Rare Gajalakshmi sculpture from Rashtrakuta period found in neglect in Telangana’s Medak

A rare sculpture depicting Gajalakshmi, dating to the ninth century CE during the Rashtrakuta period, has been found lying in neglect at Yanagandla village in Kulcharam mandal of Medak district, according to historians.

A team of heritage activists and historians, in association with members of Kotha Telangana Charitra Brundam (KTCB), visited the site on Saturday to examine the sculpture.

Carved out of black granite, the sculpture depicts Goddess Lakshmi seated in Padmasana, holding lotus flowers in both hands, while elephants anoint her. A striking feature is the depiction of the churning of the ocean, or Samudra Manthan, involving gods and demons above the Gajalakshmi figure. Historians said this was a rare feature not reported in either Telangana or Andhra Pradesh.

The reverse side of the sculpture bears another remarkable carving of Lord Shiva as a 12-armed Nataraja performing the Ananda Tandava. Brahma and Vishnu are depicted seated on either side of Shiva with folded hands. The historians described the sculpture as a masterpiece of the Rashtrakuta period.

The team comprised E. Sivanagireddy, CEO of Pleach India Foundation, Sriramoju Haragopal, convener of KTCB, Gottipati Srinivasa Rao, and A. Raghu. The team urged the villagers to protect the sculpture and preserve it for posterity by installing it on a pedestal.