Paniyadi, a place of worship since 2000 years: Prof T Murugeshi

Udupi, April 01, 2021: Archeologist Prof T Murugeshi has opined the cave found near Paniyadi temple as a Megalithic site dating back to about 800 BC.

Prof Murugeshi, Associate Professor, Dept, of Ancient History and Archaeology, MSRS College, Shirva visited Paniyadi temple today morning.

Paniyadi, a suburb of Udupi is famous for Sri Anantha Padmanabha temple. During the renovation work a cave was found on March 23 opened near the Garbhagriha in northern side.

The cave is about three feet below the ground level.

“After examining the spot I came to a conclusion that it is a rock cut cave of Megalithic period. This must have been a place of worship even during Megalithic age,” he told The Canara Post.

He said that similar Megalithic Rock Cut Caves have been found at Pavanje Subramanya Temple, Sooda Subramanya temple, Santuru Subramanya temple and other places in Coastal Karnataka. He dates the cave to 800 B.C.

Also read: Cave found near Paniyadi Temple creates public curiosity

This discovery is unique to understand the antiquity of Phani, a community of prehistoric and Vedic era.

Pani+hadi=Paniyadi means settlement of Phani’s. Mahabharata and Puranas have reference to Panis.

“They are ancient original inhabitants of this country. In Udupi district, the place names like Paniyadi and Paniyuru indicate the existance of Phanis settlement in the remote past. They were known for their Naga worship,” Prof Murugeshi said.

“Anantha Padmanabha, the presiding deity of Paniyadi is also related with the Naga worship. He is sitting on the Naga. Similar icon is found at Keelinje near Udupi which belongs to 10th century A.D. The idol of Paniyadi deity is likely to date back to 14th century A.D,” he added.

The temple is under the administration of Sri Puthige Matha.