Surya temple at Akaran fits for protection under archaeological values: Experts report

Nalgonda: Archaeologists submitted a report to Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) confirming that ancient Surya temple, located at Akaram village of Shaligowraram mandal in Nalgonda district, has potential to propose for the Central government’s protection as it fulfills the criteria of archaeological values. After Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan tweeted about Surya temple, a team of archaeologists […]

Nalgonda: Archaeologists submitted a report to Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) confirming that ancient Surya temple, located at Akaram village of Shaligowraram mandal in Nalgonda district, has potential to propose for the Central government’s protection as it fulfills the criteria of archaeological values.

After Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan tweeted about Surya temple, a team of archaeologists including archaeological consultant S Rushikesh visited the ancient temple to ascertain the historical importance, nature, present condition of the structure and whether it could be recommended for the Centre’s protection. Based on the architectural, art and inscriptional evidences, the Sun temple would meet all parameters for protection under the existing archaeological norms and the archaeologists team has strongly recommended for the same.

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In the inspection report of the team, interesting historical facts about Surya temple were mentioned underling the need for protection of the temple, which was datable back to the ninth century.

The complete structure of the temple was supported by 18 pillars, which were having a square pedestal. An octagonal moulding was mounted on each pedestal, followed by a square stem and circular moulding on which there is a disc shape moulding. A square abacus, followed by Podiga were mounted on the top.

A stone inscription, which was found at the village, mentioned about the donation of a garden by Unigapura Paramesvara Sinnabbanna of Vinnu Vamsodhbhava probably administering the region under the Chalukyas of Kalyana.

Responding to the representation submitted by the villagers for sanction of funds for restoration of Sun temple, Union Minister for Tourism G Kishan Reddy also sent a communiqué to the village sarpanch saying that their representation was forwarded to the department concerned for appropriate action as per norms.

Speaking to Telangana Today, the village sarpanch Kandala Samaram said that the ancient Surya temple came into limelight after a tweet by the Governor as several officials and travel enthusiasts visited the temple. He requested the government to take measures for the protection of Surya temple at Akaram.