Amaravati (Andhra Pradesh): The ancient panchaloha idols (five metals composition idols) were unearthed from under the ground of Sri Kurma Varadaraja Swamy temple built by Pallavas in Kurmai village near Palamaner of Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh. These ancient panchaloha idols were discovered during excavations as part of the reconstruction works of the Varadaraja Swamy temple. Kurma Varadaraja Swamy temple built by the Pallavas who ruled South India till the 9th century is located 5 km from Palamaner in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh.
The panchaloha idols were discovered on March 10, Sunday, while the renovation work at the temple was in progress. During the excavation of the shrine’s foundation, the head of an idol was found first. Later, when the soil was carefully removed, a two-and-a-half feet high conch shell and the idol of Lord Vishnu were discovered. The temple priest confirmed that the other two idols found after Lord Vishnu’s belonged to Goddess Sridevi and Goddess Bhoodevi.
Apart from idols, metal objects used for pujas and old newspapers have also been found. These are estimated to be worth billions of rupees. The temple management said that they will seek the help of the archeology department officials to find out the age of the idols.
Kurma Varadaraja Swamy Temple in Kurmai village is one of the oldest temples in Bharat which enshrines the second incarnation ‘Koormam,’ of Lord Vishnu. According to historians and available inscriptions, this temple was built on the bank of the sacred river Koudinya. It is said that this temple has a legendary connection with the Varadaraja Perumal temple in Kancheepuram.
The 13th century saw the rise of the Delhi Sultanate and from the reign of the Khilji dynasty, they made frequent forays into southern India. The Tughlaq dynasty that followed, continued the attacks. In 1790s, the Rayalaseema region where Kurmai village is located, was under the rule of Muhammadans (Muslim rulers). During this time due to religious differences among the people, most of the prominent temples were demolished. There are records to prove that the Kurmai villagers of those days, hid the Kurma Varadaraja Swamy temple, covering it up with mud, to save it from desecration by the hordes of Muhammadan rulers. The temple turned into a huge mound of soil. It was as if the Varadaraja Swamy temple vanished from the face of the earth. It is believed that while the temple remained submerged under the soil, the Lord of the temple, Varadaraja Swamy, left the temple to Kancheepuram (Kanchi) leaving his footprints on a stone called Kodhevarabanda.
A popular story is that nearly 150 years ago, a farmer from Nangali in Karnataka came to Kurmai village for cultivation. While tilling the land, he accidentally found the gopuram (top portion of the temple) of Varadaraja Swamy temple under the heap of mud. He then cleared the mud and found the old temple underneath. Later, it was decided to rebuild the temple and after the reconstruction of the temple started, the original idols were found.
Last year, the State Devaswom Department sanctioned Rs 1.25 crore for renovation works of the temple. Following this, the temple began to be demolished and reconstruction work started. The idols which were recovered from under the ground are kept at the place where the current idol of Kurma Varadaraja Swamy is kept. After learning about the discovery of the old idols, devotees from nearby villages started flocking to this area, to have a darshan of the sacred idols.
The name ‘Palamaner’ or Palamaneru originated from ‘Pallavan Yeri’ meaning the lake dug by the Pallavas. ‘Yeri’ means lake in Tamil. Palamaner is located on the border of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. It is precisely located 192 km from Chennai, 136 km from Bangalore and 108 km from Tirupati.
Photo Courtesy : Kurma Varadaraja Swamy Temple Facebook Page
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