Rare Gajalakshmi sculpture from Rashtrakuta period found in neglect in Telangana’s Medak
An unexpected find in the quiet village of Yanagandla, Medak district, has brought a ninth‑century masterpiece back into the spotlight. A black‑granite Gajalakshmi sculpture, dating to the Rashtrakuta period, was discovered lying neglected, prompting a swift visit by heritage activists and historians.
The figure of Goddess Lakshmi sits in serene Padmasana, lotus blossoms poised in both hands, while a pair of elephants pour fragrant water over her. Above her, a rare depiction of the Samudra Manthan—the cosmic churning of the ocean—unfolds, showing gods and demons in dynamic motion, a motif unseen elsewhere in Telangana or Andhra Pradesh.
Turning the stone over reveals an equally striking reverse: a twelve‑armed Nataraja Shiva in full Ananda Tandava, flanked by seated Brahma and Vishnu with folded hands. The dual iconography underscores the sculpture’s exceptional artistry and its status as a hallmark of Rashtrakuta stonework.
Local advocates, including members of Kotha Telangana Charitra Brundam, are urging the community to safeguard the piece, proposing a protective pedestal to ensure its preservation for future generations.