Stones of sirval tell a woeful saga

GULBARGA: Sirval, a remote village in Shahapur taluk of Yadgir district, about 85 Kms from Gulbarga, has a number of temples which are all in a dilapidated condition. The temples are crying for attention and safety. But no one seems to have bothered to take care of these temples so far. Those who enter the village find temples on each and every step and the elders of the village accept that they have constructed their houses on some temples. They have also used the materials of ancient temples, but nobody has, so far, bothered to protect these monuments belonging to the period of Rashtrakoota and Chalukya dynasties. During the reign of the Rashtrakootas, Sirval was one of the important towns. In 939 A D, during the reign of Rashtrakoota king Akalavarsha Krishna III, Mahasamanta Duddha was governing Ededore and Chandayya was the Nalmunda of Sagaranadu. Sirval was situated in Sagaranadu. Ededore comprised the land between the rivers Bheema and Krishna. The Department of Archaeology has found many articles which belonged to stone age here. There are 46 monuments in this small village including five wells, seven Koshthagaras or maths and 34 temples. Most of them are in group and some are scattered around. A few temples are in a good condition including Siddeshwara temple which is well preserved. The other temples include Jain temple, Malikarjun temple, Surya temple and Kumbara temple. A few temples are in ruins while some are occupied by miscreants allegedly for illegal activities. Sirval is the only site containing such a large group of monuments that belong to Rashtrakoota period. Most of the temples are dilapidated. There is no worship in these temples. The dilapidated Nadayya and Nanayya temples attract a number of visitors but no one performs puja there. A majority of these temples are dedicated to Lord Shiva. One temple is dedicated to Surya (the Sun God) and another temple is for Jain faith. But the sculptural representation indicates that Vaishnavism also played an important role at this place. Sculptures in relief carved on the monuments are mainly narrative in nature. Among the sculptures depicting stories from Panchatantra are very important. An inscription found in the village mentions that Silahara chief Singidevarasa was ruling this area in 1187 A D. It gives a lengthy description of miracles of Revanasiddha whose feet were washed before making some donations to Siddhasteshwara temple, now known as Siddeshwara or Siddalingeshwara temple. This temple appears to have been constructed in memory of Shatimayya, father of Revanasiddha. This is a very huge temple of Panchakoota type consisting of five Garbhagruhas (sanctum sanctorums) and four Sabhamantaps (halls). Revanasiddha was a famous Veerashaiva saint.     The visitors to the village would find only basements of many temples, the pillars and the stones of the some temples, including the deity, in scattered conditions. The masonry on the exterior of the superstructure of the temples is also damaged at many places, the towers of many temples have been severely damaged and weeds have grown all around temples. Some temples have become dumping yards for the people. The villagers have encroached many temples and built houses on them. Sirval Stands for SirvalDr M S Sirval, the only person of the Sirval who has completed PhD on ‘The Cultural Study of Inscriptions of Gulbarga District’ is fighting all alone to preserve and protect the cultural glory of his village facing the wrath of the elders and rich persons of the village as many of the villagers have either encroached the temples or have started mining activities near the monuments. He has taken the issue to the highest level and now has succeeded in attracting the eyes of government towards his village. Sirval told The New Indian Express that the villagers are innocent and they do not know the cultural heritage of the place. He said he does not mind the opposition of the mining lobby to his efforts. “At last, the government has opened its eyes and has come forward to protect the monuments of the village. I feel happy as my efforts have reached to their logical end,” Sirval, who is a lecturer in Sagar village of Shahapur taluk, says.“If the government makes mind, Sirval could be developed into a tourist spot by developing it in a scientific and systematic manner by protecting the monuments by bringing back their original shape,” he says.   He has also suggested to establish a museum at Sirval which should contain all the inscriptions and sculptures found in Shahapur, Sagar and Sirval.HKADB Takes InterestSecretary of the Hyderabad-Karnataka Area Development Board (HKADB) Shalini Rajanish has shown keen interest in preserving and protecting the rich glory of the Sirval village. Speaking to The New Indian Express, she said that she has visited the village a few days ago and was shocked to see its condition. Shalini said as per her instructions mining activities have been completely stopped in the Sirval village and notices have been issued to the villagers to vacate the encroachments of old monuments. Yadgir district administration would take up the civic works and clearing of encroachments in Sirval and HKADB would examine on how to help the village to preserve its lost glory and efforts are in this regard, she explained.   Shalini said that she has written a letter to National Cultural Fund of the Union Ministry of Culture for the preservation, restoration and development of historical monuments of Sirval. She further said that she has received a letter from Shobhita Punja, Chief Executive Officer of National Cultural Fund, to send the detailed proposal for developing Sirval, including works to be done and the estimated cost for implementing those works.