2019 – Pleach India Foundation

Site

15.01.2019

13th Cen. CE Kakatiya inscription found at Lingayapalem for the first time, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh

Findings

Kakatiya inscription, belonging to the 13th century was found on the margin of the road for the first time.

Call to Action

Since the inscription bears historical significance, villagers were sensitized to protect it so that it would remain intact. Made an appeal to the officials of APCRDA and Dept. of Archaeology and Museums to take appropriate action to safeguard the inscription and the 15th century CE Chamundi Sculpture which is worshipped as Poleramma by the villagers.

Site

04.05.2019

Chola Period Rare brick temple, Salakam Cheruvu, Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh

Findings

Chola period brick temple was found under threat of dilapidation at Salakam Cheruvu.

Call To Action

Sensitized the villagers and local authorities of its historical significance to take measures to safeguard and preserve for posterity.

Site

11.05.2019

16th century CE Krishnadevaraya Inscription found in a state of neglect, Tadigadapa, Krishna, Andhra Pradesh

Findings

Inscription belonging to Emperor Sri Krishnadevaraya of the Vijayanagara Empire, dating back to 1518 CE, was discovered in a deteriorating state at Tadigadapa village near Vijayawada.

The inscription, issued by Rayasam Kondamarusayya, a Military General under Sri Krishnadevaraya, details the digging of a well for Sangoyamma, Kondamarusayya's mother, to provide drinking water to the village.

The slab, once fixed to the wall of Venugopala Swamy temple, faces threat due to heavy traffic.

Call To Action

Cleaned the inscription, deciphered the Telugu script, and emphasized the need for its preservation. Appealed to the Department of Archaeology and Museums to protect and preserve it for posterity.

Site

04.06.2019

11th Cen. CE Jain Tirthankara idol found in shrubs, Macherla, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh

Findings

Spotted an ancient idol of Jain Tirthankara (11th century CE) in shrubs near Basavalingam temple. The idol is made of black granite stone.

5 feet in height and 3 feet in width and was identified as the idol of Suparshvanatha - the seventh Tirthankara.

Call To Action

Requested the newly elected MLA Pinnelli Ramakrishna Reddy to take steps to shift the idol to the Chennakesava Swamy temple to safeguard it

Site

12.08.2019

20th Century Railway Bridge, Diguvu Mittapalle,
Prakasam, Andhra Pradesh

Findings

Inspected a 20th century British brick railway bridge at Diguvu Mittapalle

Call To Action

Sensitized and raised awareness within the local grampanchayat to ensure the protection of the site.

Site

11.09.2018

8th Cen. CE Rare Mahishasuramardini Sculpture spotted, Nayakallu, Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh

Findings

Located a rare 8th century Mahishasuramardhini sculpture at Nayakallu.

Call To Action

Sensitized the villagers on the need to preserve these sculptures of historical importance for posterity

Site

14.09.2018

Thrilling Heritage Trek to the Rockcut Jain Cave organized at Ambapuram (Heritage Walk)
Krishna, Andhra Pradesh

Findings

Organised a heritage trek to the historic cave at Ambapuram, a picturesque village in Vijayawada rural mandal.

The trek covered half a kilometer up the Ambapuram hill, culminating at the 8th-century CE rock-cut cave of the Swetambar Jain Seet. Provided insights into the excavation method, Jaina architecture, and the spread of Jainism in and around Vijayawada.

Call To Action

Appealed to the government to provide minimal tourist infrastructure to develop the cave, located in a lush green valley with a commanding view of Vijayawada, as a spot for heritage and ecotourism activities

Site

12.10.2019

7th Cen. CE Parwanadha Idol found, Dharmavaram,
Prakasam, Andhra Pradesh

Findings

A 7th century stone idol of Parswanadha, the 23rd Jain Tirthankara was found in the fields, close to the Bhimeswara temple at Dharmavaram village.

Call To Action

Based on the archaeological and historical significance of the 7th century Jain idol, appealed to the villagers and the officials of the Archaeology and Museums Dept to safe guard it for posterity, by shifting it into the temple with proper security.

Site

30.10.2019

Rare 10th Cen. CE 1000 Naga sculpture found, Velpuru,
Guntur, Andhra Pradesh

Findings

A rare sculpture of 1000 nagas carved on a single slab dating to about 10th century CE was found.

The huge broken slab measuring 2'-0 x 6' -0 x 0' -4" was carved with 26 miniature sculptures in each row on the front side and a total of 624 serpents are visible and it can be surmised that the rest of the 576 serpent sculptures might be on the broken part of the slab which was not located.

Call To Action

Appealed to the locals to safeguard the sculpture and requested the officials of the tourism department to operate a Naga Tourist Circuit connecting the Durga Nageswara temple, Pedakallepalli and Subbarayudu temple at Mopidevi in Krishna district to that of the 1,000 Nagas sculpture at Velpuru.

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