The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Archaeology Department plans tie-up for Jain sites

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Wednesday, Jul 09, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Archaeology Department plans tie-up for Jain sites

Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD: To conserve findings from different sites related to Jainism in the State and ensure appropriate studies of artefacts that were dug out, the Department of Archaeology is planning to tie up with Sri Shankeshwar Parshawanath Giriraj Trust. The department is entering into a MoU with the trust for the purpose.

The State has several Jain sites spread over different districts and amid apprehensions over the safety of the relics from them the department hopes to offer better conservation by joining hands with the trust. Recently, the trust also entered into a partnership with the Acharya Nagarjuna University to set up a museum, ‘Atmavallabh Jain Museum Centre for Comparative Religious Studies’ at an estimated cost of Rs.35 lakh on the university campus.

“The Sri Shankeshwar Parshawanath Giriraj Trust is keen on proper preservation of the findings from the site and also initiate a series of activities related to it. Our mutual interest and their financial collaboration will be beneficial for both,” said P.Chenna Reddy, Archaeology Department Director.

Other activities

Apart from conservation aspect, other activities planned include academic conferences, promotion of studies on Jainism and similar associated events. Initiatives would also be put in place for the safety of the findings related to Jainism from different sites as there were reports of antique Jain sculptures getting stolen and smuggled, said Prof. Reddy.

Important Jainism sites of the State include Kanakondla near Guntakal, Danavalapadu in Kadapa district, Keesaragutta in Rangareddy district and Sangamaiahkonda in Srikakulam. “We had a meeting with trust officials and hope to work out scheduled and other details in a week’s time,” informed Prof. Reddy.

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