Heliodorus pillar is a stone pillar erected by Heliodorus, a diplomat representing the Indo-Greek King Antialcidas of Takshila, in the court of King Bhagabhadra of the Shunga Dynasty.
As a mark of homage to Vasudeva Temple, who is known as the God of Gods, on behalf of King Antialcidas near Udayagiri in Vidisha which was then known as Besnagar, Bhelsa and Bhaddilpur in ancient times. This temple is situated on the banks of river Bais.
This temple is completely ruined but this stone pillar is still erected. Vasudeva’s imaginary vehicle was Garuda which was mounted the stone pillar as its capital. Vasudeva is actually Vishnu.This stone pillar is having inscription in Brahmi mentioned the dedication to the Vasudeva and brief details including the glorification of King Bhagbhadra as a liberator. It’s assumed that the Heliodorus embraced Vaishnavism. It’s also assumed that this Pillar or column of Honour was erected in 113 BC as it was excavated by the British Archaeologist Alexandra Cunningham.
Shunga’s capital was Patliputra but Besnagar was also a their court. Vidisha was a prominent township since Emperor Ashoka’s reign whose wife was from this town.
If visitors wish to visit this ancient monuments in Vidisha Madhya Pradesh they have to ask for Khambaba as this site is popular by this name even the village is also named as Khambaba on the Kurwai Road. From Udayagiri it can be accessed easily as it’s about 4 kms away from Udayagiri.