Ancient twin caves discovered in Nalgonda

T. Karnakar Reddy
NALGOND A: , SEPTEMBER 12, 2015 0 1:34 IST

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The twin caves which were discovered at Gajubeda village in Nalgonda district . Photo : Singam Venkataramana

It is arguably the oldest in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

In a significant discovery, the Department of Archaeology and Museums has come across naturally formed ancient twin caves which pre-
historic man could have made his habitation in Nalgonda district of Telangana on Thursday. According to experts in the Department of
Archaeology, the 200-metre-deep caves, a rare find, are probably the oldest-ever discovered in both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

Local tribal leaders Lalu Nayak and Bikku Nayak informed archaeology officials about the caves at Gajubeda Tanda, a hamlet under
Kacharajupally grama panchayat in Chandampet mandal. The place is just a couple of km from Nagarjunasagar backwaters and very close
to Dindi rivulet.
Assistant Director at Archaeology and Museums P. Nagaraju told The Hindu that as of now they have found no archaeological evidences
like paintings inside the cave.
The twin caves have 15-metre radius at the entry point but the size narrows down. One of the twin caves is 50 feet deep and the other 200
metres.
He had discussed the find with many experts who confirmed they had never found such massive naturally formed caves in the past.
However, he observed that it needed to be studied further by experts. The Assistant Director along with District Tourism Officer M.
Shivaji and K. Narasimhulu and others visited the place.
Tourism potential
Mr. Shivaji said that the place could be developed into a great adventure tourism spot. Since it was located very close to Nagarjunasagar,
Krishna and Dindi rivers, the Tourism officer said they would include these caves in the proposed Devarakonda, Chandampet tourism
circuit.
Ph.D. THESES: DEPARTMENT OF ARCHAEOLOGY - jstor
https://www.jstor.org/stable/42931360

Cultural History from the Vayu-Purana. Archaeology of the Deccan. Prehistory and Early.
Historic Bellary. The Cult of Vithoba. The History of Jaina Monachism ... S.N. Rao. M.L.K.
Murty. M.S. NagarajaRao. Ahmed Nisar. R.S. Pappu. Stone Age Cultures of Orissa.
Geometrical Approach to. Prehistoric and Ancient.

Pervaram Releases ‘Telangana a Classic, Cultural & Khazana’

 Posted by Editor
Date: May 16, 2015

Hyderabad, May 16 (Telemedia) : The founder & convener of Telangana Cultural Forum Dr.Kondal Rao Velchala today presented a book titled ‘Telangana a
Classic, Cultural & Khazana’ to the Chairman of Telangana State Tourism Development Corporation (TSTDC) Pervaram Ramulu. Dr.Kondal Rao Velchala, while
briefing the contents of the book informed that it as the essence of Deccan in General, Hyderabad in Nizam State, Formation of Hyderabad State, Formation of
Andhra Pradesh, need for Telangana State and in specific struggle for 14 years of Telangana State. Poetries of Harindra Nath, Quli Qutub Shah, and Sarojini
Devi’s have added its rich cultural of Telangana. The Founder & Convener also informed that there would be more upsurge poems in the book. There were 100
elite members behind the work done for bringing the essence of the book, including the personalities of Judges, Professors, Advocates & Doctors and the
Chairman, TSTDC he himself being a member of the forum contributed a lot.

Major archaeological find in Nalgonda

T. Karnakar Reddy
NALGOND A: , JANU ARY 08, 2015 01:07 IST

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 Relic casket is believed to be that of a Buddhist monk or an important disciple. According to their observation, the
Deputy Director has said the Stupa, in which the relic casket was found, was renovated thrice -- during the Mauryan,
Satavahana and Ikshvaku periods.
The Department of Archaeology and Museums officials found the relic casket of a chief monk or an important person of Buddhism during
the excavation of the Phanigiri Monastic Buddhist site in Nalgonda district on Tuesday.

Speaking to The Hindu, Deputy Director J. Vijay Kumar said that they had been excavating the site since last February under the guidance
of Director B. Srinivas.

During the excavation they found a Mahastupa in which they found the relic casket. A valuable dull red ware earthen pot with silver
container consisting of 11 miniatures beads, three silver and three thin flower petals were discovered at the north eastern corner of the
Mahastupa at base of drum portion.

