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New Indian Express
16 hours ago
- General
- New Indian Express
Excavation at Karnataka's Lakkundi to unearth clues to Rashtrakutas, Hoysalas
GADAG : Excavation began at Lakkundi for the second time in 20 years. This time, an open ground has been prepared to collect antique items, coins and inscriptions of Kote Veerabhadreshwara Temple. Retired scientist Keshav and his team are working with the ASI team, and there is much curiosity among history enthusiasts to see the artifacts being excavated. In November, ten teams started excavation work at Lakkundi and found five wells, six inscriptions and 600 historic stone carvings. This time, five families handed over their houses to the excavation team, and ASI officials also plan to make an open museum under the guidance of Tourism Minister HK Patil. Incidentally, the first excavation was started in 2004-05 under Patil, who was then irrigation minister. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah inaugurated the work this week. As per Lakkundi Heritage Development Authority sources, there are good chances of getting coin mintage, some more wells, temples and antique items from the Rashtrakuta, Kalyani, Chalukya and Hoysala eras. In 2004, Lakkundi Prabhudeva Mutt's south part, and a wall belonging to the ninth or tenth century was found. In 2005, some stone age items were found. This time, the idea of an open museum has attracted many as it is the first time the people of Lakkundi will be able to see artifacts in an open place. Siddalingeshwar Patil, committee member of Lakkundi Heritage Development Authority, said, 'This time, we are curious to see what we get after excavation. We hope to see old Lakkundi coins and inscriptions which will show us the path to further inscriptions. This time, we hope to find temples and wells belonging to Rashtrakutas, Kalyani Chalukyas and Hoysala dynasties.' How excavation started Minister HK Patil has a big hand in the excavation which started in November. He first convinced all villagers by writing out Lakkundi's brief history and pamphlets were printed and distributed to villagers. Patil appealed to the people to support the excavation, and the villagers gave the ASI team good support.
Indian Express
5 days ago
- General
- Indian Express
Ancient Jain caves in Telangana's Anantagiri face neglect, archaeologist calls for their protection
cluster of fifteen 9th-century rock-cut Jain caves at Telangana's Anantagiri, a popular hill station in the Vikarabad district, about 100km from the state capital Hyderabad, is in urgent need of protection and conservation, according to senior archaeologist Dr E Sivanagireddy. He inspected the site Saturday and highlighted the precarious state of these 1,100-year-old historical treasures. The caves, which are square and rectangular in plan, vary in size from 2 to 6 metres in length, 2 to 3 metres in width, and 2.5 metres in depth, with openings that face east. Dr Reddy confirmed their Jain affiliation, noting they were likely excavated to provide shelter for Jain ascetics during the rainy season and to observe the Sallekhana vrata (fast unto death). 'Out of the 15 caves, only six remain intact, with the others suffering damage while widening a pathway leading to the origin point of the Musi river. Evidence of their Jain heritage includes rock-cut beds on the cave floors, niches in the walls for lamps, and a mutilated Jain statue seated in artha paryankasana,' he said. Dr Sivanagireddy has appealed to the authorities of the Ananta Padmanabha Swamy temple and the Vikarabad Municipality to take immediate steps for the preservation of these significant historical sites. His recommendations include removing the whitewash coating from the cave walls, improving accessibility with proper pathways, creating a clear 'free belt' around the caves, and installing signage detailing their historical and religious importance. Such measures, he stressed, are crucial to safeguard these caves for future generations. Dr Padmanabham, chairman of the temple, has reportedly assured Dr Reddy of his support in this endeavour. Heritage activists D R Syamsundar Rao, B Venkatareddy, B Sai Kiran Reddy, and Ellayya were also part of the exploration team. Dr Sivanagireddy said such rock-cut caves are found in four more locations across the state, and all belong to the Rashtrakuta period and similarly deserve attention and protection. 'There are similar caves at Yellakonda near Nawabpet on the outskirts of Hyderabad. Such caves are also noticed at Akalayagutta, Padmakshigutta, and Mugilicherla on the outskirts of Warangal,' he added.
