Location
Keesaragutta, a famous Shaivate pilgrimage centre is located about 40 kms from Hyderabad in the Keesara mandal of the Ranga Reddy District.
Description
Keesaragutta, which was also known as Kesaragiri, was found on a hill, enclosed by a fort wall constructed during the Vishnukundin Period. The presiding deity at Keesaragutta is Ramalingeswara installed by Lord Rama (Parasu Rama) according to ancient texts.
Based on the large number of Vishnukudin coins excavated, the site is said to date back to the 4th-5th Century AD. Oter artefacts excavated include Garbhapatra, Lajjagouri stone plaque (Mother goddess), stucco figures, crystal linga, terracotta linga, terracotta ear spools, sprinklers, beads, shall bangles, pottery etc.
Excavations at this site exposed several structures with large sized bricks comparable to those found at Nagarjunakonda and Yeleswaram in lkshvaku levels. Brick structures square on plan were exposed in the excavations. The brick used for construction of these structures measured 45 x 25 x 71 cms.
At the top one of the rock-cut caves, an early Telugu label inscription reading as ‘Thulachuvanru’ was noticed. Interestingly, large number of Lingas with brick platform are noticed in rows on the top of the hillock.
Existing Condition
Today, the site contains ruins of the rooms and fortification walls. The excavated artefacts of the site are located at the Centenary Heritage Museum, Hyderabad.
References
1. Source : https://heritage.telangana.gov.in/monuments/keesaragutta-site/
2. Centenary Heritage Museum, Hyderabad, maintained by the Department of Heritage, Telangana.
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