Declining Water in Panchaganga River in Kolhapur in Maharashtra Reveal Ancient Murtis and Temples

Panchaganga River in Kolhapur in Maharashtra is currently under the impact of drought in western part of India. The water levels have receded revealing ancient temples, ghats and murtis (idols). The temples and murtis revealed are more than 1000 years old. An important Ghat on the banks named Mayur Ban is now visible.

People who are living in the region are now cleaning and sprucing up the ancient temples and murtis.

The residing water has also revealed some sati stones.

Times of India reports

Some sati stones have also been found in the water. Sati, the ancient Indian tradition of forceful immolation of a widow on her husband's funeral pyre, was banned in 1829. Though veergals are known to this part of south Maharashtra, sighting Sati stones, carvings in the memory of the widow who was burned alive, has surprised experts.

Malekar, along with senior researcher Umakant Raninga and A N Damle, secretary of Itihas Sankalan Samiti, Kolhapur visited the ghats and tried to identify the places mentioned in Karvir Mahatmya (greatness of Kolhapur), a book considered to be written as early as 1730. 

Raninga said there are evidences of civilization on the banks of the Panchganga dating back to 200 BC. The temples and their architecture have been documented in Karvir Puranas and other religious books, according to him.

We are now able to see Mayur Ban, a confluence of the Panchganga and the then unnamed small river, now known as Dudhali nullah that is mentioned in the Karvir Mahatmya. Remains of a Kartik temple built on the confluence are still visible," Raninga added.