Ancient idol of Adishesha found in Jangaon village
Jangaon: An idol of Adishesha, also known as Sheshanaga, sculpted on a stone pillar was found at Obulkeshavapur village of Jangaon mandal in the district recently. Since the idol is believed to date back to the 10th or 11th century, the finding has gained historical and archaeological significance. Speaking to Telangana Today, noted historian and […]
Jangaon: An idol of Adishesha, also known as Sheshanaga, sculpted on a stone pillar was found at Obulkeshavapur village of Jangaon mandal in the district recently. Since the idol is believed to date back to the 10th or 11th century, the finding has gained historical and archaeological significance.
Speaking to Telangana Today, noted historian and archaeology buff Reddy Rathnakar Reddy said he found the idol of Adishesha, who is the ‘Nagaraja’ or King of all Nāgas, on the tank bund of Obulkeshapur village along with a Chalukya inscription – a sculpture of a Naga Veerudu (Naga warrior).
“The locals worship Adishesha idol believing that it protects the pond and the village and also increases fertility among women,” he said, adding that Adishesha is also called Vasuki or Anantha Sheshu. “I suspect that this idol of Adishesha was set up during the rule of Chalukyas. Worshipping snakes is a common practice or tradition in Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism,” Reddy added.
“This area, where I stumbled upon the idol of Adishesha, was covered with forest thousands of years ago. I believe it was a habitat of snakes. I think the rulers of that time may have set up the idol of Adishesha to curb killing of snakes by humans,” Reddy said, adding that to his right was his daughter Sulochana and on his left wife Shirsha were sculpted on the stone pillar. Reddy urged the archaeology department to take steps to protect these sculptures for the benefit of researchers.
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