Post-tsunami excavations in Mahabalipuram has revealed a new temple suspected to be built about 2000 years back. Here is the detailed explanation of how the temple was discovered by the ASI.
“The tsunami exposed inscriptions on a huge rock that had previously been protected as a site of importance,” said T Satyamurthy of the ASI.
“These inscriptions dated back to 935 AD and said that Krishna the Third, from the Rashtrakuda Dynasty in Karnataka, had given gold to a temple to pay for keeping an eternal flame alight.
“This led us to dig further. Near the surface we found coins, pottery, stucco figurines and bronze lamps and so we knew there must be something more. Soon we discovered the remains of the 9th century Pallava temple.”
As they continued to excavate they came across the earlier Sangam temple. The distinctive shift from courses of brickwork to large granite slabs indicates the different periods.
“The Pallavas just built on the brick foundations left behind after the Sangam temple was levelled. The two periods are there, clear to see,” said Dr Satyamurthy. [ Tsunami reveals ancient temple sites]
Check my post on mahablipuram as well. When I visited in april, they had discovered a city wall – not so exciting as the temple, but probably with different implications.
Pranay, Thanks for the pictures. With the discovery of the temple, the story of the ‘seven pagodas’ is getting more prominence.