Historical engravings of gods adorn rocks at Rachakonda

Finely engraved figures of Lord Ganesha and Lord Anjaneya on massive rocks in the Rachakonda forest area of Samsthan Narayanapur Mandal draws the attention of visitors.

The engravings are also a reflection of the ability of sculptors patronized by Rachakonda rulers. Lord Ganesha and Anjaneya’s figures can be seen on the rocks located very close to Choutuppal to Arutla road between Kadilabai Thanda and Allapur villages.

Speaking to The Hindu, D. Surya Kumar, a historian, said the Velama kings Recherla Padmanayakas patronized the finest of artisans, who were believed to have engraved these figures.

Though the Rachakonda rulers worshipped Lord Kalabhairava, Mr. Surya Kumar said these figures indicate that they had also worshipped Ganesha and Anjaneya. “Though the engravings of various gods appeared in Devarakonda, and Undrugonda also ruled by Padmanayakas, and other places in Rachakonda, the Ganesha figure is the finest among them all,” he observed.

The local tribals have painted these figures with saffron color, ignorant of the historical importance of these figures, and offer prayers regularly.

The nearly four-foot-high engraved figure of a four-handed Lord Vinyaka holds an axe on one right hand and a conch in the hand. The Lord is also seen riding a mouse. The figure of Lord Anjaneya engraved on another rock close to this is smaller comparatively, being just one-and-half feet in height. A local tribal, Dheervath Lakshma Naik, said that they offer prayers to these deities without fail while proceeding on the way. The locals and historians appealed to the State government to fund the Department of Archaeology to conserve these historically prominent figures and many other structures constructed by Velama kings in Rachakonda, Deverakonda, and Undrugonda.