Cave belonging to megalithic era found in Udupi
Udupi, Apr 2: A cave found during the renovation work of Sri Anantha Padmanabha temple at Paniyadi in Udupi district recently belongs to the megalithic period, according to T Murugeshi, associate professor of ancient history and archaeology at MSRS College in Shirva.
In a statement, Murugeshi said he visited the renovation site on Thursday and found it was a rock-cut cave after examining it.
The cave belongs to 800 BC and is 2,000 years old in antiquity, he said.
Similar megalithic rock-cut caves have been found at Pavanje Subrahmanya temple, Sooda Subrahmanya temple, Sasturu Subrahmanya temple and other places in coastal Karnataka.
Murugeshi said the discovery is unique in understanding the antiquity of the Phanis.
Pani and Haadi, together forming Paniyadi, means settlement of Phanis.
Phanis were referred to in the Mahabharata and the Puranas as ancient original inhabitants of the country.
Places such as Paniyur, Paniyadi in Udupi district indicate the existence of Phanis settlements in the past.
Phanis were famous for their Naga worship while Naga was their totemic emblem.
Paniyadi's presiding deity Anantha Padbhanabha was also related with Naga worship.
Iconographically, he was Para Vasudeva, a Vaishnavate God.
He sits on the Naga coil and the Naga hood stands high on his head.
A similar icon found in Keelinje near Udupi belongs to 10th century AD, while the Paniyadi deity belongs to 14th Century AD, he said.
The Anantha Padmanabha temple belongs to Udupi Puttige Mutt and its renovation was undertaken by the mutt with the help of villagers.
While digging earth for constructing the outer wall of the temple on March 23, the cave was found eight feet below the surface to the north of the temple.
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Amit Shah’s comments on Ambedkar spark controversy; Congress demands apology
New Delhi: Home Minister Amit Shah’s remarks about Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in Parliament on Tuesday have sparked a political uproar, with the Indian National Congress accusing the BJP of harboring disdain for the architect of the Indian Constitution.
During his address, Shah said, “Now it has become a fashion—Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar… If you take this many names of God, you will get heaven for seven lives.” The Congress criticized these remarks, calling them “disgusting” and demanding a public apology from the Home Minister.
In a scathing post on its social media platforms, the Congress stated, “This shows that the BJP and RSS leaders have a lot of hatred for Baba Saheb Ambedkar. Such hatred that they are annoyed even by his name. These are the same people whose ancestors burned effigies of Baba Saheb and talked about changing the Constitution he gave us. When the public taught them a lesson, now they are annoyed with those who take Baba Saheb’s name. Shameful!”
The opposition party alleged that the remarks reflect the BJP’s and RSS’s historical antipathy toward Ambedkar and his contributions. Congress leaders called for an unconditional apology, arguing that Shah’s comments were disrespectful and hurt the sentiments of millions who revere Ambedkar’s legacy.
The BJP has not yet officially responded to the criticism. However, Shah’s remarks come amid heated parliamentary debates over constitutional rights and social justice issues.
“These days a new fashion is going on..Ambedkar..Ambedkar…Ambedkar,
— Shantanu (@shaandelhite) December 17, 2024
If they had taken God’s name this much, they would have reached heaven for the next 7 births.”
Probably the biggest insult of Ambedkar Ji has been done by Amit Shah. pic.twitter.com/13UYoP9crl
