Mysore, July 23, 2013: The ancient site of Talakad continues to beckon archaeologists and explorers hoping to uncover the world buried in the sands of time. And now, the Department of Archaeology, Museums and Heritage will excavate a Jain basadi reckoned to have been built in the 8th century. R. Gopal, Director (Archaeology), told The Hindu that excavations conducted in the past had revealed a portion of the Jain basadi, but its importance and significance remained unclear.

“It is only after it is completely excavated that we can ascertain its importance,” he said.

Though a State-protected site, the department has to secure permission from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Dr. Gopal has applied for the permission. He said that in all probability, the excavation would commence in October and be completed by March.

“The importance of the excavation, which may cost around Rs. 3 lakh, lies in the reconstruction of the history of the region that spans more than 1,500 years,” said Dr. Gopal.

One of the oldest sites

Talakad is one of the oldest historical sites in the State and was the capital of the Gangas in the 6th century.

The Keerthi Narayana temple, which is now in ruins, and is being restored by the Archaeology Department slab by slab, was constructed to mark the Hoysala king’s victory over the Cholas in 1,116 CE.

This will be the third major excavation at the site since the 1990s when systematic efforts were made to rediscover the buried town. Excavations unearthed portions of temples, including the Keerthinarayana temple, Pataleshwara and Maruleshwara. In recent years, the department has taken recourse to remote sensing and satellite imagery to explain the sand dunes, which are attributed to the shifting course of the Cauvery in the last 500 years.

Source: The Hindu, DT. July 23, 2013.