Kanswa
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Kanswa
Kansua | |
|---|---|
City | |
 Shiva temple at Kanswa | |
 Interactive map of Kanswa | |
| Country |  India |
| State | Rajasthan |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Hindi |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| ISO 3166 code | RJ-IN |
Kanswa, also spelled Kansua, is a village in the Kota district of Rajasthan, India. It is of archaeological importance.[1] It is the site where James Tod found an inscription in 1820 AD that reveals the rule of the Jat king Maharaja Shalinder in Kota region in 5th century AD.[2]
There is a temple to Shiva here, located "in a scenic spot along the banks of a spring a few kilometers outside of Kota". An in situ inscription on the temple's wall, dated to 738 CE (VS 795), records the temple's construction and endowment by a private individual name Śivagaṇa. The inscription says that the temple was built on the site of the Kaṇvāśrama — that is, the ashram of the sage Kaṇva. The modern name Kansua is derived from this name Kaṇvāśrama.[3]: 86 The inscription also mentions a ruler named Dhavala, who is likely the same person as the Dhavalappadeva mentioned in the Dabok stone inscription dated to c. 725 CE.[4] Dhavala, however, does not seem to have played any role in the temple's founding.[3]: 86
The temple has been extensively rebuilt since its original construction, although some of the original elements are still present. There was probably originally a larger complex of smaller shrines, and possibly also a matha, around the main linga shrine, but stone walls now enclose a smaller area. Images of Lakulīśa placed in prominent locations suggest that the temple was once affiliated with the Pāśupata Shaiva sect.[3]: 86, 93