Archaeological Explorations in District Mandya, Karnataka
Archaeological Explorations in District Mandya, Karnataka R. N. Kumaran1 1. Archaeological Survey of India, Bangalore Circle, Kendriya Sadan, 5th Floor, F – Wing, Koramangala, Bengaluru – 560 034, Karnataka, India (Email: rnkumaran@ gmail.com) Received: 18 August 2019; Revised: 25 September 2019; Accepted: 29 October 2019 Heritage: Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies in Archaeology 7 (2019): 970‐990 Abstract: Karnataka is rich in archaeological vestiges which date from Pre‐historic to till date. The recent intensive explorations in the District Mandya, particularly in Taluk Maddur have revealed rich archaeological vestiges of varied nature. The same are discussed here. Keywords: Explorations, Maddur, Mandya, Karnataka, Temple, Hero Stone, Sati Stone Introduction Karnataka is rich in archaeological vestiges dating from prehistoric times. Intensive filed surveys and excavations at few sites have revealed the immense archaeological wealth of this region. Recently, archaeological explorations were untaken in Mandya district. The district is almost plain but for a few out crops of rock standing out as prominent ridges. On an average, the district is between 762m to 915m MSL. The only mountain range in the district is in the Biligirirangan range. The Cauvery breaks through this range near Shivasamudra, where the river takes a leap forming the two waterfalls, Gagana Chukki and Bara Chukki. Geology The rock formations in the district belong to the most ancient period of the earth’s history and are divisible into two groups – (i) the Dharwar schist which occur as narrow linear belts and (ii) the Peninsular gneisses and granites. The drainage of the district is towards the Bay of Bengal. Owing to either rocky or shallow beds, none of the rivers in this district is navigable.
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