“The problems of archaeological interpretation are perhaps most evident in attempts to reconstruct the religious practices of Harappa”. Give suitable

arguments in support of your answer.

Following are the religious practices followed by Harappan Civilization-

1) worshipped nature including the sun, moon, tree, rain, thunder. They also considered trees like Peepal as sacred.

2) Animism- they worshipped animals like a pigeon, Rhino, hump bull, snake, including some mystic animals like a unicorn.

3) Pashupati Mahadev- A seal excavated at Harappa with a picture of a man in a yogi posture under a people tree with closed eyes surrounded by four animals- buffalo, rhino, tiger, elephant and two deer at its feet. The man has got two horns on the head. He is given the name of ‘Pashupati Mahadev- Shiva’

4) Mother Goddess- a terracotta statue of a woman wearing a head dress and holding a smile has been found in all the houses.

5) Phalluh and Yoni- At Harappa and Lothal, stone linga have been excavated, suggesting that they worshipped the same.