Latest news with #MyNaaSwamy
The Hindu
24-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Historian calls for restoration of ancient Mallela Gutta hillock temples of Vijayanagara era
Gorantla-based historian MyNaa Swamy on Saturday urged the State government to undertake the restoration of ancient temples of the Vijayanagara empire, located atop the Mallela Gutta hillock near Vanavolu road in Sri Sathya Sai district. Speaking to the media at the Madhavaraya temple here, Mr. Swamy said that a formal representation was being submitted to the Department of Tourism, Archaeology, and Culture, seeking the reconstruction of these historically significant structures. The historian said that the department's Principal Secretary, Ajay Jain, had positively responded to the representation and assured that a team of officials from the Archaeology wing would soon conduct a ground-level survey of the site. Mr. Swamy said that the two temples on top of the hillock were constructed in Vijayanagara architectural style. 'One of them is still called the Madhava Rayala Sannidhi. Both temples slowly slipped into oblivion and were subjected to neglect and dilapidation,' he said. The historian said that in recent years, he along with local villagers from Vanavolu, and surrounding hamlets, visited the ruined sites to assess the condition of the temples. The historian said that the inscription carved on a large rock in front of the temple was a testimony that Emperor Venkata Raya-II of the Vijayanagara empire had granted land to the temple for its maintenance in the year 1638 of the Saka era. Mr. Swamy called for the preservation of such historical monuments as they would not only highlight the cultural and religious significance of the region, but also serve as a testimony to the lost heritage of the Vijayanagara dynasty.
The Hindu
18-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Historian urges Chief Minister to preserve ancient Vaishnavite temple in Sathya Sai district
Historian MyNaa Swamy has appealed to Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu to directs officials to draw up a comprehensive master plan for the development and beautification of the Sri Sajjaganta Ranganatha Swamy temple at Gudipalli in Somandepalli mandal of Sri Sathya Sai district. 'Despite the temple's rich mythological and historical significance, it remains largely neglected,' he said. Addressing a press conference here on Sunday, following his visit to the temple as part of his ongoing research on the temple architecture of the Vijayanagara Empire, Mr. MyNaa Swamy shared a remarkable discovery — an inscription dating back to 1299 CE, attributed to Hoysala King Veeraballala III. The inscription, in Kannada, was found on the bottom stone of the southern wall of the sanctum sanctorum. The inscription dates to the Salivahana Saka 1221, Pramadi year, Magha month — corresponding to January or February of 1299 CE. The historian explained that Penukonda Seema was part of the Dorasamudram kingdom (present-day Halebidu in Karnataka) under the rule of Hoysala King Veeraballala III (1292–1343), son of Veera Narasimha III. Based on this evidence, he suggested that the Sri Sajjaganta Ranganatha Swamy temple may have been built during Veeraballala III's reign. MyNaa Swamy was accompanied by Ramakanth Reddy, president of the Temple Development Committee, history researcher Vangampalli Gopi, Gudipalli Ramesh, Penukonda Sridhar and others. He expressed astonishment at the temple's architectural completeness, which includes a sanctum sanctorum, antaralam (antechamber), mukha mandapam (front hall), open halls, towering gopurams, strong ramparts, and a sacred pushkarini (temple tank). 'Gudipalli was once a prominent Vaishnavite center during the reign of the Hoysalas and the Vijayanagara Empire, and was regarded as one of the 108 important temples in South India,' he said. Regarding the Brindavan (tomb) located outside the temple complex, Swamy said it was constructed in 1398 CE by a royal woman named Saamaayi, as recorded in an inscription dated to Saka 1320, Bahudhanya year, Vaisakha month. The Brindavan was built as the samadhi (final resting place) of Sri Harideva, the then presiding priest.
New Indian Express
07-05-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Protect inscriptions in Anantapur's Penukonda Fort: Historian MyNaa Swamy
ANANTAPUR: Historian MyNaa Swamy has urged the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to repair the crumbling sections of Penukonda Fort in Anantapur district and preserve its historical inscriptions. On Tuesday, Swamy inspected the fort and expressed concern over the condition of the ancient structure. He said, the earliest known inscription, dated 1354 CE, has been damaged due to the shifting of the fort wall. He stressed on the inscription's importance, noting that it offers details about the fort's construction. Swamy pointed out that the inscription located near the northern entrance gate is obscured by a heap of garbage, as municipal officials have been dumping waste in front of it. He said that a section of the wall near the Gorantla entry gate, previously struck by a lorry must be urgently restored. He appealed to officials to intervene without delay and ensure that the site is protected.
The Hindu
06-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Historian calls for restoration of Penukonda Fort
Historian MyNaa Swamy on Tuesday called for immediate restoration of Penukonda Fort, one of the largest forts in Andhra Pradesh. He inspected the inscriptions on the walls and appealed to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to take up works to safeguard the fort and inscriptions. The fort wall has reportedly shifted and the stone containing the inscription split over the years. The Penukonda Fort played a crucial role in the Vijayanagara Empire (1336-1647 CE) and its earliest inscription dates back to 1354 CE. This inscription is particularly significant as it provides insight into the fort's construction. Inscription detailing the fort's construction is located on the inner side of the northern entrance gate. However, the most important inscription detailing the history of Penukonda Fort is becoming obscured in a garbage heap, as the municipality is dumping waste directly in front of it, Mr. MyNaa Swamy alleged. The historian has urged the authorities to clean the area and erect a fence, and install a signboard explaining its historical significance. He emphasised that it is the responsibility of every citizen to protect monuments. He said the fort wall is on the verge of collapse, having been previously damaged by a lorry that struck it near the Gorantla entry gate, and urged the ASI to take immediate action.
