Antiquities at Deogarh

New discoveries of antiquities are a continuous process in Deogarh, as I learnt during my visit when a Buddhist cave was discovered just days back along the riverside ridge. The town also hosts a multitude of Jaina temples and caves devoted to Hindu and Buddhist deities. The forested grounds opposite the Dashavatara rises abruptly into a hill which covered in vegetation, directly overlooks the Betwa on three sides. The fort atop the hill was built at this spot with a view to cement a line of defence on the river, from any attackers coming from the south or west. While the fort is largely ruined, conservation efforts within have seen a set of Jain temples being preserved. The ASI lists as many as 31 Jain temples here, dated into two broad periods of temple-building with about 2000 sculptures at one place, which is probably the only collection of its kind in the world. In what is a virtual museum of Jain art, the place has manasthamba votive pillars standing in the courtyard of temples; sahastrakuta pillars each depicting a thousand gods as well as panels showcasing mythological events such as the penance of the various tirthankaras. Both the quality of the rock cuts and the sheer numbers amaze a visitor. 

To be continued....