Edulabad’s Ancient Petroglyphs Face Neglect Amid Urban Threat
Local historian Dr G. Dasarath noted that the Sri Goda Ranganatha Swamy Temple was Edulabad's key ancient landmark from the 15th-16th century Quli Qutb Shah era.
Hyderabad: Edulabad near Ghatkesar hides rare petroglyphs on the Bhairavagutta hillock, revealing Telangana's prehistoric past. Discovered two decades ago by local historians, these Mesolithic-era rock carvings are located along the Musi River on government land in Medchal district. Despite their value, they remain unprotected and unseen.
The site features a mysterious pictograph repeated 66 times, unique in Telangana and still undeciphered. Twelve nearby hillocks hold prehistoric structures, burial sites, rock grooves, and Kakatiya-era inscriptions of Bhairavudu and Lord Hanuman.
"This is our ancestors' epic — a time capsule of Megalithic mystery and medieval history," said Musi Shankar, former village sarpanch.
Quarrying once scarred the hill but it was stopped by villagers. Now, an unstoppable urban sprawl threatens the site. Experts fear the artifacts could vanish if the government does not take quick and strict action.
Local historian Dr G. Dasarath noted that the Sri Goda Ranganatha Swamy Temple was Edulabad's key ancient landmark from the 15th-16th century Quli Qutb Shah era. "Edulabad, once Rayapuram, links to Satavahana and Kakatiya heritage with ancient caves, but lacks national monument status like the Golconda fort or the Ramappa temple," Dr Dasarath told Deccan Chronicle.
Shankar called the petroglyphs ‘Telangana's Bhimbetka’, akin to the historic site in Madhya Pradesh, and urged government to commence excavations at the site, decode the findings and preserve them. He said the village's Andal Temple was the nation's second such shrine after the one Srivilliputhur in Tamil Nadu. The area also has Sri Venugopala Swamy Temple, Kala Bhairva Temple, and ancient Shiva temples.
Several citizens had supported a petition of the Edulabad Heritage Protection Forum, demanding state heritage status for the site, funds for studies, conservation, a museum, and eco-tourism trails to save the site and boost the local economy against Hyderabad's expansion.