He said the Mahastupas are called Sariraka Stupa (buried bodily remains of the Buddha), Paribhogika stupa (buried belongings of Lord
Buddha and Uddeshika Stupa, but they identified it as Phari Bogika Stupa since they found belongings of the Buddha.
Mr. Vijay Kumar said after the death of Buddha his remains were kept at eight places in stupas in the world by his disciples, but the
Mauryan Emperor Ashoka, who embraced Buddhism after the great Kalinga war in 3rd century BC, had removed the relics and believed
to have kept the remains at 84,000 places in the world to spread Buddhism across the globe.
Highlighting the importance of finding the relic casket, Mr.Vijay Kumar said in undivided Andhra Pradesh, archaeologists had found the
relic caskets only at two places one at Nagarjunasagar and another at Bojjannakonda, another Buddhist site about 45 km from
Vishakhapatnam.
According to their observation, the Deputy Director has said the Stupa, in which the relic casket was found, was renovated thrice -- during
the Mauryan, Satavahana and Ikshvaku periods.
The fall of Buddhism in Phanigiri had started during the Vishnukundins period, but surprisingly the relic casket remained intact.

Wargal wows rock art lovers

THE HANS INDIA | Jan 15,2016 , 01:02 AM IST
Glory of prehistoric period reflects in the rock paintings in the small temple
town, throwing light on the rich wildlife and tradition of Stone Age
Wargal (Medak): One of those marvels left behind by the history for the
posterity - rock arts - seem to continue to be the delight of archeological experts
and young students. Historians from Telangana are busy deciphering the ancient
paintings at the rock shelters here at Wargal in Medak
district.

These rock paintings found in parts of the State show the love humans had for
art and nature as long ago as 10,000 BCE. They provide ample evidence that a
large number of wild animals were present in the State centuries
ago. Shambhuni Gutta (Shambu’s Hill), beside the famous Saraswathi temple
here has already emerged as a great spot for explorations relating to the
prehistoric life.

The roofs of the caves in the hill have red pictures. The archeological
department found some of these paintings. But a lot of them are yet to be
explored further. Two archeological experts - Ramoju Haragopal and Srinvas –
with their assistant Chanti tried to decode the message that had been hidden in
the form of art.

They found a painting of a creature that looked like a crane and three persons at
the southern side of the cave. Among the three, one is a female. The depiction
resembles the paintings found at Asthalapur in Medak district. Most of the
paintings found on the roof look like scripts. The circles and semi-circles of this
script seemed to be difficult to interpret. Letters that sound ‘Ya’,
 ‘ka’,’tha’,’ga’ of Brahmi script along with letters of early Telugu are seen
on these walls.
Different paintings depicting the culture and traditions of that time on a huge rock canvass of 12 feet height and 25 feet length can be found on the eastern side of the hill. More
than 20 paintings of oxen, cows with udders, pigs, and a man hunting a tiger are seen on this portrait. Another man’s painting is unclear. All these paintings are of great skill and
are in colour and without colour.

An anthropomorphic drawing resembling the depictions at Neeladri rock art found in Khammam district is also seen here. The drawings of animals like deer, stags, and tools
denote that the scenery belonged to the medieval period. According to the observations of historians, the period of the paintings were spanning from medieval stone age to
megalithic age. Central India is the richest zone of prehistoric rock art in India.

The highest concentration of rock art sites is situated in the Satpura, Vindhya and Kaimur Hills. These hills are formed of sandstones, which weather relatively faster to form
rock shelters and caves. They are located in the dense forest and were ecologically ideal for occupation by primitives. They were used for habitation in the Stone Age and even
in the later periods. Inside the caves on the walls and ceilings, artists painted their favourite animals or human forms, symbols, daily life hunting and fighting.

TELANGANA

2,000 years of history still lies unexplored

R. Avadhani
KOT AGADD A (MED AK DIST RICT):, FEBRU ARY 10, 2015 03:36 IST

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Archaeological findings which came to light during excavation in 2009-11 at Kotagadda in Kondapur mandal of Medak district.Photo: Mohd. Arif

MORE-IN

Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) gives up exploration midway and the Centre too has not released funds.
Fund crunch and gross indifference have put paid to the development of a prospective tourist spot.
 The archaeological findings at Kotagadda in Kondapur mandal of Medak district can be as important as the remnants of Hampi in
Karnataka.

But the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has given up exploration midway and the Centre too has not released funds, resulting in a
potential tourist site being left untapped.

