Ancient Shivling and Nandi Idol Unearthed in Yavatmal Excavation
Excavation work in Kalamb, Yavatmal district, led to a remarkable archaeological discovery on January 15. Workers unearthed an ancient Shivling, a Shivpind, and a beautifully carved Nandi idol. The find occurred during construction for the Savitribai Phule Community Hall.
Discovery During Community Hall Construction
The excavation took place in Kalamb, located about 21 kilometers from Yavatmal on the Nagpur-Tuljapur state highway. A JCB machine was digging in an open space near a water tank in the Sarade Layout area. When the machine reached a depth of nearly six feet, it struck a large stone.
Workers and local residents inspected the stone closely. They found an ancient Shivling emerging from a Shivpind along with a finely sculpted Nandi bull idol. The Shivling appears to have emerged from below the Shivpind, which is considered extremely rare. Typically, Shivlings are installed from above.
Devotees Gather for Darshan
News of the discovery spread quickly through the area. A large number of devotees gathered at the site for darshan. The atmosphere turned devotional as people arrived to see the ancient idols.
From the afternoon onwards, religious activities were organized at the site. These included puja, bhajan, and aarti ceremonies. The crowd continued to grow throughout the day.
Historical Significance of Kalamb
Kalamb is known as an ancient town with rich historical significance. It was once part of the Gond kingdom. References in the Ganesh Purana mention that Lord Indra installed the idol of Shri Chintamani in this city.
The town is traditionally known as a place of 14 chowks, 32 mahals, and 12 Hanuman temples. Several ancient idols have been discovered in this region over the years.
- About 30 years ago, a beautifully carved Yaksha idol was found during excavation for a rest house in Parvekar Nagar.
- Around 20 years ago, a shepherd discovered a finely sculpted idol of Goddess Vindhyavasini made of black stone on a hill along the Dattapur road.
- A Shivpind was previously found on the banks of the Chakravati river.
Local Reactions and Preservation Efforts
Social worker Chandrashekhar Chandore commented on the discovery. He said, "According to Ganesh Purana, Kalamb was earlier known as Kadamb Nagari. This is an ancient town, and idols have been found during excavations several times in the past. However, the idols found this time are exceptionally beautiful. It is our good fortune that such idols have been discovered in Kalamb. These idols should be properly preserved."
Tahsildar Dhiraj Sthool provided official details about the find. He stated, "Ancient idols were found during excavation work for the community hall yesterday. After the news spread, a large crowd gathered at the site. Considering public faith, the idols were consecrated at the same location, and devotees are visiting the site for darshan."
Archaeological Context and Theories
Archaeology researcher Suresh Chopne offered insights into the historical context. He noted that the region was earlier under the rule of the Bahmani kingdom or Delhi Sultanate. During that period, many temples were destroyed.
At the same time, the Yadava dynasty ruled Vidarbha. Chopne suggested that villagers may have buried these idols underground for safekeeping. This action could have prevented them from being damaged or destroyed during turbulent times.
The idols are aesthetically crafted and reflect fine ancient sculptural art. Their craftsmanship indicates an origin in an ancient period. The discovery adds to the archaeological wealth of the Kalamb region.
