India's rare life-size figurine unearthed in Phanigiri of Telangana

Archaeologists in Telangana have unearthed a rare treasure in the form of a life-size stucco sculpture from a Buddhist site in Phanigiri in Suryapet. So far, it is the largest stucco sculpture found in the country.

According to the heritage department officials, it is believed that the life-size figure found in the excavations represents one of Bhodhisattva in Jathaka Chakra.

The stucco was brought to Hyderabad to remodel and conserve and is currently being monitored in the heritage department of Gunfoundry.

"The stucco is about 1.73 metres in height and 35 cm in width," said Sunita Bhagwat, in-charge director, department of heritage. "This unique sculpture found in the excavations is the biggest and the most important, and a rare finding not just in Telangana but also in the country."

"The stucco was found facing the ground on the north-eastern side of the Buddhist site at Phanigiri. We are currently taking measures to mend the sculpture and conserve it for future generations," said Bhagwat.

Khaja Muhammad Ahmad started the preliminary excavation in Phanigiri in 1941 of the archaeology department of the ancient state of Hyderabad, and it continued until 1944.

After that, the Department of Archeology and Museums of the state (department of heritage) carried out excavations again after six decades, between 2001 and 2010, and once in 2013-14.