Dakshina Kannada: A remarkable archaeological discovery was made in the village of Batrabailu, situated in Thekkar village of Belthangady taluk in Karnataka’s Dakshina Kannada district. Villagers excavating a piece of land stumbled upon a damaged idol of Lord Gopalakrishna, believed to date back to the 12th century, offering a glimpse into the existence of a temple that thrived about 700 years ago.
The 12th Century Treasure
The ancient idol of Lord Gopalakrishna, with its centuries-old history, adds an exciting dimension to the village’s heritage. The villagers had recently formed the Sri Gopalakrishna Temple Batrabailu Seva Trust in May 2022 with the intention of constructing a new temple in the village. Their conviction that a temple once stood on the land in Batrabailu fueled their determination.
A Dream Revelation
In an intriguing twist of fate, an industrialist from Bengaluru, Lakshman Chennappa, who purchased land in the village adjacent to the disputed area, had a dream that provided a clue about the presence of a Gopalakrishna idol in a well on the government-owned land. This revelation, shared with the villagers, piqued their interest.
Astrological Insights
Two years ago, the villagers organized a ‘thamboola prashne,’ inviting an astrologer who suggested the likelihood of an ancient temple on the premises. Belthangady MLA Harish Poonja played a pivotal role in assisting the villagers in transferring 20 cents of land to the endowment department for the construction of a Sri Gopalakrishna Temple, a significant achievement reached in February of the current year. MLA Poonja also successfully resolved land-related issues through negotiations.
The Unearthing of History
The excavation work on the land began on a Sunday, and to the villagers’ astonishment, the idol of Sri Gopalakrishna was unearthed. A vaastu expert who examined the idol concluded that it likely belongs to the 12th century. This remarkable discovery has inspired the villagers to arrange another astrological consultation on November 20 to finalize their plans for laying the foundation of the new temple. Simultaneously, they are actively conducting searches for other ancient artifacts related to the temple within the premises.
The unearthing of the Lord Gopalakrishna idol serves as a testament to the rich history of the region and the determination of the villagers to preserve their cultural heritage through the construction of a new temple.
