Historic Panchadarla Under Threat
Historic Panchadarla is being sacrificed for commercial exploitation. Illegal mining is ravaging the ancient heritage site in the Elamanchili region of Visakhapatnam district. A delegation visited the mining area to inspect the ongoing excavation and condemned the destruction of a site intrinsically linked to the Mahabharata.
The excavation of hills in a sacred landscape raises a fundamental question—who authorised the destruction of a place of such historical and spiritual significance? Mining carried out with the arrogance of power is unacceptable. All mining permissions must be cancelled immediately, and Panchadarla must be declared a No-Mining Zone.
Is Destroying History the New Definition of Development?
Is erasing history in the name of development? Is turning thousands of years of spiritual heritage into gravel the benchmark of governance?
These questions arise as illegal mining continues at the historic Panchadarla site near Yelamanchili in Visakhapatnam district. Botsa Satyanarayana, Kannababu, Gudivada Amarnath and others inspected the mining area and demanded immediate action to protect the sacred heritage site.
A Sacred Site Linked to the Mahabharata
Panchadarla holds immense historical and spiritual significance. According to local tradition, the five sacred springs at the site were created by Lord Krishna during the Pandavas’ exile, making Panchadarla a revered place of worship for devotees for centuries.
Excavating the surrounding hills not only scars the landscape but also threatens the existence of these sacred springs and the heritage they represent.
Hills Gouged, Sacred Springs Under Threat
Mining is allegedly being carried out far beyond permissible limits under official patronage. Massive pits have been carved into the hills, permanently damaging the sanctity of this sacred landscape.
Streams that once flowed with crystal-clear water are now said to be running muddy. A heritage site that should have been preserved for future generations is instead being stripped away for commercial gain.
Declare Panchadarla a No-Mining Zone
Panchadarla is not merely a cluster of hills—it is a priceless civilisational, spiritual and cultural heritage site. Allowing indiscriminate mining to continue would erase an irreplaceable chapter of Andhra Pradesh’s history.
All mining permissions must be revoked immediately, and Panchadarla must be declared a No-Mining Zone to safeguard its historical, ecological and spiritual legacy.
