Chalukyan temple in 7th century AD discovered

Nija Vaishakh Pournima, Kaliyug Varsha 5112

Guntur (Andhra Pradesh): An ancient Chalukyan temple dating to the 7th century AD has been discovered at Terela village in Durgi mandal, about 10 km from Macherla in Guntur district.

The temple was discovered accidentally by Ruchi Singh, former history department faculty of the University of Hyderabad, who is now working on a project on ‘Heritage and Cultural Tourism in Andhra Pradesh’, supported by the South Zone Cultural Centre, Thanjavur.

Chance discovery

Ms Singh told The Hindu on Saturday that it was a chance discovery when she had gone on research work to the Siddeshwara Swamy temple at Terala along with her husband who is Guntur Range Chief Conservator of Forests Anoop Singh.

The mast or the top portion of the temple, consisting of the ‘garbhagriha’, is the only visible portion and the entire structure is believed to have been buried under earthen mounds. It is currently situated at the centre of a village tank.

Ms. Ruchi Singh said that the temple, known as ‘Ankalamma gudi or Roopalamma gudi’ in local parlance, lies in the Brahmanaidu Cheruvu. The plan of the temple is surprisingly similar to modern temples.

A close look at the architecture of the temple suggests that the sculptors used iron dowels in the joinery of the stones, which was a typical western Chalukyan feature. Director of Archaeology and Museums P. Chenna Reddy confirmed the authenticity of the temple and said that the unique shrine would be protected by his department under the provisions of A.P. Archaeological Remains and Historical Monuments Act-VII of 1960.

Domain of Chalukyas

Professor of History at University of Hyderabad K.P. Rao said that the discovery had revealed that Guntur district was a domain of the early Chalukyas also known as the Western Chalukyas or the Chalukyas of Badami, who ruled from Karnataka.

Source: The Hindu

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