HYDERABAD: Beautiful Jain sculptures of Lord Vardhamana Mahavira and his associate Matanga Yaksha of historical importance were found buried under an anthill, on the outskirts of Pullur village in Siddipet mandal, Siddipet district, by historians and archaeologists on Wednesday.
Dr. E Sivanagireddy, Archaeologist and Buddhist Consultant, has said that the sculptures were datable to the 10th century AD, representing the Vemulawada Chalukyan style. He said that the sculptures were originally housed inside a dilapidated temple located on a mound locally called ‘Girannadibba.’
He, along with the team of history enthusiasts from Kotha Telangana Charithra Brundam, have removed the bushes grown on the sculptures and sensitised the local community on the historical significance of the sculptures and how Jainism had flourished in the early medieval and medieval periods in Siddipet region.
The exploration team has appealed to the villagers to restore the temple, re-install the Jain idols and preserve the Jain heritage of Telangana for posterity.