Treasure hunt leads to jackpot in AP

Patancheru, classified as the most polluted industrial area in Asia, is in news for a very different reason this time. Unknown treasure hunters found a 13th century idol of deity Anantapadmanabha in black granite while digging a dried up Giddagunta tank in the industrial town on the outskirts of Hyderabad also known for its Jain heritage .

According to sources, some unidentified persons were removing mud from the tank illegally during nights for the past few days. On Saturday night, the miscreants stumbled upon the idols while digging. They kept the idols at a nearby place and continued with their search for gold and other valuables. When the villagers went to the site, the unidentified persons fled the place. The villagers informed the officials and the media about the discovery of idols. The tahsildar said that action would be taken to preserve the idols.

“The unidentified persons have been making searches for treasure in the locality for some days during nights. Initially, we thought that some farmers were removing silt from the tank as monsoon is on the anvil. We got suspicious and found that the miscreants were digging for a treasure,” the villagers said, who washed the idols of Anantapadmanabha and Lord Vishnu and  started offering puja to the idols after setting them up on the banks.

A group of Archaeology Department officials that arrived in Patancheru on Monday opined that these statues might belong to 12th or 13th century during the late Kakatiya period.

“Anantapadmanabha statue is five-foot height and three-foot width in black granite. We are trying to find out whether we can have any surface findings in this regard,” Brahmachari, Additional Director of the Archaeology Department told reporters.

Along with the Padamnabha, an idol of Lord Vishnua with 'Shankhu' and 'Chakra', was also found at the same place. It is about three foot in length. Similarly, the remains of two pillars of a temple were also traced there. Brahmachari said that the department would be in a position to come to a conclusion only after further research on the idols and other material.

As independent kings, the Kakatiyas ruled the Deccan for nearly two hundred years in the 12th and 13th century with architectural works mainly concentrated around Warangal. Locally available granite and sandstone were used for the main structures. The Thousand Pillar Temple at Hanamkonda was erected in 1163 by Kakatiya king Rudradeva. Three shrines in this temple are dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu and Surya.