Workers digging up the foundation of the demolished galigopuram of the ancient Amaralingeswara temple in Amaravati have stumbled upon ancient artefacts dating back 1800 years.
The finds include two Buddha sculptures dated to the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD, a limestone Siva linga from the 4th century AD, and an inscription believed to be from the 10th century.
Archaeologist E. Siva Nagireddy said ancient finds are common in Amaravati, a town with a continuous history of at least 2,300 years. A good number of Buddhist panels were found when the temple was renovated in 1980.
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Amaralingeswara temple Executive Officer Srinivasa Reddy said hundreds of such artefacts must be lying in houses scattered across Amaravati. “You dismantle any house in Amaravati, you will find historic articles,” he said. The temple’s galigopuram was demolished amid controversy after the structure had developed cracks in the masonry. The move was opposed by local people who believe that disturbing the gopuram is tantamount to tampering with the original structure of the temple.
The galigopuram is to be rebuilt at a cost of Rs. 1.56 crore in the next one year. The temple is said to been last renovated in 1796 by the local zamindar Raja Vasireddy Venkatadri Nayudu.