Pandavula Gutta, a geological marvel older than the Himalayan hills was recently recognized as the sole Geo-heritage site in Telangana.
About Pandavula Gutta:
- Pandavula Konda is a site of Paleolithic cave paintings in Jayashankar Bhupalpally district in Telangana.
- It was first discovered in 1990 and is also called Pandavula Gutta or Regonda Mandal.
- A series of hillocks running north to south known as Pandava Guhalu (Caves) or Pandava Guttalu (Hills).
- These cave paintings offer a rare glimpse into the prehistoric man’s rock art identified on walls and ceilings of caves, rock shelters, and isolated boulders.
- A few natural paintings on these rocks depict the lifestyle and their hunting methods.
- It includes wildlife like Bison, Antelope, Tiger, Leopard, peacocks, lizards, frogs, fishes, deer, etc., and geometrical designs and impressions in green, red, yellow, and white pigments.
- Symbols like swastika, circles and squares, weapons such as bows, arrows, swords and lancer are present in these paintings.
- Some of the images were superimposed, depicting highly developed anatomical features and curves.
- Inscriptions from Rastrakutan times and fresco paintings of the late medieval period have also been reported from these hillocks.
- Pandavula Gutta is rich in terms of number of paintings, rock shelters and its habitation, right from the Mesolithic to medieval times.
- Its name is derived from the portrayal of Pandavas of Mahabharatha on one of the boulders as they spent some time in these caves.
- The shelters are locally known as Mekkabanda, Mugessabanda, Pandi Parvatha, Shakthi Parvatham, Jyothi Parvatham, Yanadula Guha, Eduru Pandavulu, Kuntidevi, Pancha Pandavlu.
About Geo-Heritage Sites:
- TheGeological Survey of India (GSI), under the Ministry of Mines, declares geo-heritage sites/ national geological monuments for protection and maintenance.
- The GSI or the respective state governments take necessary measures to protect these sites.
- Geo-heritage sites contain geo-relics and phenomena, stratigraphic type sections, geological structures, and geomorphic landforms of national and international interest.
- It includes such portion of land adjoining the site, that may be required for their conservation or access to such sites.
Some of the important Geo-heritage sites in India include:
- Volcanogenic bedded Barytes in Cuddapah, Andhra Pradesh
- Erra Matti Dibbalu in Vishakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
- Varkala Cliff Section in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerela
- Sedimentary Structures- Eddy Markings, Kadan Dam, Gujarat
- Barr Conglomerate in Pali District, Rajasthan
- Lonar Lake in Buldana District, Maharashtra
- Siwalik Fossil Park in Sirmur, Himachal Pradesh
- Nagahill Ophiolite, Nagaland
- Stromatolite bearing Dolomite / Limestone of Buxa, Sikkim.
Ref:Source
| UPSC IAS Preparation Resources | |
| Current Affairs Analysis | Topperspedia |
| GS Shots | Simply Explained |
| Daily Flash Cards | Daily Quiz |