Two 4th century Ganesha idols found in a field at Kaza near Amaravati
Two 4th-century Ganesha idols carved from red sandstone were discovered in a field in Kaza village, Andhra Pradesh. Archaeologists believe the find provides further evidence of the Ananda Gotrika dynasty's historical influence in the region.
Why it matters
The discovery offers significant insights into the religious and cultural history of the Guntur district during the 4th century CE.
Two small Ganesha idols dating to the 4th century CE, carved out of red sandstone, surfaced in an agricultural field during ploughing at Kaza village in Mangalagiri mandal of Guntur district, according to archaeologist and Pleach India Foundation chief executive officer E. Sivanagireddy.
Acting on information from Simhadri Venkatarama Reddy, a farmer of the village, Mr. Sivanagireddy visited the site on Thursday (July 23, 2026) and examined the idols. Measuring 5 cm by 3 cm and 4 cm by 2 cm, the idols have two hands, holding a modaka in the left hand and a danta (broken tusk) in the right. They have pot bellies and elephant heads without headgear, and are seated in lalitasana, reflecting the iconography and artistic style of the Ananda Gotrika period. The idols resemble a limestone Ganesha image of the same period found at Chejarla, the capital of the Ananda Gotrika dynasty.
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