Explore Ancient India

  Figure 1: Idols of Masan Deity By Biswarup Chatterjee .         It is difficult to precisely determine when and how Hinduism began to spread in Cooch Behar. However, there is no doubt that Shaivism had the most prominent influence in the ancient princely state of Cooch Behar. From various historical texts, we came to know that the kings of Cooch Behar constructed numerous temples and installed idols, not only across this district but also in neighboring districts and states, affirming that the royal lineage adhered to Hinduism. Such influence can be clearly seen in the various traditional festivals and rituals of the region .The majority of the subjects were also followers of Hinduism.         Later on, with the growing influence of Shaivism and Vaishnavism, many local or regional customs and festivals underwent such transformations that it has become exceedingly difficult to determine their original roots. Numerous religious preachers arri...

 (Courtesy: https://images.app.goo.gl/ca36q1ZPgPbsJq7WA). By Biswarup Chatterjee

Courtesy: (https://images.app.goo.gl/ru2aBP3yPQEpDuh59) (Author - Biswarup Chatterjee.) Introduction The Mauryan Empire stands as one of the most influential and expansive empires in ancient Indian history. Among its rulers, Emperor Ashoka remains the most prominent—both for his political achievements and his transformative embrace of Buddhism. This blog explores Ashoka's lineage, the legacy of his predecessors, and the nuanced historical debates surrounding his rise to power. Chandragupta Maurya: The Founder of an Empire. The Mauryan dynasty began with Chandragupta Maurya, who ascended the throne of Magadha after defeating Seleucus Nicator, the former general of Alexander the Great and ruler of Syria. This victory allowed Chandragupta to expand his dominion across northern India and into the northwest up to Kandahar. Greek sources note that Seleucus sent Megasthenes as an ambassador to Chandragupta’s court at Pataliputra (modern-day Patna). Megasthenes’ observations offer one of t...

                                                  Plate  1 - Cork Image of Goddess  Biṣaharῑ. (Courtesy: https://images.app.goo.gl/DxmLgdswLfrRFYaW6 )   Plate  2 - Earthen Sculpture of Goddess  Biṣaharῑ. (Courtesy: https://www.indiamart.com/proddetail/bengali-style-maa-manasa-devi-2853469678288.html ) Author - Biswarup Chatterjee. Abstract: This article explores the traditional worship of Biṣaharῑ, a local manifestation of the snake goddess Manasā, among the Rajbanshi community of North Bengal, particularly in Cooch Behar and Alipurduar. Biṣaharῑ, also known as Padma, is revered as a household deity and is closely linked to the region’s folk religious practices and cultural heritage. The article delineates the forms of Biṣaharῑ worship Kāni-Biṣaharῑ and Gῑdālῑ-Biṣaharῑ highlighting their social significance, seasonal observance, and r...

  Author – Biswarup Chatterjee                                                                     Plate No. 1                India has long been celebrated as a land of cultural and traditional vibrancy, exemplified through its conventional arts, crafts, artifacts, sculptures, and heritage. Each state and union territory across the country showcases a distinct cultural identity, beautifully expressed through diverse forms of folk art. Every region of the Indian subcontinent is enriched with its own folk traditions, artistic patterns, and heritage. Indian folk art is notably ethnic, colorfu...

Author - Biswarup Chatterjee         The remote and mystic land of Tibet, often termed the Forbidden Land, is home to a unique tapestry of spiritual beliefs and ceremonial practices that govern life and death alike. Among its most compelling and culturally distinctive traditions are its funerary customs, which reflect a deep-rooted Buddhist worldview, shaped by the philosophy of impermanence, rebirth, and the pancha bhuta or five-element theory. These customs—such as sky burials, celestial and earthly interments, and the ritual mummification of revered lamas—not only demonstrate the Tibetans' profound spiritual detachment from the body but also their perception of death as a natural transition rather than a final end.           The article explores these diverse rites in detail, drawing from historical accounts, travelers’ observations, and Tibetan religious practices. It reveals how religion, culture, geography, and cosmology converge t...