Archaeology department of Karnataka is on a treasure hunt in the backyards of bustling Bangalore which long back was the headquarters of the Ganga dynasty.
The state department for Archaeology has sent a proposal to the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) seeking clearance. Following the receipt of clearances from concerned regulatory bodies in the central government, the department is poised to look for clues in an area of over 20 acres from Manne village close to Nelamangala.
Image courtesy: travelingbeats
A team of officials from the archaeology department and museums, inspected the areas on Thursday.
“Manne is place of very high historical significance. A preliminary survey has been carried out. It was the capital of the Gangas, who ruled for more than nine hundred years. They were initially in Kolar. They then moved to Manne before moving finally to Talakkad. Hence, the place which served as their capital is of great value. A proposal has been sent for archaeologi cal scientific excavation,” Dr Gopal, director of state museums was quoted by Bangalore Mirror.
Manne village which is also known as Manyapura, was one of the neglected and forgotten historical towns till recent days.
Reportedly the glory of erstwhile Someshwara temple of Manyapura in ancient days, has today reduced to being called as a ‘Sule Gudi’ or ‘prostitute’s house’.
The stone structures in Manne shed light on the old glory of the Gangas. The temple in Manne is considered to be as old as 9-10th century AD and “still has eye-catching architecture with life-size dwarapalakas, a mandapam with ornamental pillar carvings, typical of the Gangas.”
An excavation here is is expected to reveal more ruins of the once what was a prosperous Kingdom.
