In June 2026, a rare four-sided stone pillar depicting Buddha Parinirvana was discovered in Bhimsari village, Adilabad district, Telangana

In June 2026, a rare four-sided stone pillar depicting Buddha Parinirvana was discovered in Bhimsari village, Adilabad district, Telangana

¨     In June 2026, a rare four-sided stone pillar depicting Buddha Parinirvana was discovered in Bhimsari village, Adilabad district, Telangana.

¨     The pillar features four half-relief carvings, one on each side.

¨     It represents a unique combination of Buddhist, Vaishnavite, and Shaivite traditions on a single monument.

¨     Buddha Parinirvana refers to the final passing away of Gautama Buddha at Kushinagar.

¨     In Indian sculpture, Buddha in Parinirvana is typically depicted reclining on his right side, with his right hand placed under his head.

¨     The depiction on the Adilabad pillar follows the iconographic description found in the Parinibbana Sutta, a Pali Buddhist text.

¨     The four sides of the pillar depict Buddha in Parinirvana posture, Vishnu Sayana Murti, a heroic warrior figure, and Uma Lingana Murti, showing Lord Shiva embracing Uma (Parvati).

¨     The depiction of these three religious traditions on a single pillar is considered extremely rare in Telangana’s archaeological heritage.

¨     Based on its stylistic features, historians have dated the sculpture to the 10th century CE.

¨     During the 10th century CE, Buddhist, Shaivite, and Vaishnavite traditions coexisted in the Deccan region.

¨     The discovery was made by Roddavaru Prithviraj, a history lecturer and a member of the Kotha Telangana Charitra Brundam.