An Encyclopaedia of Indian Archaeology v1.c9.s9.45

v1.c9.s9.45

In such a mixed population the religious beliefs are also bound to be many and varied. Thus, whereas on the one hand there was down-to-earth worship like that of trees and streams and probably of the spirits believed to be residing in them, the figure of the *yogī* from Mohenjo-daro on the other hand tends to suggest that meditation on 'Higher Reality' was also practised. In between there were other kinds of worships and rituals. The depiction on some seals of a three-faced deity, wearing a feather-and-horn head-gear and surrounded by a large number of wild and domesticated animals, shows that Śiva in the form of Paśupati, lord of animals, was under worship. Śaivism is again suggested by some of the remains which have been taken to be *lingas* and *yonis*. A ritual associated with 'fire altars', and animal sacrifice, again forming a part of some ritual, are evidenced from KALIBANGAN.