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In a fascinating discovery, an old Vishnu idol and a Shivling were recently found floating in the Krishna River near Devasugur village in Karnataka's Raichur district on February 7. The centuries-old Hindu god idols surfaced during the construction of a bridge across the river.
The crew working on the bridge project safely retrieved the idols, believed to be from the eleventh or twelfth century AD, and promptly informed local authorities. Witnesses claim that among the idols found are the Shivaling and the Dashavatar of Lord Krishna. Interestingly, some have drawn comparisons to the recently consecrated idol of Ram Lalla in the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.
The Vishnu idol, adorned with representations of the ten incarnations, stood out for its distinctive features. According to Dr. Padmaja Desai, a lecturer in Ancient History and Archaeology, the idol likely graced the sanctum sanctorum of a temple and might have been submerged in the river during a potential attack on the temple.
Describing the idol, Dr. Desai highlighted Lord Vishnu with four limbs in a standing posture. The upper hands carried the "shankha" (conch) and "chakra" (disk), while the lower hands were in the gesture of bestowing boons. The absence of Garuda, typically seen with Lord Vishnu, was noted, and instead, a pair of women holding fans adorned the idol.
The green mixed rock used to carve the idols suggests a connection to the Kalyana Chalukya period. Notably, the stone used for the Ayodhya Ram Lalla idol also hails from Karnataka.
The idols, including the Shivling, have been handed over to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for further examination. Dr. Desai emphasized that the smiling Lord Vishnu idol, adorned with garlands and decorations, remains intact, with minor damage to its nose.
This unexpected discovery adds a historical and cultural dimension to the region, showcasing the rich heritage embedded in Karnataka's riverbanks. As studies continue on these ancient artifacts, the Krishna River stands witness to the stories of devotion and protection encapsulated within these divine idols.
