Overview
A rare four-sided stone pillar with a Buddha Parinirvana sculpture was found in Bhimsari village, Adilabad district, Telangana, in June 2026. The pillar combines Buddhist, Vaishnavite, and Shaivite motifs on a single monument. Historians have dated it to the 10th century CE. This is the first such monument found in Telangana.
The Discovery in Adilabad
A remarkable archaeological discovery was made in June 2026. A rare four-sided stone pillar was found in Bhimsari village. This village is located in Adilabad district, Telangana. The pillar carries four half-relief carvings on its sides.
The discovery was made by Roddavaru Prithviraj. He is a history lecturer and member of the Kotha Telangana Charitra Brundam. His sharp observation led to this important find.
The carvings were later examined by experts. Sriramoju Haragopal and Dr. E. Sivanagi Reddy studied the pillar. Both are associated with historical and heritage research in Telangana. Their examination confirmed the significance of the find.
This discovery is unique in many ways. It is the first known monument of its kind in Telangana. The pillar combines imagery from three different religious traditions on one stone. This makes it exceptionally rare and valuable for historical study.
The find adds a dated example of multi-religious sculptural tradition in the medieval Deccan. It shows how different faiths coexisted peacefully in that period.
Understanding Buddha Parinirvana
The Parinirvana of Buddha refers to the final passing away of Gautama Buddha. It happened after his death at Kushinagar. This event is very important in Buddhist tradition. It marks the Buddha's final release from the cycle of birth and death.
In sculpture, Buddha Parinirvana is usually shown in a specific way. The Buddha is shown as a reclining figure. The body lies on the right side. The right hand is placed under the head. This is the traditional posture for depicting his final moments.
The depiction on the Adilabad pillar follows this tradition. It matches the iconographic description found in the Parinibbana Sutta. This is a Pali Buddhist text that describes the Buddha's final days.
Parinirvana images are found in Buddhist art across India. They appear in stone reliefs, temple panels, and monolithic sculptures. The Adilabad pillar adds to this rich tradition.
Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh is the site associated with the Mahaparinirvana of Gautama Buddha. The Parinibbana Sutta belongs to the Pali Canon of Theravada Buddhism. These facts connect this discovery to a larger Buddhist heritage.
Features of the Adilabad Pillar
The Adilabad pillar has four distinct sides. Each side shows a different religious or martial figure. This combination is what makes the pillar so unique.
One side shows Buddha in Parinirvana posture. This is the reclining Buddha. Another side shows Vishnu Sayana Murti. This depicts Vishnu in a reclining posture. It is usually associated with cosmic rest. The third side shows a heroic warrior figure. The fourth side shows Uma Lingana Murti. This depicts Shiva embracing Uma or Parvati.
The combination of these figures on one pillar is unusual. It is rare to see Buddhist, Vaishnavite, and Shaivite motifs on a single monument. This makes the pillar exceptional in Telangana's archaeological record.
Similar Buddha Parinirvana sculptures have been recorded in Telangana before. One example is found at Bhimeshwara Temple in Vemulawada. However, none of these combine three religious traditions like the Adilabad pillar does.
The pillar shows the artistic skill of the sculptors. They created detailed carvings on all four sides. The craftsmanship is remarkable for its time.
Historical Context and Significance
Historians have studied the pillar carefully. They have placed the sculpture in the 10th century CE. This dating is based on stylistic grounds. The artistic style matches other works from that period.
The 10th century CE was a special time in the Deccan region. This period saw the coexistence of Buddhist, Shaivite, and Vaishnavite traditions. These different faiths existed side by side. They influenced each other in temple and sculptural art.
The Adilabad pillar reflects this religious harmony. It shows that artists could create works that honored multiple traditions. This is a testament to the inclusive culture of the time.
The discovery is significant for Telangana's heritage. It is the first known monument of its kind in the state. It adds to our understanding of medieval Deccan history.
The find also highlights the importance of preservation. Such monuments are windows into our past. They help us understand how people lived and worshipped centuries ago. Protecting them is essential for future generations.
Conclusion
The discovery of the four-sided stone pillar in Adilabad is a remarkable find. It combines Buddhist, Vaishnavite, and Shaivite imagery on one monument. Dated to the 10th century CE, it reflects the religious coexistence of the medieval Deccan. This first-of-its-kind find in Telangana adds greatly to our understanding of India's rich cultural heritage.
Key Exam-Focused Points
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Rare four-sided stone pillar found in Bhimsari village, Adilabad district, Telangana
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Discovered by Roddavaru Prithviraj, history lecturer, in June 2026
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Examined by Sriramoju Haragopal and Dr. E. Sivanagi Reddy
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Pillar combines Buddhist, Vaishnavite, and Shaivite motifs
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One side shows Buddha Parinirvana (reclining posture)
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Another side shows Vishnu Sayana Murti (reclining Vishnu)
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Third side shows heroic warrior figure
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Fourth side shows Uma Lingana Murti (Shiva with Uma/Parvati)
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Historians dated the sculpture to 10th century CE
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Parinirvana is Buddha's final passing away at Kushinagar
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Parinibbana Sutta is a Pali Buddhist text
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Vishnu Sayana Murti depicts Vishnu in cosmic rest
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First known monument of its kind in Telangana
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Similar sculptures found at Bhimeshwara Temple in Vemulawada
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Where was the rare four-sided stone pillar found?
The rare four-sided stone pillar was found in Bhimsari village in Adilabad district, Telangana. It was discovered in June 2026.
2. Who discovered the Adilabad pillar?
The pillar was discovered by Roddavaru Prithviraj, a history lecturer and member of the Kotha Telangana Charitra Brundam.
3. What religious traditions are represented on the pillar?
The pillar combines Buddhist, Vaishnavite, and Shaivite motifs. It shows Buddha Parinirvana, Vishnu Sayana Murti, a heroic warrior, and Uma Lingana Murti.
4. When was the pillar created?
Historians have placed the sculpture in the 10th century CE based on stylistic grounds. This was a period when different religious traditions coexisted in the Deccan.
5. What is Buddha Parinirvana?
Buddha Parinirvana refers to the final passing away of Gautama Buddha after his death at Kushinagar. In sculpture, it is shown as a reclining figure lying on the right side with the right hand under the head.