13th century sculptures found at Anigandlapadu village

Vijayawada: Two sculptures of Ganesha and Mahishasura Mardhini traced to the 13th Century AD were found at the Shivalayam of Anigandlapadu village in Kanchikacharla mandal in Krishna district during the renovation of the temple which was taken up recently.

Based on the information given by Gondi Suresh of Chilukuru village, Dr E Sivanagireddy, Archaeologist and CEO, Cultural Centre of Vijayawada and Amaravathi (CCVA) examined the sculptures on Sunday as part the awareness programme called 'Preserve Heritage for Posterity'.

Later, speaking to the media, he said that both the sculptures represent the Kakatiya style of art and Ganesha, who is seated in the Lalitasana posture holds Danta and Laddu in his lower hands and Parasu and Ankush in the upper hands was devoid of a head gear.

Furthermore, he said the Goddess Kanaka Durga in the aspect of Mahishamardhini, killing the demon standing in Alidhasana. The eight-armed goddess holds different weapons in different hands and is seen wearing all the ornaments.

Dr Reddy also noticed three inscriptions dated 1194 AD and and 1209 AD recording the gift of land to God Pandishwara by certain Ketinayakudu and Mahamandaleshwara Kesava Raju ruling from Evanikandravati (present day Emani village near Duggirala in Guntur district) to Gods Mulasthana Mallikarjuna and Gokeswara. This evidently proves that the sculptures were part of the subsidiary shrines of the Temple complex.

Dr Sivanagireddy appealed to the villagers as well as the Central and State governments to take appropriate measures and preserve the sculptures by providing them shelter from blazing Sun and the torrential rains.

He said that these sculptures form a rich source of our cultural heritage which should be preserved and protected for posterity. Golla Nararayanarao, president, Andhra Arts Akademy, Ghanta Vijaya Kumar, journalist and writer and Subhakar Medasani, president, AP Society for Preservation of Buddhist Heritage were present on the occasion.