29-05-2025
Diamond Hunters Descend On Kurnool: Here's Why Locals 'Treasure' First Monsoon Rainfall
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Experts say the rainfall helps expose the stones by washing away the topsoil. Locals estimate that diamonds worth Rs 4 to Rs 5 crore are found annually in these parts
Monsoon rainfall is precious for rural India. More so in Kurnool district, as with the season's first showers, diamond seekers from Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka have begun arriving in Maddikera and Tuggali mandals in search of precious stones, according to a report by The New Indian Express. Villagers and fortune-seekers, driven by age-old legends of buried treasures from the Vijayanagara era, have descended on areas such as Jonnagiri, Peravali, Pagidirayi, and Madanantapuram.
Recent reports of valuable stone discoveries have intensified the rush. 'A rumour is spreading that a man from Tuggali found stones worth Rs 10 lakh," Jonnagiri resident G Rama Krishna told TNIE. 'We haven't seen proof, but it's enough to get people moving."
Currently, only local villagers are involved, but hundreds more from Kurnool, Anantapur, Kadapa, Prakasam, and Karnataka's Bellary district are expected to arrive in the coming weeks. Many will set up makeshift tents and camp in nearby areas.
Experts say the rainfall helps expose stones by washing away the topsoil. Locals estimate that diamonds worth Rs 4 to Rs 5 crore are found annually in these mandals.
The diamond hunt extends beyond the Kurnool district. In neighbouring Anantapur district, as soon as the first rains fall, villagers in areas such as Jonnagiri, Tuggali, Maddikera, Pagidirayi, and Peravali mandals begin their search for diamonds. This tradition involves villagers meticulously scratching the wet ground, hoping to uncover hidden treasures.
According to reports, a farmer from Jonnagiri last year experienced a stroke of incredible luck. After a bout of rainfall, this farmer, while engaged in fieldwork, discovered a diamond valued at 1.5 million rupees. The news of this discovery spread quickly, and it was reported that a trader purchased the diamond for a sum of Rs 1,200,000 in cash, along with 5 tolas of gold jewellery.
First Published:
May 29, 2025, 20:22 IST
