11th-century temple excavated
30 Sep 2007, 0103 hrs IST, Deepti Ganapathy,TNN

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MYSORE: The Department of State Archaeology and Museums has excavated an 11th century temple at Savve village in HD Kote taluk, 63 km from here. The inscription on the temple's edifice makes the discovery all the more significant.

"Temples in Karnataka usually do not have inscriptions on them," says R Gopal, director of DSAM. "In Tamil Nadu, it is common for temples to have inscriptions. The discovery of this inscription with Kannada script belonging to the 11th century will give a lot of information of that period," he added.

The inscription has been sent to noted epigraphist H M Nagaraja Rao who will decipher the script.

Officials of DSAM, having equipped with proof, strongly believe that the temple may have belonged to the Ganga period. The Gangas ruled in the 11th century. Their capital was situated at Talakad, which is close by. A royal insignia and a ring belonging to that period was also found at the temple.

The temple was discovered by a farmer when he was ploughing his land near Savve village. Archaeologists also speculate that the temple, which has a pond close by, may have been at the centre of a village. The granite-made temple is 10 metre in length and six metre broad.

"The upper structure is missing. But the basement seems strong enough," says Gopal.

The temple is east facing and consists of the sanctum sanctorum and an outer room. The deity of Mahishasura Mardini, which was found lying above the temple in the fields, was taken by the villagers 25 years ago, sources in the village said. The goddess is now being worshipped by the villagers.

Post-discovery, DSAM is planning to declare it as a protected monument and begin restoration work after getting facts from that period