An initiative by residents of Gudimetla village of Chandralapadu Mandal in Nandigama helped the Archaeology and Museums Department to discover an ancient Sri Someswara Swamy temple atop a hill abutting the Krishna river.
The other side of the river is Thullur, where the new capital for the State is coming up.
Villagers gave a representation with 150 signatures of the residents requesting the officials to visit the ((Lord Siva) temple.
They also want the authorities to take steps to protect and refurbish the temple for the Krishna Pushkarams to be held in 2016.
Responding to the villagers’ plea, a team led by the Assistant Director of Archaeology and Museums Department S. Bangaraiah went to the place and found an ancient temple belonging to the 11{+t}{+h}century A.D.
The official said the temple, located on a 75-feet high hillock, was of archaeological importance.
It was constructed during the early medieval period and reflected the architectural style of the Reddy rulers with its four mandapa pillars in corbelled arch.
The temple consists of a garbhalaya (main shrine) and sub-shrines. On its right, a goddess shrine is established, facing the Krishna river. During the inspection, the officials also found 18 other temples of ‘Bhairava’, ‘Anjaneeya’, ‘Srirama’, ‘Sri Venkateswara’, ‘Sri Parameswara’, ‘Swayambu Linga’ and the village deity ‘Ankalamma’.
According to the officials, the Revenue Department authorities are collecting details of the temple and the records are available with them. A report will later be submitted to the Assistant Director S. Bangaraiah who will, in turn, send a compliance report to the head office in Hyderabad before it is forwarded to the government.
The government will issue a notice inviting objections, if any, in 90 days before declaring the religious structure a protected monument under the control of the Archaeology and Museums Department.
Mr. Bangaraiah says it’s a 60-km drive from Vijayawada. One can also enjoy boat ride in Krishna River after having darshan at the temple.
Residents of Gudimetla village urged the Archaeology and Museums Department officials to protect and refurbish Sri Someswara Swamy temple atop a hill abutting the Krishna river.
