Carved stone pieces found during excavation at construction site; archaeology dept orders probe
Thane(PTI): Some broken pieces of stone carvings, apparently parts of some ancient columns, were found during excavation at a construction site in Maharashtra's Thane city, prompting the authorities to order a probe.
These remnants were found on a private plot near Anand Ashram in Tembhi Naka area on Thursday, following which construction work has been stopped, officials said on Saturday.
This discovery was made shortly after the unearthing of a rare Brahma idol during excavation at the ancient Siddheshwar temple in the same area.
After the finding, local heritage enthusiast Kailas Mhapadi informed District Collector Ashok Shingare about it, and urged him to take steps to protect these relics. The collector then instructed the Archaeology Department to conduct an investigation into their nature and origin.
When contacted, Director of Maharashtra Archaeology and Museums Tejas Garge told PTI that he has directed the officials to investigate these remnants.
Historian Sadashiv Tetvilkar said, "This area has a history of yielding significant archaeological pieces. These findings are likely to be temple remnants and deserve immediate examination."
The Tembhi Naka region lies within Thane's ancient cultural belt, which includes landmarks like the Kopineshwar temple, Mahagiri Hill and Dagdi Shala.
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Rare Kalyani Chalukya-era stepwell discovered in Karnataka’s Gadag district
Gadag: A centuries-old stepwell from the Kalyani Chalukya period is discovered into public in Sudi, a remote village in Karnataka’s Gadag district. The Nagakunda Pushkarani, dating to the 10th-11th century CE, is undergoing extensive restoration under the Department of Archaeology, Museums and Heritage’s ‘Adopt a Monument’ scheme.
The stepwell was focal point of community life and craftsmanship under the reign of Akkadevi, sister of Chalukya king Jayasimha II. It shows the dynasty’s mastery of architecture and water management. Its interior walls are carved with the precision of temple façades, setting it apart from most surviving stepwells in southern India, linking it stylistically to examples in Gujarat and Rajasthan.
After centuries of neglect left its sculptures weathered and its waters dry, the site is now being revived by the Deccan Heritage Foundation India in partnership with Heritage Matters, the Gandipet Welfare Society and the Water Literacy Foundation according to a report published by The HIndu. Work includes structural repairs, removal of invasive vegetation, dredging, stone resetting and landscaping, alongside the restoration of an adjacent mantapa with a large Ganesha idol.
Heritage architect B. Sarath Chandra noted, the project is as much about functionality as aesthetics, with water recharge efforts already underway. Funded by Gandipet Welfare Society founder Rajashree Pinnamenni, the restoration is slated for completion by late 2025, followed by a second phase linking the stepwell to the Jodu Kalasadagudi temple through landscaped pathways.
The report mentions that officials say the revival of Nagakunda Pushkarani could not only reintroduce Sudi’s Chalukya heritage to a wider audience but also serve as a model for conserving other lesser-known monuments across Karnataka.
