijamandal Temple at Vidisha are comparable to those of Konark in Orissa.
Lohangi Pir is a rock formation in Vidisha District that derives its name from Shaykh Jalal Chishti, a saint who was locally known as Lohangi Pir. This small domed building is a tomb, which has two Persian inscriptions on it. One of the inscriptions dates back to 1460 CE, while the other is from 1583 CE. The tank and a large bell-capital dating back to the 1st century BCE can be seen on the nearby hill. Near the tomb are the remains of a medieval temple that survived as a pillared crypt. These are dedicated to Goddess Annapurna. Lohangi is a large rock right in the heart of Vidisha, within walking distance of the railway station, is of religious and historical significance in the region.[23]
Udaygiri is less than 10 km from Vidisha town. It is a series of at least 20 caves, containing both Hindu and Jain sculptures from the Gupta Era, sometime between the 4th and 5th century CE. According to Jain texts, Tirthankara Sheetal Nath attained nirvana here. It is basically a small hill where intricate sculptures have been cut out of the rocks.
Hindola Torana - Hindola means a swing and Torana is an arched gate - is a magnificent artwork of the 9th century or medieval period, situated in Gyaraspur. It is a developed, ornamental and decorated arched gate made of sandstone. On both of its pillars, Lord Vishnu's ten incarnations are engraved. Near it, four carved and sculpted pillars and beams seem to be the ruins of Trimurthy temple set on one raised platform, as Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesha, Goddess Parvati and their servants are sculpted on these pillars and beams. The gate may be an entrance gate for a temple for Vishnu, Shiva or Thirumurthy.
Dashavtar Temple is situated on the north of the local lake, where ruins of a group of small Vaishnava shrines can be found. These small Vaishnava shrines are popularly known as Sadhavatara Temple. The temple comprises a large open pillared hall, in which the pillars are dedicated to the ten incarnations of Vishnu. These pillars date back from 8th to 10th century CE. Towards the western bank of the lake lie the ruins of sati pillars that date back to 9th or 10th century CE. One of these pillars is carved with four sculptured faces that depict a seated group of Hara-Gauri.
Girdhari Temple, which is known for its sculptures and fine carvings, is a popular attraction in Sironj. The ancient shrines of Jatashankar and Mahamaya are located close to this temple. Jatashankar Temple is situated 3 km towards the south-west of Sironj in the forest area. On the other hand, Mahamaya Temple is situated 5 km south-west of Sironj.
Udayeshwara Temple, located in Udaipur village of the Basoda Tehsil, is one of the most prominent Hindu shrines in the region. The inscriptions found in this temple suggest that the Udaipur Town was founded by the Parmara King Udayaditya during the 11th century CE. Other inscriptions found at the temple suggest that Parmara King Udayaditya dedicated it to Lord Shiva.
Vidisha District Museum
Vidisha Museum or Vidisha District Museum is the main museum of the city of Vidisha.[26][27][28]
The museum has many sculptures, terracottas and coins, especially from the 9th to the 10th century CE, as well as
Notable people
- Kailash Satyarthi - Born as Kailash Sharma, on 11 January 1954, in the Vidisha district.
Transport
Education
Vidisha is well known for its educational institutions. Many of the primary and secondary schools are affiliated with the M.P. Board. Some schools choose to be affiliated with Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). There is a Grant-in-Aid Autonomous College called Samrat Ashok Technological Institute.
References
- ^ CORPUS INSCRIPTIONS INDICARUM VOL II PART II. GOVERNMENT EPIGRAPHIST FOR INDIA, OOTACAMUND. 1963. p. 9.
- ^ ISBN 9789384385637.
- ^ "Vidisha". Encyclopaedia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. Retrieved 20 April 2020.
- ^ "List of 112 Aspirational Districts" (PDF). niti.gov.in.
- ^ "Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)". Census Commission of India. Archived from the original on 16 June 2004. Retrieved 1 November 2008.
- ^ a b c d e Report Of Tours In Bundelkhannd And Malwa Vol X 1874-75. 1880. pp. 36–46.
- ^ Paul, Pran Gopal (December 1989). "Brahmanical Imagery in the Kuṣāṇa Art of Mathurā: Tradition and Innovations". East and West. 39: 111–143 – via JSTOR.
- ^ Art & architecture of Daśārṇa (Malwa) Region, Rahman Ali, Sharada Pub. House, 2008, p. 14
- ^ (Malwa Through the Ages, from the Earliest Times to 1305 A.D, K.C. Jain, p. 485
- ^ Gleanings of Indian archaeology, history, and culture: R.N. Mehta commemoration volume, Volume 1, 2000, p. 263
- ^ Madhya Pradesh: District Gazetteers, Volume 42, V. S. Krishnan, Government Central Press p.30
- ^ [Studies in the Religious Life of Ancient and Medieval India, Dineschandra Sircar, Motilal Banarsidass Publ., 1971, p. 117]
- ^ Dainik Bhaskar & 108 feet temple.
- ^ ASI & Bajramath Temple.
- ^ ASI & Maladevi Temple.
- ^ ASI & Badoh Jain Temple.
- ^ ASI & Gadarmal Temple.
- ^ "Station: Vidisha Climatological Table 1981–2010" (PDF). Climatological Normals 1981–2010. India Meteorological Department. January 2015. pp. 791–792. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 February 2020. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
- ^ "Extremes of Temperature & Rainfall for Indian Stations (Up to 2012)" (PDF). India Meteorological Department. December 2016. p. M134. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 February 2020. Retrieved 29 December 2020.
- ^ The Past Before Us, Romila Thapar p.361
- ^ O. P. Mishra, "Bijamaṇḍal and Carccikā: Tutelary Goddess of the Paramāra King Naravarman," Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society 22, 1 (2012), pp. 107–113.
- ^ H. V. Trivedi, Inscriptions of the Paramāras, Chandellas, Kachchhapaghātas and Two Minor Dynasties, Corpus Inscriptionum Indicarum, volume 7 in 2 parts (New Delhi, 1978-91) 2: 120-22.
- ^ "Home | the Travelling Slacker". 17 September 2020.
- ^ "Maladevi Temple | Maladevi Temple Photos | Vidisha Tourist Places". Archived from the original on 16 January 2013.
- ^ "Bajramath Temple, Vidisha | History, Timings, Reviews, Photos | HolidayIQ.com". www.holidayiq.com. Archived from the original on 9 October 2014.
- ^ "Famous Museums in Madhya Pradesh | MP Museums Guide". www.tourmyindia.com.
- ^ ISBN 9781349070145.
- ISBN 9789380262055.
- ^ "Atal Bihari Vajpayee Government Medical College, Vidisha". gmcvidisha.org. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
- ^ Pioneer, The. "CM: Medical College to start in Vidisha from August". The Pioneer. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
- "Vidisha, the country's first 108 feet elevated temple with all Tirthankars". Dainik Bhaskar. 17 April 2019. Retrieved 28 July 2019.
- "Maladevi Temple". Archaeological Survey of India.
- "Bajramath Temple". Archaeological Survey of India.
- "Gadarmal Temple". Archaeological Survey of India.
- "Badoh Jain Temple". Archaeological Survey of India.
- "Vidisha". Archaeological Survey of India.
- Jain, Kailash Chand (1972), Malwa Through The Ages, Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN 9788120808249