The Archaeology of the Nātha Sampradāya in Western India, 12th to 15th Century

This insightful book investigates the Nātha Sampradāya's religious architecture and its interactions with other faiths in western India during the 12th to 15th centuries.

This book offers a groundbreaking exploration of the Nātha Sampradāya through archaeological evidence, marking the first comprehensive study of its kind. By employing a pioneering approach to the investigation of ascetic traditions, it delves into the religious architecture associated with the Sampradāya. Furthermore, it examines the interactions and shared spaces with other religious communities, including the followers of Siva and Sakti, Buddhism, and Islam, particularly the Sufi tradition.

Focusing specifically on western India, The Archaeology of the Nātha Sampradāya in Western India, 12th to 15th Century meticulously analyzes a wide array of archaeological findings, including temples, caves, and maṭhas. The book critically evaluates iconographic representations of ascetics found on temple walls, as well as sculptural depictions of various yogic postures or āsanas. These findings are contextualized within a broader South Asian framework, highlighting both the shared aspects of the tradition across the subcontinent and the unique regional characteristics, along with their chronological development.

By breaking new ground in the study of religious architecture and ascetic practices, this volume is poised to captivate scholars and researchers interested in religion, particularly Hinduism, as well as history, archaeology, and South Asian studies. It serves as an essential resource for those looking to understand the complexities and nuances of the Nātha Sampradāya and its historical context.