11th Century sculpture cries for attention in Vijayawada

Vijayawada: A 11th Century AD life size sculpture depicting a hero involved in self-sacrifice by cutting his head with a sword to fulfill his vow to God Subrahmanyam at Mallam, a village in Kota mandal, Nellore district was found buried in the ground up to the neck portion.

According to archaeologist and CEO of the Cultural Centre Of Vijayawada and Amaravathi (CCVA) Dr E Sivanagi Reddy, during inspection of antique sculpture on Saturday, a chariot drawn by horses and also a good number of sculptures were found with self-sacrificing heroes by cutting their throats and stabbing knives into their bodies as part of fulfilling their vows to God Subrahmanyam, the presiding deity of the temple.

He went to the spot based on information provided by Prabhakar Reddy, trustee of the temple sometime back and thoroughly examined the Chola temple complex. Dr Reddy appealed to the State government and the local community to unearth the sculpture which bears historical significance and erect on a raised platform with a label on its historicity. He said there were a good number of such hero stones buried in the debris and lying in a state of neglect.