Franklin is noted to have relied upon the descriptions contained in the Uttar-Purana and Chore Punchasica written by Chore Kubi Pandit, which while describing the reign of Rajah Gundh Merdun, who founded his capital city of Raj Dhani Indrasun at one coss from the hill of Bateshwar, ascribed to Bikram Samvat 1445 (1388 A.D),importantly mentions a tradition regarding worship of the Mahadeva by an assembly of the devatas (Gods)at ‘Sila-Sangam’, thereby attesting to the sanctity of the site. Interestingly, Nundolal Dey, who visited later around 1909, however, could find no traces of the earlier Sanskrit name surviving. As local memories of the past continue to fade very fast, even Patharghata now is not a very familiar name locally and people address the whole site simply as Bateshwarsthan. Perhaps, the actual name of the site with such ancient ramblings beckons more importance, since originating from here, and interspersed by several hillocks forming the last stretch of the hills of Rajmahal, are scattered ancient and medieval mounds, both small and large containing remains which once formed parts of the famous Mahavihar, confirmed by continued excavations between 1961 to 1981, respectively by the Patna University and the Archaeological Survey of India, as being the largest excavated single monastic complex in India so far.

To be continued....