'DANCING GIRL' OF MOHENJODARO
Why in news?
Itihaas, the Hindi journal of the Indian Council of Historical Research, claims that the iconic 'Dancing Girl' of Mohenjodaro is Goddess Parvati, furthering the proof that people of the Indus Valley Civilisation worshipped Shiva.
The interpretation of the Dancing Girl, dating around 2500 BC, as a Hindu goddess - the first such claim - is in line with this argument that the Harappan people worshipped Shiva.
Further, to prove Shiva worship in the Indus Valley Civilisation, the journal states that the trefoil pattern seen on the shawl of the 'Priest King', another iconic sculpture excavated from Mohenjodaro, is sign that the king was the follower of a Hindu god. The trefoil pattern resembles the Vilva or Bilva leaves that are used to worship Shiva today.
The author then goes on to claim that the Dancing Girl is Parvati because "where there is Shiva, there should be Shakti", a manifestation of the Goddess
Other evidence
Several artefacts excavated from Mohenjodaro point to Shiva worship in those times. The famous 'Seal 420', a seal of a horned figure sitting in yogic posture and surrounded by animals, is strong evidence of Shiva worship.
Highly debatable claims
The identity of the figure in the seal has often been the subject of debates. While archaeologist John Marshall in 1931 saw a "prototype of Siva" in this figure, historians have later differed with this interpretation and some have even suggested the figure is of a woman.
Till date, no archaeologist has ever interpreted the 'Dancing Girl' as a goddess, let alone Parvati. This particular artefact has always been seen as the sculpture of a young girl. It is difficult to say anything more than that. The elaborate terracotta female figurines were described by Marshall as mother goddesses, although he categorised some of the other terracotta female figurines as either toys or as being associated with magic.