HARAPPA CULTURE (religious beliefs and seals)

RELIGIOUS BELIEFS

The affluent Harappan society was deeply religious in nature. In the absence of ruins of any temple, altar or statue of gods, we have to rely only on figurines and seals of religious significance to have an idea regarding their religious beliefs. From these available sources we drive following features about their religion:

 1) Worship of the mother Goddesses

2) Worship of male God worship of animal and plants

3) Worship of stones or other objects

 4) Practice of yoga

 5) Worship of Sun fire and water

 6) Disposal of Dead

worship of mother goddess

One of the Cardinal features of Harappan religion was the worship of mother Goddess. A large number of Terracotta figurines in various postures have been unearthed from the ruins. The statues are believed to be of mother Goddess. Most of this images are shown wearing sarees , necklace and waistbands.

 One interesting seal from Harappa shows a female figure standing upside down with outstretched legs and tree sprouting from her womb. According to Scholars she symbolises the Goddesses of fertility or plant Goddess. In other seal we find a female figure with a upraised arms before whom stands a Man brandishing a sword. This posture leads the historians to conclude that some forms of sacrifices were prevalent among the harappans. Besides earthen images of pregnant women, women carrying children etc. are ample proof of the worship of mother Goddess as she was believed to be the source of creation and energy.

Worship of male god

The second features of Harappan religious belief was the worship of male God. In one particular seal we find a male figure meditating with a headgear adorned with horns of Buffalo being surrounded by animals. This explains to certain extent the later concept of the master of the animals known as a Pashupatin. The images of bulls or oxen on the Harappan seals also prove the point that they were worshipped of Shiva in indirect manner.

Worship of animals and plants

Animal worship was another typical feature of Harappan religious belief. Worship of common animal light elephants, rhinoceros, tigers and Bulls was quite prevalent. Worship of the naga deity or Serpent worship and Bull worship were familiar trend. The Bull is usually associated with Lord Shiva. But the absence of cow on the seals is very conspicuous. Most probably the later Hindu tradition of vahanas of Gods and Goddess emerged from Harappan religious belief.

 In addition to the worship of Shiva and Shakti both in human and symbolic forms, the Harappan people followed the practice of worship of stones, trees and animals because they believe them to be the abode of various spirits good or bad. Pictures of trees on the seals, in some cases horned animals and human beings standing under trees, deity is standing between two branches of a peepal tree, are clear evidence of tree worship. There are stray references with regard to the worship of neem and banyan tree.

Worship of stones and other objects

Another peculiarity of Harappan religious belief was the worship of stones in the form linga (men genital organ) and yoni (female genital organ) sources of potency. One Terracotta piece from Kalibangan show pictures of Ling and Yoni on one seal symbolizing Shiva and Shakti.

Practice of yoga

The practice of yoga occupies a prominent place. A large number of Terracotta figurines show the individuals in various yogic postures or asanas. The harappans practiced yoga both for physical exercise and as a religious rites.

Worship of sun fire and water

The remains from Kalibagan, lothal and banwali throw light on the harappans tradition of fire- worship. a number of fire altars strengthen the idea that they were used to light the holy fire. Again from his symbols of Swastik and Chakra, historians believe that most probably these symbols represent Sun worship in the region.

 The harappans had great regarded for water. The regarded water to be very scared and purifying . The discovery of a large number of wells, thanks and public baths in the Rains found on the bank of the Indus river ends up an idea of self purification of the body which was prelude to any worship.

Disposal of death

Different methods of disposing the dead were practiced by the people of Harappan culture.

1)The common method of disposing the dead body was burning the corps.

 2) The second method was to leave the dead in the dense jungles or other inaccessible places to be eaten by birds and animals. The bones were collected afterwards.

3) Third method was to bury the body.

 The absence of cemetery at Mohenjo Daro and large burial ground found at Harappa show that Uniform burial rites were not followed everywhere. But the process of burning was more prevalent. The Ashes where sometimes placed in the urns and at other times unburnt bones were collected in the jars. Earthen pots containing food grains were placed in the grave and in some cases the body was buried with ornaments. A deep analysis of Harappan religious practices and beliefs reveal a number of similarities with the present Hindu religion.

SEALS

Seals are small tablets which were used by Harappan people. The major sites have yielded several seals with pictures and Graffiti on them. Generally Seals are square or rectangular in shape. Some unusual shape seals are also available like crescent, cylindrical, cubical, round, hexagonal or triangular. The content of writing on the seals are probably the names and titles of the owners or traders.

 These seals are mostly made of chloride or French Chalk off white, black, grey or dull yellow colour. But there are few silver, faience and calcite also .motifs on the seals include elephant, tiger, antelope, humped Bull, buffalo, one hom Unicorn, hare and rhinoceros. Also composite animals, human figures and plants are found on the seals.

 The seals are proof for excellent skill of Harappa artistic genius. If the writings on the seals can be deciphered properly, more information can be obtained in this regard. in toto, refined way of town planning, superior socio economic life, relational religious beliefs and practices artistic representation have made the Harappa Immortal not only in the history of India but in the annals of the world. They themselves from a separate chapter in the history of the Civilization by their laudable achievements . Even through Harappa culture was Doomed to destruction with the ravages of time, yet the unique contribution of the Civilization have left reach legacy to be followed by the progeny even in 21st century.