Exploration of the 100 acres identified and protected by the ASI can throw light on 2,000 years of Satavahana history, it is believed.
Excavation was taken up by the ASI during 2009-11 in about two to three acres, instead of the entire stretch, under the guidance of Dr. G.
Mahewari. But the work could not be completed as the Centre did not release funds.
Located at about 20 kilometres from the district headquarters town of Sangareddy and 70 kilometres from Hyderabad, the site is adjacent
to a huge tank spread over 50 acres on the outskirts of the mandal headquarters.

The site has a striking resemblance to Hampi ruins of the Vijayanagaram empire and can attract large number of tourists if properly
developed, it is said.
The already excavated area is covered with plastic, cloths and sand, with bushes growing all over. Covering of the excavated areas is part
of protection measures, officials say. A circular structure with rectangular chambers all around, a huge fire altar and an apsidal structure
along with square/ rectangular chambers were found at the site during the recent excavation. The antiquarian remains include a Lajja
Gouri plaque, coins of various metals such as led, copper and silver, beads of terracotta, glass, shell, paste and semi-precious stones,
human and animal figurines in kaolin and terracotta, iron implements, bone objects and terracotta sealing with Brahmi inscriptions,
according to a report prepared by the ASI on Kondapur.

“On the basis of excavated findings - inscribed led and copper coins of Gutamiputra Satakarni, Sri Satakarni and Sri Pulamavi, Roman
Arretine ware, roulette ware, glass vessels akin to that of Arikmedu and Ter, Roman coins, inscribed sealing – the settlement at Kondapur
can be assigned a time bracket datable to 2nd century BC to 1st century AD,” the report says.
This area needs urgent attention from the authorities as well as the Union Government for speedy excavation activities.
India’s largest capstone discovered in Telangana
Archaeological Survey of India excavates artefacts
By Surbhi Kapila Posted On : March 27, 2017 in Freestyle , New Delhi

Archaeologists in Telangana have unearthed some artefacts at an ancient human burial site. The findings could lead to tracing of human habits from prehistoric
times.

India’s largest capstone was discovered in the southern Indian state of Telangana. The officials who were excavating an ancient human burial site in the state’s Siddipet district found it during
the process.

“The ancient human burial site excavated by Telangana Archaeology in Narmeta village in Nangunuru mandal has led to a stunning discovery of the India’s largest capstone,” informed D
Ramulu Naik, Assistant Director, Archaeology Department.

The massive capstone is being planned to be lifted with coordinated efforts by SS Rangacharyulu, archaeology consultant and K Padmanabha, assistant director (museums). On March 21, the
40 tonne capstone was excavated at the site in Narmeta village. A crane was used to remove the stone – 6.70 metre long and 4 metre wide – in a four-hour operation, Indian media reported.

The archaeology department will soon undertake DNA testing of various artefacts that have been discovered at this site, which will help in tracing the lineage of prehistoric humans, their food
habits, lifestyle and how their population later became extinct, the officials said.

Officials have found at least 50 megalith burial sites, which have been classified as Menhir, Cairns and Dolmens. Scientists said that capstones were used to protect corpses from predators as
prehistoric people believed that the soul continues to live even after death.
 This is, however, not the first time that an artefact has been discovered in the state. Last year, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) discovered nearly 3,000 artefacts at the Keezhadi Pallai
Sandhaipudur village in Sivaganga district of Tamil Nadu during an excavation. A signet made of clay with ornamental designs was among them.

ASI officials also spoke of the ancient settlement at the village, which was on a highway travelled by traders from all over the world. According to experts, the village had a drainage system that
was at par with the system during the Harappan civilisation, thus, indicating more on the functionality of people from that time.

Inscription on the last Jain temple in Telangana found

Suresh Krishnamoorthy
HYDE RABAD:, JU NE 17, 2016 00:00 IST

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Piece of history:The stone inscription found in Mallaram village of Karimnagar district.– Photo: By arrangement
 A three-faced stone inscription examined by a historian, Dyaavanapalli Satyanarayana, in Mallaram of Malhar mandal in Karimnagar
district appears to indicate that it was indeed the last Jain temple in the region, also pointing out the patronage of the religion, 850 years
ago.
When deciphered, the inscription in Sanskrit and Telugu languages narrate how a temple for the 24th Jain Thirthankara, Sri Vardhamana
Mahaveera, was constructed by one Manikya Setti and also how the revenues of an entire village called Muppayapalli was donated by
Bhaktula Pochenayudu for its maintenance.

