17th Century Nandi Discovered At Old Malakpet

HYDERABAD: Research enthusiasts have found a Nandi-bearing stone monument at Old Malakpet, on the road in front of Zahida Residency. The pillar features a relief carving of a warrior standing with a sword over his right shoulder, while holding his wife's hand with his left. The pillar is topped with a Nandi sculpture. On the ground beside it lies a stone slab carved with two Nandis.

The stone pedestal featuring the Nandis marked a grave, indicating that the burial site was located right there, according to Sriramoju Haragopal, president of the Kotha Telangana Charitra Brundam. Carving a Nandi on graves was a practice within the Shaiva tradition, he stated.

Haragopal said that based on the style of the sculptures, the Nandi stone and the associated grave markers could be dated to the 17th century.

Karthik Vatsavayi of the brundam, a software engineer, said: “As I was passing by, I spotted a stone pillar on the road. I became curious and studied it and found that the carvings depicted an ancient style.” He informed the Kotha Telangana Charitra Brundam.

Vatsavayi added, “A team later reached the spot and found out that it is a 17th century monument. This site is empty and there is no temple. Both sides of the road have apartments.” He said the brundam was a team of about 100 enthusiasts who on weekends, explore historical places. “Most of them are professionals from various fields,” Vatsavayi said. “Our recent discovery was a hero stone at Keesaragutta last month.”