Archive · 4 Oct 2026
Rare Varuna Sculpture Draws Visitors to Panagal Museum
A very old statue of Varuna, who is regarded as the god of rain, is on display at a museum in Panagal.
Many people are coming to see it.
The statue was carved from white stone and was found near Nagarjuna Sagar.
It shows Varuna with a crocodile chariot behind him.
Officials say statues of Varuna like this are rare in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
The sculpture has drawn attention as rainfall has been deficient and people perform rituals asking for rain.
A priest explained that early Vedic worship often honoured nature’s forces through fire rituals and prayers instead of standalone statues.
A rare 17th-century sculpture of Varuna is attracting visitors to the Archaeology Department museum at Panagal.
The museum is in Panagal, Nalgonda district.
The white-stone sculpture was found at Yeleshwaram near Nagarjuna Sagar during archaeology department excavations.
It depicts Varuna with a crocodile chariot behind him and is considered rare in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
Interest has increased amid deficient rainfall and rituals seeking Varuna’s blessings; a priest said standalone Varuna idols were rare in early Vedic worship.
- Who
- Visitors are viewing a sculpture of Varuna at the Archaeology Department museum; priest K. Papayya Acharyulu commented on its rarity.
- What
- A rare 17th-century white-stone sculpture of Varuna is drawing renewed attention.
- When
- The sculpture dates to the 17th century; the articles do not specify when it was found or put on display.
- Where
- The sculpture is displayed at the Archaeology Department museum in Panagal, Nalgonda district; it was found at Yeleshwaram near Nagarjuna Sagar.
- Why
- It has attracted attention amid deficient rainfall and rituals seeking Varuna’s blessings.
Sculpture’s significance
Historical worship context
How Varuna was traditionally worshipped
Sculpture’s significance
The sculpture offers a rare physical depiction of Varuna, and officials say such sculptures are uncommon in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
Historical worship context
Priest K. Papayya Acharyulu said standalone Varuna idols were rare because early Vedic worship focused on yagnas and formless cosmic forces, including through fire rituals and mantras.
- Sculpture
- 17th-century depiction of Varuna
- Material
- White stone
- Current location
- Archaeology Department museum, Panagal
- Discovery site
- Yeleshwaram near Nagarjuna Sagar
- Depiction
- Varuna with a crocodile chariot behind him
- Regional rarity
- Officials said Varuna sculptures are rare in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh
- Context
- Renewed interest amid deficient rainfall and rituals seeking rain