Revered as the starting point of the mythical Saraswati river, the Adi Badri Temple in the foothills of the Sivalik Hills in Yamunanagar in Haryana is all set to get the tag of “national heritage”.
After nine years of extensive excavation at the site, which has yielded important findings — including a monastery, Buddha statue, pottery, pieces of carved slabs and several artefacts, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has proposed to bring it under its wing. The ASI feels the site has to be protected as much remains to be unearthed from the spot.
“The findings are interesting. We are seeking central protection of the area sprawled over 13.5 acres, which we plan to excavate further. The ASI tag would prevent the site from any destruction or possible encroachment and ensure its overall protection and conservation,” VC Sharma, Superintending Archaeologist (Chandigarh Circle) told The Pioneer.
A picturesque site framed by hillocks and a major tourist attraction, Adi Badri Temple site is adorned with the late medieval temples of Adi Badri-Narayana, Sri Kedarnath and Mantra Devi.
It houses a few ancient sculpture and architectural monuments belonging to the Sakta, Saiva and Vaisanava traditions.
The recent archaeological excavations have added the Buddhist dimension as well with the findings of a Sharirika Stupa (3rd-6th century) and highly developed Buddhist Monastery (10th-12th century), Sharma explained about the importance of the site.
An exposed brick structure found at the site could be dated to about 300 AD. Other finds of this antiquity include numerous pottery items such as bowl lids, miniature pots, jars, cooking vessels, pitchers, storage jars and stamped wares.
Apart from this, it is also being explored if this was one of the major areas of inhabitation on the banks of the Saraswati river that once flourished, and then disappeared without a trace. The site has mythical twist as well with the legends claiming that Sage Ved Vyasa has said to have composed the Bhagavad Purana epic at the spot.
Sharma said that a cultural hub has already been set up at the site for its monitoring.
BR Mani, Additional Director General, ASI added that a preliminary notification has already been drafted and forwarded to the Union Culture Ministry for its approval. Once given green signal, objection from local will be invited for final notification.
Presently ASI has over 3,500 monuments under its fold across the country. Mani said that though no timeframe can be put on when the proposal is likely to be made formally to the Government as the process takes time.
In the last three years, the Culture Ministry has approved four monuments to be protected as national importance. These are Jamwa and Ramgarh Fort in Jaipur, Ancient site Shringwaerpur in Uttar Pradesh, Moti Jheel in West Bengal and Maharaja Ranjit Singh Fort in Phillour in Punjab.