Ancient Idols Found in Krishna River Near Shakti Nagar, Unveiling a Glimpse into Raichur's Historic Past

Raichur: An intriguing discovery has unfolded near Shakti Nagar in Raichur city as ancient idols have emerged from the depths of the Krishna River during the construction of a bridge on the Raichur-Telangana border.

The construction team stumbled upon a remarkable find – an idol portraying the Dasavatar of Lord Krishna and a Linga representing Lord Shiva, both nestled in the Krishna River. Swiftly, the dedicated staff managed to retrieve the sacred artifacts from the riverbed. Upon learning of the discovery, the archaeology department's officials inspected the ancient idols and took charge of its safekeeping.

Historical significance is attached to these relics, suggesting that they might have been submerged in the river during times of temple destruction, possibly to safeguard them from the hands of fanatics. Raichur, once home to numerous royal families, witnessed 163 battles, with the idols strategically placed in the river to shield them from the onslaughts of Bahamani Sultans and Adil Shahis.

Noted historian Padmaja Desai shed light on the findings, speculating that the idols may date back to the 11th-century Kalyana Chalukyas. Desai emphasized the importance of further research to unravel the historical context and significance of these artifacts, hinting at the possibility that they were originally placed in the Garbha Gudi during the reign of Bahumani Sultans.

The stone type identified in the discovery, described as green mixed rock, is indicative of materials used by the Kalyana Chalukyas, further corroborating the potential historicity of the idols. As the archaeology department takes charge, anticipation mounts for a deeper exploration into the cultural and historical tapestry concealed beneath the waters of the Krishna River.