Our trip around Rajgir continues and we land at Maniyar Math. This historic place is very much in the news now as the Archaeological Survey of India has started massive restoration work out here. When I visited it was clearly visible that these places and the surrounding areas have the potential of being excavated more thus revealing more structures that were once lost.
History Of Maniyar Math
Maniyar Math historically is quite significant as historians have dated this to be a Gupta-period site. Approximately this place is dated to have its existence from the beginning of the sixth century. The original historic site was lost to the world for centuries and had turned into a mound. A Jain temple was built on this mound and Alexander Cunningham decided to explore this potential site and started digging around the sides of the mound to locate what lies beneath. Luck did not favor him and he could not reach the actual treasure which was hidden below.
Things changed drastically in 1905 – 1906 when Theodor Bloch excavated this location completely. He demolished the Jain temple which was at the top of the mound and excavated the whole site properly. During this excavation, the main cylindrical structure was discovered. What they also discovered was that the original temple was not the first structure but was built on top of another older structure.
Historians believe that there could be other structures hidden below and around the temple site. Hopefully, after the recent excavation activity by ASI, some of these hidden structures will be revealed.
Historians have found reference to this temple in Pali texts where this is referred to as Manimala- chaitya (temple of the one with mani).
What To See At Maniyar Math
As you enter the site you will find a large rectangular raised platform in front of you, climbing up a few stairs will take you to the top of the platform. From the top, you can see the remains of other structures on the left and right sides. In front of you will be the main cylindrical structure which has been covered on top with metal corrugated sheets to protect the structure from rain and sun.
Taking another flight of stairs down from the raised platform will bring you to the cylindrical structure. Interestingly these stairs were added post the excavation and a marble plaque has been placed on the stairs with the date as 1937.
The cylindrical structure is hollow and there is a small opening at the base through which one can go inside the cylindrical structure. However, to prevent tourists from venturing inside a metal fencing has been placed.
All around this cylindrical structure, one can see what remains of stucco sculptures. Unfortunately, most of them were lost during the excavation process and only portions remain by which you can make that these were the hands and legs of some deity. There were three big ones Vishnu on the east, Ganesha on the south, and Shiva Nataraj on the west. Apart from these in between the big ones were Nag (male) and Nagi (female). At the moment you cannot see any one of these as they have been removed and shifted to the museum for proper maintenance. Hopefully, after the latest restoration work, these will be back at their original place.
This cylindrical structure also tells us that it was constructed over different timelines as the brick color and shape do not match up when looking from bottom to top. Clearly showing that at different timelines the temple was added on and slowly developed.
The central theme of this site is that of a Naag (snake), from which we get the name Naag Mani which evolved into Maniyar (snake with mani or jewel on its forehead). There is a remains of a small shrine dedicated to Naag on the western side of the premises. Mani Naag was the main deity of this region and the locals worshiped here.
Interestingly if you now look at it you can now understand that the cylindrical structure is a Shiva Linga. With the top portion collapsed which later got covered with corrugated sheets one cannot make out this structure. The stucco sculptures all adorned the base of the Shiva Linga and devotees would walk around the Linga to worship it. With time this place also became a Buddhist shrine and the Linga was transformed into a stupa.
You will find people placing small square pieces of gold leaf on the main cylindrical structure and some random coins around the structure. The locals still come here to pray and they would go around the structure in circles and wish for health, wealth, etc.
On the eastern side, one can see three large well-like structures, don’t be alarmed if the locals insist that these wells were once filled with gold and were store room for gold. These are just myths and these were just ordinary water well built for the common people of the kingdom. As per some reports and historians these wells were built by Shilabhadra and Queen Chelna.
How To Visit Maniyar Math
Maniyar Math is located right next to the main road and is very easy to spot. If you are going towards Son Bhandar Then you have to take the road diversion right in front of Maniyar Math. This is a very common tourist spot and forms a part of guided tours of this region.
If you are travelling by car then you can park your vehicle down the two sides of the main road leading towards Son Bhandar. If you are taking a tour of Rajgir on e-rickshaws always stop here before proceeding towards Son Bhandar.
This is not a ticketed monument, a guided tour also is not required since this is a small place with just one main structure.
Location Of Maniyar Math On Map
Video Of Maniyar Math
Other Blogs On Rajgir
Chariot Wheel Mark and Shell Characters In Rajgir
Son Bhandar Caves
Cyclopean Wall Of Rajgir
Hiuen Tsang Memorial Hall
Nalanda Mahavihara Archaeological Site
Resources
From Gupta To Pala Sculpture By Sheila Weiner
The art of Eastern India by Frederick M Asher
Annual Report Of The Archaeological Survey Of India 1935-36 Annual Report Of The Archaeological Survey Of India 1936-37
Live Hindustan
Indian Culture (GOI)
Bihar Tourism
Archaeological Survey of India – Patna Circle
Deccan Herald