108 Buried Siva Temples Found

[Guest guest]

SIDDAVATAM, CUDDAPAH DISTRICT, June 2, 2002: The surfacing of five

ancient Siva temples partly in sand dunes along the Pennar river in

Jyothi village in Siddhavatam mandal has led to the discovery that as

many as 108 Siva temples have been buried under sand at the place.

Besides the rare presence of 108 Siva temples dating back to 1213 ce,

a silver chariot and a diamond crown said to have been presented to

the Jyothi Siddhavateswara Swamy temple by Kakatiya Rudrama Devi were

present in Jyothi village, according to inscriptions discovered.

 

The 108 Siva temples were said to have been constructed by King

Rakkasi Gangarayadeva and his aide, Jantimanayakudu, in the 12th

century and were buried under sand during the Muslim Kings' rule,

says Pothuraju Venkata Subbanna, a retired headmaster and chairman of

several temples in Siddhavatam mandal. The main temple is called

Jyothi Siddheswara Swamy temple. A life-size inscription in the

temple has a swastika symbol on the left and the Sun, Moon and a

sturdy bull on the right.

 

Source: The Hindu

[Guest guest]

This is truely fascinating. I wish I could go excavate.