: A range of Buddhist and Jain sculptures came to light during renovation work on the Visweswara temple at Mukkollu village in Krishna district.
The Endowments Department recently removed the lime paint on the temple as part of renovation work being undertaken in the run-up to the Krishna Pushkarams. Several sculptures, including two Jain Teerthakaras, Lord Buddha on the head of the Lord Siva and dancing girls, were found on the temple, which is otherwise a treasure trove of sand sculptures.
No clarity on historicity
“The temple is a symbol of religious diversity,” opined Mohammed Silar, who has explored many Buddhist relics in Krishna district. The bottom part of the temple was constructed with red stone, from which the lime paint was removed without causing damage to the rest of the temple.
A team of Endowments Department officials, the temple priest and Mohammed Silar were engaged in establishing the period during which it was built. Ironically, no inscription that speaks about its history was found on the temple. “We never thought that our temple has such beautiful sand sculptures. The genius of the sculptor deserves praise. We, however, do not have any clue about the presence of Buddhist and Jain sculptures on the temple walls,” Anjaneya Swami, an Executive Officer of the Endowment Department, told The Hindu .
Mr. Swami, who hails from Mukkollu in the district, is one of the key persons who strive for unravelling the beauty of the temple.
The Endowments Department is engaged in renovation of at least 200 temples which were identified across the district as part of the Krishna Pushkarams. To accomplish the task, it has adopted the sand blasting technique.
