More than 50 Jain idols found in a state of neglect in Vikarabad

Hyderabad: Renowned archaeologist E Shivanagi Reddy found ancient and beautiful Jain sculptures scattered and in a state of complete neglect in Kankal village of Pudur mandal in Vikarabad.

They found more than 50 idols under the bushes and trees, including a huge Ganesha, three Nandis, four Shivalingas, 15 serpent deities, Saptamatrika, Veerbhadra, 10 heroes engaged in battle, Patthar, Chandi, Chamundi and a good number of Jain idols. These sculptures date back to the 8th and 12th centuries AD, representing the Badami Chalukya, Rashtrakuta, Kalyani Chalukya and Kakatiya art styles. He said the broken black granite statues of Jain Parshvanath and Mahavira adorned with Yakshas and Yakshinis found on the side of a mosque, on the roadside and under a tamarind tree in the village deserve immediate protection because of their artistic merit and antique value.

Shivanagi Reddy said, “The image of Parashnatha standing in Kayotsarga posture was damaged with part of the head, while the hood of the serpent king Dharanaindra was broken.”

Based on a massive plinth carved with statues of lions, symbolizing Vardhaman Mahavira, he suspected that there might be a massive statue of Mahavira in the village and that it had not yet been discovered. Shivanagi Reddy documented all the 50 idols with the help of heritage lover Chakali Sampath Kamar and village farmer S Venkata Ramireddy.