The thrill of archaeological excavations lies in the unexpected treasures they reveal. Among the most captivating finds are ancient structures that offer a peek into civilisations long gone. Archaeologists from the Public Research Institute of History, Archaeology, and Heritage (PRIHAH) have discovered two such temples from the Badami Chalukyan period, along with rare inscriptions that promise to unlock a wealth of knowledge about the region's rich cultural past. The temples were found along the banks of the Krishna River in Mudimanikyam village, Telangana.
The team said the ancient temples feature unique architectural designs that incorporate both Kadamba Nagara and Badami Chalukyan styles. For instance, a pyramid-shaped shikara with rising steps, topped by a pinnacle kalasha. These temples are believed to be at least 1,300 years old. According to reports, there is an inscription on a pillar in a cluster of five temples that is believed to date back to the 8th or 9th Century AD during the Badami Chalukya era. The label bears the intriguing term "Gandaloranru." Dr Munirathnam Reddy, Director of Epigraphy at the Archaeological Survey of India, suggests that the initial letters "Ganda" in Kannada could indicate 'hero' and possibly imply a heroic title.
A panavattam, which is a Shiva lingam base, has also been discovered in the sanctum sanctorum of one temple. Another temple revealed an idol of Vishnu. The discovery is significant as per experts, as it will provide further insights into the religious customs of the Badami Chalukyan era.
There have been several intriguing excavations over the past few months. Archaeologists excavating an ancient site in Kerman province in southeastern Iran found a tube of red lipstick in a looted gravesite in the Jiroft region in 2001. Recent radiocarbon dating has revealed that the cosmetic artefact was made between 1936 and 1687 B.C., making it the earliest reported lipstick. Read more about it here.
