An ancient Shiva lingam dating back to the 14th or 15th century has been unearthed at the Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Temple, popularly known as Srisailam Temple, in Andhra Pradesh. Officials announced the discovery on Saturday, revealing that the lingam was found near the temple's amphitheater, accompanied by an inscription in Telugu script on the same rock.
The discovery occurred during the construction of a new road and support wall near the temple premises. Upon noticing the lingam and the inscription, the workers promptly notified temple authorities, who then conducted an examination before sending the artifacts to the Mysore Archaeology Department for further analysis.
Initial assessments indicate that the lingam was originally installed by Kampilayya, a disciple of Siddhadeva, a renowned saint from the region. The accompanying inscription mentions the existence of a Chakra Gundam, a Sarangadhara Matham, and a Rudraksha Matham in the vicinity.
This finding holds significant historical value for the Srisailam Temple, which has witnessed multiple excavations and discoveries in its storied past. Previously, a Chaturmukha Lingam was also discovered in the same area, alongside the unearthing of copper plates and silver coins during renovations of the Panchamatha temples.
Both temple authorities and devotees have expressed excitement and reverence for this discovery, recognizing its importance in enriching the temple's historical narrative. As a precautionary measure, construction activities in the vicinity have been paused, and the area has been secured to facilitate thorough examination and preservation of the newly found lingam and inscription.
