Sarsanka, Mughalmari may become tourist destinations

24 December 2012

biswabrata goswami
MIDNAPORE, 24 DEC: The state tourism department plans to promote Sarsanka and Mughalmari ~ two places of historical interest in West Midnapore district ~ as new tourist destinations.
While paying a formal visit to these two places on Saturday, Mr Vikram Sen, principal secretary, state tourism department, said: “The state government has already sanctioned Rs 80 lakh for excavation and development of Mughalmari. An overall development plan for Sarsanka, at a cost of Rs 150 crore, has already been chalked out.”
Recent excavations at Mughalmari, a Buddhist monastery in Dantan in West Midnapore, reveal a strong presence of Buddhism in the state which dates back to the sixth century AD. It is believed to be the biggest monastic structure discovered so far in West Bengal and it was probably an institution on the lines of Nalanda.
Several relics of post-Gupta period, dating back to the sixth and seventh century AD, have been unearthed which resemble those found in Nalanda and Karnasubarna. This monastic structure was, however, made in two phases: after the destruction of its original monastic complex another structure was built on its basic foundation. Its early phase structure was made of various decorative bricks and beautiful relics.
Later it was painted in red and the whole complex was decorated with beautiful artwork. But, in the second phase structure, the complex was not made with earlier phase’s arts. The monastic complex was left abandoned after 12th century. A team comprising eight members from Calcutta University's archaeology department, led by the late Ashok Datta, started digging the area in 2003. During the sixth phase excavation, it was believed to be the largest find till date in Bengal, measuring about 3,600 sq mt.
The complex and the statues trace their origin to the reign of Sasanka, who ruled Bengal between 590 AD and 626 AD. The relics which have been recovered include a 10th century Buddha idol, a map of the Bouddha Vihar and a dozen other figurines. The team had discovered 45 types of decorative bricks and some statues of Buddha in various forms.
They have also come across some sculptures of Dharmachakra as well. Dharmachakra, the wheel of life, is a religious symbol representing Buddha’s path to enlightenment.
Like Mughalmari, Sarsanka in Dantan is also a historical place where the seventh century king of Gour had dug a large tank which is still in use but is now known as Sarsanka Dighi commemorating some local chieftain of the Ganga dynasty who probably had it renovated in the 11th century. Lord Chaitanya travelled to Puri and on the way he rested at Dantan which has become an important Vaishnava centre on that account.
“The state government has honoured the demand of the residents who have repeatedly urged promotion of the place into a new tourist destination. We have decided to excavate the site and develop the area with the help of some other departments. The infrastructure will be developed to attract foreign tourists,” said Mr Sen.