The Gahadavalas, who were the last Hindu rulers of Kashi & Ayodhya practiced a very noble gesture.
Lakshmidhara, who was the Mahasandhivigrahika (minister of warfare) mentions how the sons of those who were killed in battle fighting turushkas were granted state pension.
Lakshmidhara, who was the Mahasandhivigrahika (minister of warfare) mentions how the sons of those who were killed in battle fighting turushkas were granted state pension.
The Krityakalpataru authored by Lakshmidhara gives numerous insights into the nature of the Gahadavalas. Its cursory reading will tell us that the Gahadavalas went out of the way in order to promote, propagate & preserve traditional Hindu culture.
The Gahadavalas were devoted to Suryanarayana. The often villifed Jayachandra made a grants to Lolarka Surya.
Gosalladevi, wife of Govindachadra(Jayachandra's grandfather) made a grant to Gangaditya Surya in Kashi.
Gangaditya & Lolarka are both mentioned in the Skandapurana.
Gosalladevi, wife of Govindachadra(Jayachandra's grandfather) made a grant to Gangaditya Surya in Kashi.
Gangaditya & Lolarka are both mentioned in the Skandapurana.
In the Krityakalpataru, Lakshmidhara mentions how the Gahadavala kings revived vedic & Puranic traditions of Northern plains in a big way. The king was required to perform 7 religions ceremonies.
They included Devayatra, Kaumudimahotsava, Indradhvajochraya, Navaratripuja..
They included Devayatra, Kaumudimahotsava, Indradhvajochraya, Navaratripuja..
Cihnapuja, Vasodhaara & Gavotsarga. Lakshmidhara gives further details regarding the 7 religious ceremonies. Devayatra was performed on certain tithis & naksatras in honour of Ganga, Vinayaka, Naga, Skanda, Surya, Rudra, Indra, Durga & Vishnu.
Kaumudimahotsava was performed during the purnima day during Kartika maasa, it was a festival exclusively dedicated to Shiva.
Indradhvaja, the staff of victory, was originally given by Shiva to Vishnu and from him it passed on to various devas, the last being Indra.
Indradhvaja, the staff of victory, was originally given by Shiva to Vishnu and from him it passed on to various devas, the last being Indra.
During Navaratri puja, Gahadavala kings invoked Durga & her various other manifestations including the terrfic ones.
Vasodhaara, mention in the Veda samhita & Puranas is invocation of Maha Lakshmi.
And finally Gavotsarga, a festival in celebration of Gaumata.
Vasodhaara, mention in the Veda samhita & Puranas is invocation of Maha Lakshmi.
And finally Gavotsarga, a festival in celebration of Gaumata.
The Gahadavalas, just like other Hindu rulers made so many grants to many temples that it necessitated Lakshmidhara to write a separate chapter called Teertha-vivechana-khanda. The grants were made to temples at Kashi, Ayodhya, Prayaga, Kanyakubja etc
Lakshmidhara mentions at least 340 Shiva temples at Kashi to whicj grants were made. All these grants were made on special days like Sankranti, Ugadi, Akshya tritiya, Rathasaptami. Every grant mentions this.
With the kind of patronage, one can imagine what a splendid city Kashi & Ayodhya must've been. Just thinking about the level of sophistication, class & culture of then rulers gives goosebumps.
From such high sophisticated culture to the culture of laser & dj music. What a fall.
From such high sophisticated culture to the culture of laser & dj music. What a fall.
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