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e.mail :chennareddyp@gmail.com.

FINAL CIRCULAR

Dear Prof.Dr/Sri/Smt/Miss. ________________________________________

I am happy to invite you, to the 2 day National Seminar on ‘Fresh Light on the History of the Sacred Complex of Srisailam’ being organized on 23^rd -24^th, September 2006.

Srisailam is one of the most ancient religious complexes of India, the abode of Lord Mallikarjuna and Goddess Bhramaramba, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas and one of the Astadasa Sakti pithas respectively.

The Nallamalais, having the Srisailam temple, revealed the evidences of the habitations of Stone Age people in the form of stone tools. The present day chenchus the aboriginal inhabitants of the Nallamalais, and whose settlements are continuous to the prehistoric sites, lead a life broadly similar to that of the prehistoric hunter-gatherers.

Although some scholars have worked on the history, art and architecture of Srisailam there are still many dark corners in its history awaiting research. Srisailam is one of the finest examples of the assimilation of the Popular and Elite cultures of India and continues as a great religious centre since times immemorial. The synthesis of popular and Elite cultures is manifested not only in the fairs, festivals and rituals but in the art and architectural edifices of the temple complex also. The growth of Srisailam as a great Saivite religious and cult complex over the centuries beginning with early centuries of Christian era and the various developmental stages in that process, culminating in its efflorescence as Srisaila Mahakshetram with 4 Dwara Kshetras and 4 Upadwara Kshetras in eight cardinal dirctions is a topic of great interest.

Srisailam during the medieval times acted as a catalyst to the growth and spread of various sects of Saivism. The architectural development of the Srisailam temple complex began during the early historical times and the additions renovations dating back to 11 – 16^th centuries A D are existing even today. The rectangular Prakara wall encircling the whole temple complex contain sculptures depicting various stories from Puranas, epics and sectarian Saiva literature such as Basava Purana.

Some scholars have contributed to our understanding of the antiquity and various other historical aspects of Srisailam. All the oral, literary, archaeological and architectural sources need to be thoroughly studied for a comprehensive understanding of the various facets of the Sacred Complex of Srisailam.

As you are one of the few well known scholars in the fields of Archaeology/History/Epigraphy/Art and Architecture/Iconography we feel honoured to invite you to this seminar and present a paper on any of the topics listed here under:

1. Pre History & Proto History of Srisailam and adjoining areas.

2. Srisailam during early historical /medieval times

3. Srisaila Mahatyam in epic and Puranic literature

4. Srisailam in Telugu/Tamil/Kannada Literature

5. Srisailam in Saiva Siddhanta literature

6. Srisailam in traditional, local and oral histories

7. Srisailam in Inscriptions

8. Saiva sects and cults at Srisailam

9. Art and Architecture of Srisailam

10. Gateways of Srisailam

11. Ecology of the Nallamalais

12. Chenchus and Srisailam

13. Art forms of Popular Saivism

Please make it convenient to inform us your acceptance to attend the seminar and the title of your paper at the earliest. Feel free to contact us at any time. We await your reply.

Reply immediately by email or phone. Send your paper through email attachment.

With warm regards.

Yours sincerely

(P.CHENNA REDDY)