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At Patharghata, several rock cut caves and panels on the rock face which detail scenes from the Mahabharat, stylistically ascribed to the Gupta age, mark it as once having been an abode of mendicants immersed in deep meditation. Considerable brick remains atop the hill probably are also suggestive of the existence of a monastic establishment in a later period. The historical remains include the temple named ‘Bateshwarsthan', which is still popular among local pilgrims and estimated to have been highly revered particularly during the rule of the Palas and the Senas, as evidenced from the various sculptures lying scattered in and around the temple along with several inscriptions.
From the remains, the spiritual significance of the site in ancient India, is well felt and similarities with the description of Hieun Tsang make one to surmise that the group of three hills met earlier in the river may have actually served only as the starting point or probably as an extension of the revered spiritual centre which culminated with its epicentre at Patharghata. Wondering about the reasons for such fame, a positive clue is obtained from the detailed research work of Franklin, who, in 1811-13, while on an exploratory drive to locate the possible ancient site of ‘Palibothra’ (Patliputra in Greek literature i.e. modern Patna), had probably visited Patharghata and found the earlier Sanskrit name of the site as ‘Sila-Sangam’, still concurrent and signifying the junction near the rocks of the rivers Ganga and Kosi, which even then was displaced about 5 miles further east.
To be continued...