3 weeks ago
Rare Nagini and Garuda Sculptures Unearthed Near Hampi Jain Temple
People who study old things dug up two very special stone statues in a place called Hampi in India.
Hampi is a very old city that is protected by a special group called UNESCO.
The statues were found right next to a Jain temple.
One statue is of Nagini, a creature from old stories that is part woman and part snake.
The other statue is of Garuda, a giant magical bird from ancient tales.
Both statues are quite old and are still in pretty good shape.
They are not very big — the bird statue is about as wide as a long ruler.
These statues show that people long ago respected different religions and worked well together.
Hampi was once the capital of a powerful kingdom called the Vijayanagara Empire.
Experts will now study the statues carefully to learn more about the people who made them.
Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) specialists recovered two rare stone sculptures depicting Nagini and Garuda during excavation work beside the Jain temple at Hampi.
The Nagini sculpture shows a female guardian combining human and serpent attributes, while the Garuda is rendered as an eagle-shaped divine being from Hindu tradition.
The Garuda figure measures 32 cm in width and 37 cm in length; the Nagini measures 30 cm in width and 51 cm in length.
Both sculptures are in fair condition and are being formally recorded as part of ongoing archaeological work around the temple.
Officials view the finds as reflecting the religious tolerance, architectural skill and cultural amity that characterised the Vijayanagara Empire.
- Who
- Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) specialists
- What
- Unearthed two rare stone sculptures depicting Nagini and Garuda during excavations beside the Jain temple
- Where
- Jain temple premises at Hampi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- When
- August 10
- Why
- The finds are regarded as reflecting the religious tolerance, architectural skill and cultural amity of the Vijayanagara Empire and are being studied as part of ongoing excavation work
Key facts
- Agency
- Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)
- Location
- Jain temple premises, Hampi, UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Discovery date
- August 10
- Sculptures found
- Nagini and Garuda
- Garuda dimensions
- 32 cm wide, 37 cm long
- Nagini dimensions
- 30 cm wide, 51 cm long
- Condition
- Both in fair condition
- Historical context
- Hampi was the former capital of the Vijayanagara Empire
Sources
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