The unexplored relics of Rayalaseema Premium

Rayalaseema’s megalithic sites reveal a rich history, neglected by govt & locals. Pillared dolmen & stone circles in Tirupati, 'Devara Yeddhu' in Palem, 'Veerla Baaduva Bavi' in Mydukur & 'Hero stone' in Puttakanuma are relics of cherished heritage, awaiting exploration.

The numerous monuments and heritage sites in the Rayalaseema region, comprising the southern districts of Andhra Pradesh, stand as tall reminders of the region’s historical significance. The culture in the region also greatly reflects the mark that the many dynasties that once ruled the land made on its people.

However, the burial sites from the megalithic era spread across the region reveal that the land’s history is much richer than many know. The region also finds its references in Hindu mythology.

Tirupati district is dotted with anthropomorphic burial sites, which indicate the existence of human civilisation at the place during the megalithic era. These burial sites are said to be the largest collection in the State. However, most are in a state of neglect, with neither the government nor the locals showing interest in protecting the vital clues about our antecedents, which deserve to be preserved as relics of cherished heritage.

The most prominent relic is the ‘pillared dolmen’ of the megalithic era, found at the little-known Mallayyagaripalle village, 20 km west of Tirupati. The structure, locally referred to as ‘Pandava Gullu’ or ‘Pandavula Banda’ in memory of the Pandavas, is estimated to be 2,500 years old.

Compared to other districts, the erstwhile combined Chittoor district has an array of such structures. “This could be an indication of the presence of humans living in groups during the megalithic period (500–300 BC) in this region,” observes noted archaeologist Sivakumar Challa, who is associated with the Archaeology Research Group (ARG).

Rampant granite mining around the Chandragiri area wreaked havoc on the pillared dolmen with rock art beneath the capstone at Mallayyagaripalle. The site was almost razed down, but the timely alarm the local villagers and anthropologists raised stopped the mining activity.

The Mallayyagaripalle structure is a cist burial chamber. Such chambers are built by arranging slabs neatly broken from huge stones at a time when there were no proper tools. There is another endangered megalith monument in Palem village near Kallur, which resembles a bull’s horn. Called locally as ‘Devara Yeddhu’, the site has suffered repeated damage due to clandestine excavation by treasure hunters. Also, an electric post was fixed very close to the site, in a classic act of official apathy.