Remains of 1300-year-old temples found near Bhopal

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has found the remains of 1300-year-old temples at Ashapuri village, 36km from Bhopal.

The debris of the temples seems to be massive. Of the 21 temples, the one dedicated to Bhoothnath was the biggest. The archaeologists have named the excavation project 'Bhootnath Temple' series.

"We have found ruins of temples dating back 1300 years, even before the Parmar dynasty," said Ashok Das, Madhya Pradesh commissioner of the ASI. "Before the Parmar dynasty, there were Pratihar dynasty rulers in this area. They constructed temples with steeple-shaped structure. These temples were large and beautiful.

"The 21 temples you can see here were made during the Pratihar rule. The largest temple whose cleanliness is yet to be done might have been made by the Parmar dynasty."

The excavators have found over 400 remains of idols of Hindu gods and goddesses made during the regime of the Pratihar and Parmar rulers. The state government has taken the responsibility of preserving these relics of Indian history.

"It is the responsibility of the archaeology department to find things of historical importance and preserve them. That is why the state government is doing this work," said Laxmikant Sharma, minister for culture.

Locals claimed that the Mughal rulers had razed these temples.