Ancient heroes' stone memorials found near Kolanpak

Hyderabad: Archaeologists found rare “Veeragal” stone memorials installed in ancient times for persons making supreme sacrifices, Nag and Naga Devatha (snake and snake gods) and lingams in Kolanpak area.

The 40-odd stone sculptures dating back to the period from 8th Century to 14th Century were found in a radius of 8 km from the famed Kolanpak Jain, Shiva and other temples in Aler mandal of Nalgonda district.

Kolanpak is located 80 km from Hyderabad city. Some of the sculptures made of white granite were three metres tall and a metre in width and weighed about a tonne. In all, four idols weighed about a ton each while others were of lesser size and weight.

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Mr P. Nagaraju, assistant director, department of archaeology and museums, on the instructions of department director N.R Visalatchy, conducted the exploration after a couple of idols were found some time back. He told this newspaper that the sculptures were in good condition and is being moved to the Kolanpak Museum.

A 75-year-old devotee of Lord Shiva, Yella Reddy, a resident of Sainikpuri, who heard about the sculptures, came forward to bear the entire cost of exploration and transportation of idols to the museum. It cost about Rs 30,000.

“These sculptures date back to rulers like Rashtrakutas, Kalyani Chalukyas, Kakatiyas and Kondu Cholas. Veeragals or memorials are installed for supreme sacrifices like some Shaivites dying during penance, others laying down their lives for kings and those laying down lives fighting bandits in the village,” Nagaraju explained.

Archaeologists found several Nag (snake) and Naga Devata (snake god) sculptures. “We also found some Shiva Lingams made of black basalt, nearly one metre in height. They were found near wells. We have already shifted 20 idols to the Kolanpak Museum and the remaining are being ferried,” he added.