Suryapet: 18 ancient idols unearthed at Munagala

Workers stumble upon sculptures of gods while digging pits for pillars at Hanuman temple

Suryapet: In the biggest such find in Telangana State, about 18 ancient stone idols were discovered by construction workers when they were digging pits for pillars for construction of rooms on the premises of Sri Hanuman Ramalingeswara temple at Munagala in Suryapet district on Sunday.

This is the first time that such a large number of stone idols of gods were found in one site. The discoveries include a three-foot stone idol Sri Lakshminarsimha Swamy, Vaikunta Narayana Swamy, Sita, Rama, Laxmana, Ramanuja Charya, Venugopala Swamy, Alwars and Dwara Palakas.

The unique feature of the temple is that it hosts idols of gods of both Shaiva and Vaishnava sects. As the news about the discovery was spread, people from surrounding villages thronged the temple to see the idols.

Speaking to Telangana Today, Archeologist and Pleach India Foundation founder E Shiva Nagi Reddy said the idols were from the 17th century. During the period, idols of Gods were hidden by the devotees underground to protect them from attacks by some forces. “This is the first time that such a large number of ancient stone idols have been found in Telangana State,” he said.

On getting information from the temple authorities, Munagala police rushed to the place and took up measures for their security. They also informed the matter to the officials of the Archaeology department.

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