Interestingly, farmers of Mallaram found the stone as they were clearing shrubs to reclaim land, eight years ago. More recently, Chepyala
Madhusudhan Rao, an elder in the village, brought it to the notice of the historian and thus its importance was recognised. Mr.
Satyanarayana said he had corroborated its contents with facts in contemporary historical texts and thought it fit to reveal the findings.

The inscriptions have several contexts in the chronicles of the history of Telangana, says the historian. It is the last inscription discovered
thus far, throwing light on the construction of a Jain temple in Telangana. Then it demarcates a line for the disappearance of Jainism and
being replaced by a new religious sect called ‘Veera Saivism’ here. Also, it indicates the predominance of the Setti community (Komati
today) among the Jains in those days.
Mention of a lady, Giri Devasani, in the inscription indicates the value that was given to women in those days. She is said to have
succeeded her father Doddalasiddhi Setti as the chief priest of the Parshavanatha temple, whose sculpture is found, apart from the
Kakatiya symbols of the ox and the sun-moon on all four sides of the stone. The mention of the lady, Dr. Satyanarayana said, revealed that
women in the Jain faith held high position in their society.

An aerial view of Buddhavanam, the Buddhist heritage theme park, at Nagarjunasagar. The theme park is the first of its kind in the country and depicts major events in the life of Buddha.

Hyderabad: Fresh evidence has been found that Buddhism flourished in Telangana state in ancient times, at remote village of Badankurthi on the banks of the Godavari near Khanapur in
Nirmal district. Asked about the findings at Badankurthi, Mr P. Nagaraju, assistant director, department of archaeology and museums, said excavation was yet to be taken up but a brick
alignment threw light on the Buddhist links of the site. “A temple was constructed atop the brick alignment dating back to Satavahana and Ishkvaku times,” he said.

New research indicates that the the sage Bavari, who was at Badankurthi, had heard of the Buddha and deputed 16 of his discip les to hear his teachings. At that time, Buddha was said to be
preaching at Venuvana in Vaishali. The disciples were identified from historical evidence as namely Ajita, Metta, Punnaka, Me ttagu, Upasiva, Nanda, Dhotaka, Hemaka, Todayya, Kappa,
Jatukarni, Udaya, Bhadravudha, Posala, Megharaja and Pingiya to Magadha.

The disciples went from Badankurthi to Mulaka in Maharashtra and reached Vaishali in Bihar via Mahismathi, Ujjaini and Vidisha in Madhya Pradesh and Kosambi and Saketapura in UP. State
archaeologists say Buddhism flourished between the 1st Century and 4th Century BCE in several places in what are now Karimnagar, Suryapet, Nalgonda and Khammam districts. This apart,
there are several sites in which is now Andhra Pradesh, at Jaggaiahpet in Krishna district, the ancient Amaravati in Guntur district and near Visakhapatnam.

“We have found evidence of pre-Satavahana coins at Kotilingala which date back to the 1st Century BCE. The kings of those times promoted Buddhism,” said Mr Nagaraju. According to
another study, after Buddha’s Mahaparinirvanam, the present day Bodhan in Nizamabad district, which was the capital of the King Asmaka of the erstwhile Podali kingdom, also converted to
Buddhism.
 “Buddhism flourished in many of parts of Telugu States for a long time. We are gathering evidence in many places including Badankurthi. Badankurthi is mentioned in some books. We are
studying it and will develop the place,” said Mr Mallepally Laxmaiah, special officer of the Buddhavanam Project. Kotilingala , the capital of the Satavahanas, remains a cornerstone in Buddhist
history even today. Excavations carried out between 1979 to 1984 had unravelled Srimukha Satavahana’s currency, remains of we lls, drainage system, brick construction, Roman coins,
indicating that it was a centre for trade and commerce.

Apart from Kotilingala, evidence of Buddhist links have been found at Dharmapuri, Dulikatta, Peddabankuru and Dhoolikatta in Karimnagar district; Phanigiri, Gajula Banda, Tirumalgiri
Vardhamanakota, Chada, Tirumalagiri, Nagaram and Singaram in Suryapet district and Nagarjunakonda (Sriparvatam) in Nalgonda district and Nelakondapalli in Khammam.