Time of India
26-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Rare Satavahana, Neolithic artefacts discovered in Kondapaka
Hyderabad: Members of the Kotha Telangana Charitra Brundam have unearthed three Neolithic stone axes and a rare terracotta torso from the Satavahana period at the Patigadda mound in Kondapaka village in Siddipet district. The terracotta figure, believed to represent a royal figure wearing a breastplate, offers a rare glimpse into early Telangana's material culture. These latest finds add to a growing list of discoveries from the same site, which has previously yielded colourful glass beads, a carved ivory dice, a double-edged Neolithic axe, terracotta figurine fragments, and iron slag—indicating the site's long-standing archaeological significance. Call for scientific excavation Sriramoju Haragopal, convenor of the Brundam, siad that the mound is part of a larger historical landscape, with layers spanning the prehistoric era to the Rashtrakuta and Kakatiya periods. "These discoveries are not isolated. They suggest an uninterrupted human presence and an evolving cultural footprint over several centuries," he said. Haragopal urged the Telangana heritage department to initiate a comprehensive and scientific excavation. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Alerta: Você tem zumbido no ouvido? Dica de ouro pode aliviar! Zumbido no ouvido Undo "Without immediate and systematic intervention, the archaeological wealth of Kondapaka risks being lost or scattered. The site holds crucial evidence of Telangana's deep and layered past, and must be preserved through expert exploration," he added. The Brundam emphasised that such grassroots discoveries should shape official heritage conservation strategies, especially in archaeologically rich zones like Siddipet.
Time of India
26-04-2025
- Science
- Time of India
This is India's only meteor-created marvel hidden in plain sight
Nestled in the heart of Maharashtra's Buldhana district lies a geological wonder that truly sets itself apart from many natural wonders of India. Lonar Lake—this wonder is India's only hyper-velocity meteorite impact crater, located in basaltic rock, formed around 52,000 years ago. This is truly astonishing. The lake's origin and mysterious characteristics have fascinated scientists, travelers, and nature lovers alike. If you're curious about how it formed, read on. A cosmic creation: Once, a meteor weighing about two million tons struck the Earth at an incredibly high speed. The impact was so huge and powerful that it left behind a large crater over 1.8 km wide and 250 meters deep. Shocking, right? With time, water accumulated in the crater, creating an interesting lake that maintains a lot of its original characteristics. What's special about Lonar Lake is that it's among only four such impact craters in basaltic rock found anywhere globally. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo One of the most intriguing aspects of the lake is its dual water composition. The lake contains both saline (salty) and alkaline (basic) water, supporting unique forms of microbes and algae that are not found anywhere else. Due to this unusual combination, the water sometimes turns green or pink, particularly when certain microbes multiply in huge quantities. This color shift draws photographers and researchers alike, all wanting to see nature's paintbox in action. Read more: Beyond Shimla & Ooty: 5 stunning hill stations in India you're missing out on! Cultural importance: The lake is ringed by a few ancient temples and ruins, some belonging to the Chalukya and Rashtrakuta eras. Temples such as the Daitya Sudan Temple, constructed in commemoration of Lord Vishnu, bear testimony to a rich cultural heritage that integrates with the lake's natural wonder. These ancient buildings, albeit weathered, lend spiritual elegance to the scientific wonder. A nature's marvel worth exploring: Today, Lonar Lake is a protected site under Maharashtra Tourism and a hotspot for ecotourism. Whether you're a science enthusiast, a history buff, or someone simply seeking a quiet and unusual travel destination, Lonar Lake offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience, where the sky once fell, and nature turned it into art. Read more: What to do if you lose your passports in foreign land Over the years, Lonar Lake has not remained a tourist attraction, but it is a site of serious scientific study. Many researchers from NASA, the Geological Survey of India, and various Indian universities have examined this lake's minerals and magnetic properties, which has only added more to the lake's aura of mystery.
