Forgotten Buddhist Heritage. Pathiyar Inscription ,Khaniyara Inscription , Chetru Stup and Lakha Mandal of Kangra

Situated on the lap of Dhauladhar, Pathiyar( Near Nagrota Bagwan)is a small but beautiful village. Today  village is equipped with all modern amenities but underneath buried centauries old Buddhist Past. The village has a rare 200 BC bilingual stone inscription(Encyclopedia Of Art And Culture In India Vol. 6) written in Brahmi and Kharosthi Script. The inscription is oldest archaeological record of any kind in state Himachal Pradesh. Khaniyara inscription which is similar in nature is 300 years younger than Pathiyar inscription and again the Virayasa coin of Kuluta is of 100 AD.

           (“Text- Rathitarasa Vayulasa pukarini.    Translation: - The Rathitara Vayula’s pond.”)

 

Use of Kharosthi in inscription indicates the influence of North Western Indian which was under dominion of Indo Greek at this point of history, discovery of numerous Indo Greek Coins along with Adumabara coins in Kangra and Chamba also indicate the same. Adumbara was the local republican ruling this part of country at that time. No Significant coins of Trigarta has been discovered (Digital South Asia Library).

                                                             (Chetru Stupa Near Dharamshala)

It is believed that area of Upper Beas Valley (Pathiyar-Lakhamandal -Khaniyara- Chetru Stup and Brajeshwari) was center of Buddhist activities for significant part of history. There is a Buddhist Stupa of (200 -300AD) near Dharamshala in Chetru, locally called as Bhimtilla. It is believed that there was a large Buddhist Vihara, the site has already yielded important Buddhist artifacts.                                         

                 (Remains of Stupa- Kushan Era Bricks)

Coming again to Lakha mandal it also had a large Buddhist vihara, ruins of which were quite visible until late 19th century when it was destroyed by local under  superstitious beliefs. The Fact that Pathiyar -Lakhamandal - Chahri were important Buddhist centers is supported by discovery of Kushan Era Bricks(Lakhmandal), Headless Buddha(Pathiyar) and Buddhist tantric artifacts in Chahri. Over the years gap between Mahayna Buddhism and Hinduism blurred and former was merged into later.  Merger of two faiths also encouraged by attack of Huns and Arabs.

All above sites are under the Protection of ASI but despite the Govt prohibition construction activities are rampant in the vicinity of sites. There is a scope of  large scale excavation in Lakhamandal -Pathiyar –Khaniyara- Chetru and  other surrounding areas. There are numerous other sites remained unexplored  where Mahayana Buddhism is still alive under the broader Hindu umbrella. 

Present Religious Beliefs of Lakhamandal:  (Panjpiri)