10th century rare archaeological wonder unearthed in Palnadu area

Vijayawada:  A 10th century CE stone sculpture of a warrior  was unearthed at Buggavagu reservoir near Dharmaram village in Durgi mandal in Guntur district on Saturday. The 1000-year-old sculpture was carved on a local shade stone and the warrior was wearing ornaments by holding a sword and a shield. 

Dr E Sivanagi Reddy, CEO of the Cultural Centre of Vijayawada & Amaravati (CCVA), and his team consisting of Golla Narayana Rao, secretary of  Andhra Arts Academy, Dr Gumma Sambasiva Rao, Vice-Principal, Andhra Loyola College, unearthed the sculpture. As part of the scheme, ‘Preserve Heritage for Posterity’ launched by the CCVA, the team had spotted the sculpture during their exploration of ‘Oti Gullu’ (dilapidated temples) submerged in Buggavagu reservoir.

Sivanagri Reddy said the drapery tied to the warrrior’s waist gives a clue on the contemporary costumes of 10th-11th centuries CE. The team has also identified a 13th century Ganesha idol submerged up to its shoulder level in the reservoir. 

Basing on the historical and archaeological significance of the sculpture, Dr Sivanagi Reddy appealed to the officials of the State Department of Archaeology & Museums to safeguard the sculpture representing the art style of Vengi Chalukya and Velanati Chola times. Chennupati Srinivasa Chary of Nagarjuna Silpasala and Veera Reddy from Macherla also participated in the explorations.