Bengaluru

Hosakerehalli Lake throws up a historic surprise during clean-up

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BENGALURU: Workers removing silt and weeds from Hosakerehalli Lake in J P Nagar had a surprise find on Monday when they unearthed a stone structure. Work was under way as part of a lake rejuvenation project.

The stone structure has four pillars and a roof. Workers dug around 10 feet deep to unearth the entire structure.

Residents soon gathered at the lake to catch a glimpse of the structure. A few said the structure may be at least 400 years old and may have been built to measure the water levels in the lake.

Nagendra Gowda, a resident, said, “In the past decade, the lake has become covered with weed and silt. We have heard stories that a structure was built in the lake to measure its water level. Earlier, Hosakerehalli Lake was a popular fishing spot.”

R Ramesh, an activist who has been vocal about lake protection and rejuvenation, said, “I have heard stories about public coming here to offer Bhagina during monsoon. The mantap weighs around 15-20 tonnes. People called it Gangammana Thottilu.”

Officials of the archaeology department are expected to visit the spot on Wednesday. R Gopal, director of the department of Archaeology, Museums and Heritage, said, “I was in Mysuru for a workshop when I got
to know about it. We will excavate and submit a report about the findings.”

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