Driven by curiosity to explore the unexplained, a young physics lecturer has claimed to have cracked the mystery behind the formation of shadow of a pillar falling over the Shivalingam at the historical Chaya Someshwara temple at Panagal near Nalgonda.
Chaya Someshwara temple, an epitome of architectural marvel, derived its name from the mystifying shadow (Chaya). The incredible ‘shadow – undisturbed', the origin of which puzzled visitors since times immemorial, is a unique feature of the magnificent temple. Built by Kunduru Cholas in 12th century, the temple, well known as Thrikutalayam, testifies the amazing creativity and skill of its architects.
One of the Garbhagudis (santum sanctorum), which is in the west and facing east, designated as the main temple of the Thrikutalayam contains a constant shadow in the form of a single pillar from dawn to dusk.
Throwing light on the mysterious phenomenon, Manohar Goud Seshagani, a physics lecturer of Suryapet, revealed that the properties of light particularly scattering was responsible for the formation of the single shadow. “The pillars in front of the Garbhagudi (west) are placed in such a way that they allow formation of single shadow by scattering of light irrespective of the position of the sun.”
Mr. Manohar demonstrated this by designing a working model of the temple. The application of properties of light in framing the pattern of the pillars by the designer of the temple over six hundred years ago reveals the scientific consciousness of our architects, Manohar remarked.
