Rare Gajalakshmi sculpture from Rashtrakuta period found in neglect in Telangana’s Medak
A rare 9th-century Gajalakshmi sculpture from the Rashtrakuta period has been discovered in a neglected state in Telangana's Medak district. Historians noted the unique inclusion of the Samudra Manthan scene and a 12-armed Nataraja on the reverse side.
Why it matters
The discovery provides significant historical insight into the art and culture of the Rashtrakuta dynasty, prompting calls for better heritage preservation.
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.
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