Udupi :  At Paniyadi, a suburb of Udupi reknowned for Anantha Padbhanabha temple of Puttige Mutt was under the renovation. it was during the renovation work in progress a cave was found opened near the Garbhagriha of cella of the temple in northern side. I visited the site today and verified it. By the examination I confirmed that it was a Rock Cut Cave of Megalithic period. similar Megalithic Rock Cut Caves found at Pavanje Subramanya Temple, Sooda Subramanya temple, Santuru Subramanya temple and else where in Coastal Karnataka. The Paniyadi Megalithic belongs to 800 B.C. and of 2000 years old in antiquity.

This discoverey is unique to understand the antiquity of Phani’s. Pani+hadi>Paniyadi means settlement of Phani’s. Phani’s referred in Mahabharata and Purana’s as an ancient original inhabitants of this country. In Udupi district, the place names like Paniyadi and Paniyuru indicate the existance of Phani’s settlement in the remote past. More then that, the Phani’s were famous for their Naga worship and Naga is their totamic emblem also.

Anantha Padbhanabha the presiding deity of Paniyadi is also related with the Naga worship. Iconographically he is Para Vasudeva a Vaisnavate god. He is sitting on the Naga coil and Naga hood stand high on his head. Similar icon found in Keelinje near Udupi belongs to 10th century A.D. Paniyadi deity belongs to 14th century A.D.