Ancient statue of Lord Vishnu unearthed from a stream in Bhupalpally

An ancient five-foot granite statue of Lord Vishnu was unearthed from the Peddavaagu stream near Madaram village in Bhupalpally district. Believed to date back to the Kakatiya era, the intricately carved idol has sparked local curiosity. Archaeological authorities are yet to examine it

Bhupalpally: An ancient stone statue of Lord Vishnu was unearthed from the Peddavaagu stream near Madaram village in Mahamutharam of the district, invoking curiosity among the locals.

The sculpture, beautifully carved from monolithic black granite stone displayed craftsmanship of the sculptors. The idol was said to be nearly five feet tall and most of it intact, while the nose and fingers of the idol were partially damaged allegedly by fortune hunters.

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According to locals they spotted the head portion of the idol in the sand three years ago when water in the stream receded, but no one tried to remove it and it remained buried in the sand.

Recently, the statue again surfaced with water receding in the stream. After videos of the idol in the sand went viral on social media; a man from Hyderabad came and pulled it out with the help of residents from Chintakani and Jaggaiahpalli villages.

Jaggaiahpalli residents insisted that they would take the statue to their village while a farmer of Madaram village came forward to donate the land to build a temple locally as it was found near his field.

Though the origins of the statue were not yet established, it was believed to be of Kakatiya era. Some believe that it could be a Chennakesava Swamy statue given the carvings of the hands, crown and decorations. The Archaeological Department is yet to scientifically examine it and submit a report.