A labyrinth is a maze that someone can walk through by following a path. You start outside, walk inside, and then follow a path back to where you started. Usually, once you step inside, there is only one way out.
Explore these labyrinths in India
Labyrinths are as old as human settlements. We have found them carved in all kinds of places – on altars, on riverbanks, in nature. They were probably the earliest observatories to observe the movement of celestial bodies in the sky. They may have been used for prayer and meditation. Even today, they are used for moving meditation in many parts of the world.
A serpentine trail takes you in and out with the flow, alternately taking you closer and further away from the centre.
Labyrinths are pretty universal. Ancient labyrinths have been found all over the world. India is the oldest civilisation, so why wouldn’t we have some glimpses of it? I have found labyrinths during my travels in the country. Come with me on a virtual tour of ancient labyrinths in India:
Panseimol Maze in Goa
There is an amazing archaeological site on the rocky bed of the Sharavati River in South Goa. There are ancient petroglyphs with carvings of various animals and depictions of human birth. However, the most fascinating carving is that of the labyrinth. It is carved clearly on the red laterite stone. There is a pair of feet carved at its entrance, as if a devotee would have stood here and prayed.
I haven’t seen it, but I’m told that some local communities still visit this labyrinth and worship. People sit in the middle and meditate. Mind you, it’s only visible before the monsoon season and remains hidden in water for most of the year.
It is possibly the oldest surviving labyrinth in India and possibly the world.
Read our detailed post on the rock art of Goa.
Must Read: Best places to visit in South Goa during holidays
Bhadrakali or Devikup in Kurukshetra
Let me take you to the Mahabharata war that took place at Kurukshetra. Remember Arjuna’s younger son Abhimanyu was killed in the Chakravyuh – a formation that he knew how to enter but not how to exit. So, he entered it, fought bravely and was killed. It is believed that this Chakravyuh is nothing but a labyrinth with only one way in and one way out.
It is carved in the ancient Bhadrakali temple here, also known as Devikup. I still remember the bright yellow colour of this labyrinth which reminds me of an incident from the distant past.
The maze is new or possibly renewed from time to time, but the memory is ancient.
Gokarna
Gokarna is an ancient pilgrimage site located on the west coast of India. It is associated with many sages, saints and mythological stories.
There are many rocks overlooking the Arabian Sea. There is a huge labyrinth near the Jatayu Tirtha rock. At first glance it looks very new, built by placing small stones in the shape of a labyrinth. No one can really tell when it was built. It is surrounded by caves hidden inside the red laterite rock.
It is so big that one can walk through it. I walked through it once and then a few more times. The sound of the sea waves hitting the rocky surface made me feel like I was being taken inward. My focus shifted from the outside world to my inner peaceful self.
Must Read: Places to visit in Gokarna – for pilgrims and leisure travellers
Bangalore
In my podcast Detours Arun Bharadwaj talked about ancient temples in Bangalore. He mentioned a stone circle or Chakravyuha made of stones near the Bannerghatta National Park which is at least 2000 years old. It is now almost inside the city limits and can be seen as soon as you enter the Suvarnamukhi Hills after the Bannerghatta forest area.
According to Arun, people consider it a wish fulfillment wheel. They go around asking for their wish and their wish is fulfilled.
I haven’t been there yet but hope to go soon.
Vijayapura or Bijapur
On the roof of Ibrahim Roza in Vijayapura, you can see an intricate labyrinth made in the shape of a swastika. You can count 24 swastikas that make up this intricate labyrinth.
Since it is on the ceiling, you cannot walk on it. But I hope it can be recreated on the floor somewhere. It would be interesting to experience walking in the shape of interconnected swastikas.
it’s at least 17th But I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s even older than that.
Then, there are many new structures across the country that are creating labyrinths. Some of them are used by people for walking on a regular basis.
Halebidu Temple, Karnataka
This labyrinth is a depiction of Abhimanyu’s battle in the Mahabharata war. Here you can see the labyrinth as a war structure.
If you know of any other ancient labyrinths in India, please let me know.
Or where would you like to wander around a huge maze?
