File:Hero stone, Viragal Panagal, Telangana India 2.jpg

English: Panagal (Nalgonda) region of Telangana state has been a major Shaivism pilgrimage center. Many clusters and ruins of pre-14th century Hindu temples and Buddhist stupas are found in the region and in a band extending from western Telangana through northern Chhattisgarh state.

In Panagal, artworks include Buddhist, Shiva, VIshnu and Shakti traditions of Hinduism along with other Vedic deities such as Surya. Copper plate inscriptions, hero stones and other artworks with inscriptions are also found in this region. Epigraphical evidence and translations suggest that these are from post 4th-century and pre-14th century, with few exceptions that are older in Brahmi script.

The hero stones and broken temple parts show effects of weathering and uniform erosion. The deity and Buddha related artwork, however, show many signs of intentional damage to face, ears, limbs or chopped out Nandi heads during 14th- to 18th-century regional wars between Islamic sultanates and Hindu kingdoms.

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