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Ancient 7th-Century 'Vishnukundina' Dynasty Brick Temple Dedicated to Narasimha Uncovered in Andhra Pradesh’s Palnadu District

📅 April 13, 2026 📰 Heritage India Gazette
Ancient 7th-Century 'Vishnukundina' Dynasty Brick Temple Dedicated to Narasimha Uncovered in Andhra Pradesh’s Palnadu District

Archaeologists have unearthed the foundations of a 7th-century brick temple in the Palnadu district of Andhra Pradesh, attributed to the Vishnukundina dynasty. The structure, remarkably preserved beneath layers of riverine silt, features a unique cruciform ground plan and is dedicated to Lord Narasimha, evidenced by a rare limestone pilaster depicting the deity in a seated yogic posture.

The excavation has revealed that the temple was built using oversized bricks typical of the late Post-Gupta transition period, held together by a sophisticated lime-and-sand mortar. This discovery is significant as it bridges the architectural gap between the earlier Ikshvaku brick structures and the later monolithic rock-cut experiments of the Pallavas, showcasing a localized evolution of sacred space in the Krishna River basin.

Original source: Heritage India Gazette