Telangana Tourism’s Helicopter Ride

May 31, 2017 Clare 0 Comments
Don’t helicopters fascinate you? The thought of flying over a city overlooking the people and all its attractions while you are near the clouds is exciting to say the least!

The Telangana tourism department, in a bid to entertain summer visitors and enhance its tourism prospects, launched a helicopter joyride service that caters to people in the wake of summer holidays. This ten-
minute joyride starts from Necklace Road on the banks of Hussain Sagar lake.

http://www.telanganatourism.gov.in/assets/images/about/history-of-
telangana/historyHero1.jpg
Operated by Indwell Aviation, a private aviation company, this joyride provides a view of the famous Hyderabad city from a height covering destinations like:

 Tank Bund with Buddha Statue

 Lumbini Park

 High Court
 Birla Mandir
 NTR Garden

 Mecca Masjid
 Snow World

 Osmania Hospital

 Charminar
 IMAX, Sanjeevaiah Park
Providing visitors with a breathtaking view from a height of over 1500 feet, it brought together people people from all walks of life and promoted the heritage and architectural marvels of the city.

Hyderabad is in the limelight for being one of the best Indian cities for today’s professionals especially for those working in the IT sector. It will now work towards building its brand name as a sought-after tourist
destination for people all over the globe. The dates are announced beforehand, the last one being held in early May. This joyride has to be booked in prior by contacting the organisers, and comes at a highly
reasonable price and is accessible to all.

This was an exciting and gripping method to invite more and more visitors to the cosmopolitan city with a rich blend of culture, history, modernization and hospitality. With the advent of helicopters, the tourism
revenue of this newly formed state is likely to multiply manifold. Telangana Tourism has tied up with a private firm Indwell Aviation Pvt Limited for imparting this spectacular service to the general public.

Charminar is not in Telangana for

Archaeological Survey of India
DECCAN CHRONICLE.
PublishedDec 19, 2016, 1:41 am IST
UpdatedDec 19, 2016, 7:14 am IST

The newly formed Telangana State does not exist in the ASI records though the State
was bifurcated two and a half years back.
Map of Telangana. (Representational Photo)

Hyderabad: In which State is Golconda and Charminar? No guessing, it is Telangana State. But for Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the two along with others which were in undivided
Andhra Pradesh, continue to be depicted in AP.

In fact, the newly formed Telangana State does not exist in the ASI records though the State was bifurcated two and a half years back.

A senior ASI official was stumped at the faux pas in the organisation’s official website but asserted ASI will change it. “Probably it’s under process. It has to be changed and it will be changed.
Charminar, Golconda and other Telangana monuments have to be shown there,” he added.

A notification was issued by ASI in June establishing a new circle in AP with its headquarters in Amaravati, bifurcating its Hyderabad circle for better maintenance of Centrally protected
monuments, arch-aeological sites and remains at Anantapur, Chittoor, Kadapa, Gun-tur, East Godavari, Kri-shna, Kurnool, Nellore prakasam, Srikakulam, Visakhapatnam and Vizianagaram.

Megalith from 5000 bc found in telangana

P Pavan| TNN | Oct 24, 2016, 16:10 IST

The megaliths were found in Mudumal

HYDERABAD: In a significant discovery, historians and archeologists have found what they describe as the only megalithic site in India, where a depiction of star constellation
has been identified. The site was discovered in Mudumalvillage in Telangana and is estimated to date back to 5000 BC.

No other site in India has so many menhirs concentrated at one place, claim the historians and archeologists who also believe that this is "undoubtedly the earliest astronomical
observatory found in India or even south Asia".
A cup-mark depiction of Ursa Major was noticed on a squarish stone planted vertically. About 30 cup-marks were arranged in a pattern similar to the appearance of Ursa Major in
the sky. Not only the prominent seven stars, but also the peripheral groups of stars are depicted on the menhirs.

Mudumal contains about 80 big menhirs as tall as 12 to 14 feet, and about 2000 alignment stones of about 1-2 feet high. These menhirs, alignments and stone circles are spread out
in about 80 acres of land. The central portion contains the maximum concentration of Menhirs, explains Dr. K Pulla Rao, who has been researching the site for over 11 years. A
team of archeologists from Korea will be visiting the site in December, according to the officials of the Telangana Archeology Department.

State archeology director Visalakshi inspected the site on Saturday and directed the officials to fence the area that has not been protected so far.

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