MOGALMARI
A Team of nine AEG Members visited Mogalmari again to learn from 6th Excavation (2011-12). This excavation was the last Excavation leaded by Late Dr. Ashoke Datta (HOD, Dept. of Archaeology, Calcutta University).
In this excavation, the Fencing of the Buddhist Monastery was unearthing at East and South. Both are 60 M long. The area of the Monastery founded which was 3600 Square Meter (38, 750.40 Sq.Ft). Thirteen unique Stucco-Sculptures were founded at the Western wall of the Monastery. The wall also decorated by Stucco ornaments like Lotus, Dharma-Chakra and other geometrical ornaments. The Monastery was built in 6th Century AD, according to Dr. Datta.
This excavation produced Ornamental Bricks in various forms, Earthenware, terracotta Oil-Lamp, Perfume container, Hair-clip made of iron etc.
The AEG team also visited the House of a gentleman who told about very interesting incidents held since British time. After 2-hours, the AEG Team left the Mogalmari village and moved towards Belda to have lunch.
PATHRA
After lunch, the team moved to the Pathra village, the Village of Temples. At about 3.00 PM, the team reached to Pathra. It is 8KM away from Medinipur Town of West Bengal.
Alivardi Khan; the Nawab of Bengal, Bihar and Odisha; appointed Bidyananda Ghosal as Nayeb of Ratanchawk Pargana in 1732. Bidyananda failed to send tax to Alivardi in time. Then the Nawab arrested him and ordered to throw him before a mad elephant. The elephant did not kill him. Nawab tried thrice but every time the elephant withdraw its leg. Then Nawab released him. The name of the village was changed to Pathra after this incident. Pa (Bengali) means Leg and Utra (Bengali) means withdraw. It becomes Pa-Utra to Pathra. After getting released, Bidyananda built temples after temples in the village. In 18th century, the Ghosal family changed its surname to Majumdar. Another branch of the family became Bandopadhyay. Both families built so many temples. The families gradually shifted from the village and the structures had no maintenance years after years. Jungle grew up on and around the structures. Everybody neglect to remember the structures.
After a long time a Muslim gentleman and history lover, Md. Yasin Pathan, rediscover 34 temples from deep jungle. He is fighting since 45 years for restoration of the Heritage structures. He is a recipient of Kabir Honour bestowed by His Excellency, the President of India.
The AEG team left Pathra at about 5.30PM and reached Kolkata at about 9.30 PM.
To know more about Mogalmari and Pathra, write to aeg@aeguild.in.