An exciting discovery has been made in Cholemarri village, located 22 kilometers from Penukonda in the Sri Sathya Sai district of Andhra Pradesh. Historian MyNaa Swamy, who was researching the history of the Nolamba Pallavas, unearthed a wealth of ancient artifacts, including inscriptions, hero stones, and idols of Shiva Linga and Nandi.
These remarkable findings shed light on a fierce battle that took place in Cholemarri between the Nolamba Pallavas and the Bhana-Vaidambas in the ninth century AD. Among the most significant discoveries is an inscription of Mahendra Nolambadhi Raja, the ruler of Henjeru (present-day Hemavati near Madakasira). This inscription, along with large hero stones embedded near the Anjaneyaswamy temple, provides valuable insights into the region’s history.
Historian Swamy further noted the presence of a Telugu inscription dating back to the Vijayanagara Dynasty, inscribed on the hero stones. He emphasized that the inscription, located east of Cholemarri village, dates back to the reign of Nolamba Pallava King Mahendra Nolambadhi Raja (875-897) and is written in an ancient Kannada script.
In light of these remarkable discoveries, Swamy urged the authorities of the Archeology Departments of both the Central and State governments to conduct excavations in the vicinity of Cholemarri village. He expressed the belief that such excavations could potentially uncover numerous historical monuments that lie buried beneath the soil, providing further insights into the region’s rich and vibrant past.