HINDU TEMPLES Shesh Teerth Underneath the Lakshman Teela, lie secured, fossilized ruins of ‘Shesh Teerth’ within archeological and cultural labyrinth of Lucknow. Lakshmanawati was known as the western gateway of the fortress of the ancient kingdom of Kaushal, one of the important centers of the past. On this vast elevated terrain was situated - the famous ‘Sheshnaag’ temple which was known as “Shesh Teerth”, Because of the presence of ‘Aadi Ganges’-Gomti river, Lucknow was known as the “Chhoti Kaashi”. Till 1000 B.C, the pilgrims used to visit this great shrine to the west of the river, where the Kaundilya Rishi’s ashram was situated, now known as “Kudiya Ghat”. In 1957, during the mutiny, it was shelled and damaged where the then hindu king Bhawani Mehra had his fort and palace. On the south western corner of the Kaundilya Ashram was situated the – Kandilineshwar Mahadev mandir which was supposed to be the Rishi’s deity temple. But according to certain folk stories this Koneshwar Shivalaya is related to the mythological lanka king ‘Rawan’ and was worshipped by Lakshman who learned it from the preachings of Rawan. It is only from the south India, we got the message of Shiv Bhakti. In the 12th century during the attacks of muslim invaders, the shesh teerth temple and the adjoining areas were damaged drastically, inspite of that, the worshipping continued without any hinderance. It was believed that in this complex there was supposed to be an ancient well into which the offerings were received by lord Shiva himself. Lakshmanji is supposed to be the first worshipper of this Shivalaya. This part of Lucknow which was established by lord Lakshman has evidences of “Naag sabhyata”. Evidences of Naag Puja are ample. In Saurashtra state on the sea shores. Figurines of shesh Naag were found which were established by lord Balram in Dwarpar yug, it is believe. During the reign of Aurangzeb the contemporary Governer Sultan Ali Shah khuli Khan ordered a Masjid to be build on the existing pilgrimage, which was later known as “Teele Wali Masjid”. On this mound or teela, there was a ‘rauza’ of Mohammad Peer therefore it was also known as “Mohammad Shah ka Teela”. This Lakshman teela has great significance in the history of Lucknow. Afterwards the Sheikhs constructed the famous ‘Machhi Bhawan’ nearby on the remains of the old Shivalaya and it became the centre around which the future population grew. In the Nawabi period, the first bridge of Lucknow was constructed nearby on the river Gomti and then Nawab Asaf-ud-daula got his first Imambara constructed just opposite to this landmark. Lakshman Teela is approximately 200m long and 120m wide. It is believed that Lakshman Teela has numerous and varied ancient remains in its womb and is a treasure of its kind of ancient Lucknow. Black, brown and blue terracotta pieces and toys in the form of peacock and beautiful terracotta figurines have been found from the excavations. According to the famous historian Wheeler, Lucknow is the one of the ten centres of Aryans who came to India in ancient times. From here, the remains of the Shunga period and the Kushana period with the bricks of Gupta period have been found. The british historians have designated it as “Magnus Emporium” since it was the main distribution centre of the large agricultural products, fruits and vegetables since the area around it was full of fertility and prosperity.
Posted on: Thu, 12 Sep 2013 09:06:02 +0000
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