Ancient rock carvings discovered in Andhra Pradesh's Srikakulam

VISAKHAPATNAM:

Shivalinga

carvings in an ancient script have been discovered on a rock lying in river Nagavalli in

Srikakulam

town by a team of officials from archaeology and tourism departments and representatives of Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH).

The rock is stuck in the sand dunes of the river and is located near the ancient Lord Koteswara Swamy temple and the century-old bridge on the river. The team visited the spot on Saturday to collect evidence to bring it to the notice of higher officials.

Speaking to TOI, Srikakulam district tourism officer N Narayana Rao said, “We have taken photos, videos and impressions of the ancient script and carvings which appear to be Shivalinga. Archaeological experts from Visakhapatnam will visit the spot for further studies.”

Sources informed that the inscriptions were similar to those belonging to the era of Chalukya dynasty of Badami. On the basis of this information, officials have preliminarily assumed that the inscriptions may belong to the Eastern Chalukyas or the Chalukyas of Vengi, the dynasty that ruled parts of south India between seventh and twelfth centuries.

Archaeology department assistant director S Venkateswara Rao said, “We can officially announce the period and the history of our discoveries in Srikakulam only after some technical studies. We will visit the area shortly.”