Megalithic Portal: Latest from India

Eclipse commemoration pavilions in and around Kanchipuram

liesbethpankaja — Wed, 12 Aug 2026 17:50:49 GMT

]]>A suggestion from one of our contributors that these carvings in India of a cobra approaching this disc carving represent a solar eclipse. Liesbeth continues: Many years ago Raja and I noticed reliefs depicting many different curious fish on a ceiling in the Kailasanatha temple in Kanchipuram. After Raja’s discovery of the eclipse depictions in a pavilion near Mamallapuram and in the Sangameshvara temple in Bhavani (Tamil Nadu) we decided to go back to Kanchipuram and check out this ceiling.

Mudumala

Anne T — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 16:06:09 GMT

]]>80 standing stones dated to approximately 3,500-4,000 years ago. The site includes stone circles and boulder formations, some with rock art. Certain stones align with the sun during equinoxes and solstices, indicating deliberate astronomical planning alongside the sky-map carvings (details of these on our page). Added to India's UNESCO Tentative World Heritage List in 2025.

Usgalimal Rock Engravings

Andy B — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 19:20:38 GMT

]]>A petroglyph site with more than 100 distinct figures spread over an area of approximately 500 square metres. The carvings include a classical 7-circuit labyrinth, various animals, a possible 'mother goddess' figure, and a pair of footprints. This labyrinth carving is made up of seven concentric circles with a single path that flows into itself, the end of the line linking back to its beginning. The design shows striking similarities to labyrinth motifs found across the ancient world [perhaps too striking - MegP Ed?] It should be pointed out that these carvings are very difficult to date definitely.

Kota Labyrinth Petroglyphs

Andy B — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 19:30:14 GMT

]]>Stone-carved labyrinths found in at least four of the seven villages of the Kota tribe in the Nilgiri Mountains of Tamil Nadu. The labyrinths are incised into rocks within the sacred temple grounds (Shiva/Ayynor temples) and meeting places (Kalaval) of the Kota villages. The carvings are small, typically 15 to 25 cm in diameter, of classical 7-circuit form. The Kota call the labyrinth symbol "Kote" (fortress) and regard it as a game whose rules have been forgotten, though it is associated with the protection of the village.

Kundani Stone Labyrinth

Andy B — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 19:29:18 GMT

]]>A walkable stone labyrinth approximately 8.5 metres in diameter, constructed from small flat stones set in the ground, with its entrance to the north. Situated beside the Baire Gauni, a natural feature developed into a water reservoir, on the Devarakundani malai, an elevated rocky area near the ruins of the former town of Kundani in Tamil Nadu. This was at the time of its documentation in 2006 described as possibly the only walkable stone labyrinth known in India.

Vembadithalam Labyrinths

Andy B — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 19:28:27 GMT

]]>Two stone labyrinths 17.5 metres apart, located near the town of Vembadithalam close to the city of Salem in Tamil Nadu. Locally known as Ezhu Suthu Kottai (Seven-Turn Fort or Seven-Turn Labyrinth), they consist of spiralling circular stone patterns set on a low mound beside a lakebed. Both are of standard classical 7-circuit form, with striking resemblance to the circular labyrinths depicted on Greek coins from Knossos.

Boramani Labyrinth

Andy B — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 18:35:56 GMT

]]>India's largest known ancient circular labyrinth, a stone structure measuring ~15 m (50 ft) in diameter has been discovered in India. Composed of 15 concentric stone circuits - the highest number ever documented in an Indian circular labyrinth - with a distinctive spiral at its centre. It is estimated as around 2,000 years old, from the Satavahana dynasty (approximately 200 BC to 200 CE), a period of extensive trade between the Indian subcontinent and the Roman world. We have added a dozen more of these ancient labyrinths with many thanks to the labyrinth journal Caerdroia - browse the new pages here.

Kalambi Labyrinths II, III and IV

Andy B — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 17:51:30 GMT

]]>A group of three stone labyrinths standing within 20 metres of each other on rocky ground in the pasture area known as Kodyache Maal, 1.6 kilometres northeast of Kalambi village. All three are beside the cart road between Pusesawali and Aundh via Ganeshwadi, in Khatav Tehsil of Satara district, within the catchment area between the Krishna and Yerala rivers.

Kalambi Labyrinth I

Andy B — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 17:50:58 GMT

]]>Stone labyrinth of classical form, 11.7 metres in diameter, with an unusual separate entrance and exit. Located 1.6 kilometres northeast of Kalambi village, on rocky ground in a flat area of scrub reserved for pasture, beside the cart road leading from Pusesawali to Aundh via Ganeshwadi, the nearest small settlement (approximately 2 kilometres to the north). Politically in Khatav Tehsil of Satara district, within the catchment area between the Krishna and Yerala rivers.

Kumbhoj Labyrinth

Andy B — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 17:49:43 GMT

]]>Stone labyrinth of 7-circuit classical form, 14.6 metres in diameter - the largest of the labyrinths documented in the Kolhapur district group. Set in stony ground between two hillocks on the southern boundary of Kumbhoj, 2.7 kilometres southeast of the village. Located beside a footpath leading from the Hazrat Peer Babu Jamal Sahib Dargah Kumbhoj Hatkanangale shrine (350 metres to the southwest) towards Danoli to the northeast. Politically in Hatkanangale Tehsil of Kolhapur district.

Majale Labyrinth

Andy B — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 17:49:16 GMT

]]>Stone labyrinth of 7-circuit classical form, 12.4 metres in diameter. Set on the ridge platform of a hillock in a hilly scrub area, 2.3 kilometres northeast of Majale village. Located approximately 400 metres south of the Hazrat Peer Babu Jamal Sahib Dargah Kumbhoj Hatkanangale shrine. Accessible from footpaths leading from Majale village and the shrine. Politically in Hatkanangale Tehsil of Kolhapur district, within the catchment area of the Warana and Panchaganga river basins.

Shivpuri Labyrinth

Andy B — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 17:48:54 GMT

]]>Stone labyrinth of unusual 10-circuit circular form, 8.8 metres in diameter. This is a notably higher circuit count than the standard 7-circuit classical form found at most other Maharashtra labyrinths. Situated on a hill range 1.05 kilometres southeast of Shivpuri village, on the top of a small hillock on the south side of Mr Poche Guruji's farm. The exact location is near the footpath leading to the temple dedicated to the local goddess Chilubai, about 50 metres to the northeast.

Malangaon Labyrinth

Andy B — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 17:48:11 GMT

]]>Stone labyrinth of 7-circuit classical form, 9.9 metres wide, slightly irregular in shape. Constructed from stones on a rocky hillock area 4.5 kilometres southwest of Malangaon village, in the area known as Kodyacha Maal. Located on the north side of the express roadway between Sangli and Solapur via Kumathe, under the jurisdiction of Manerajuri, the nearest large village to the west. Politically in Kavathemahankal Tehsil of Sangli district.

Vashi Labyrinth

Andy B — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 17:47:51 GMT

]]>Stone labyrinth originally of 7-circuit classical form, now partially damaged at its outer circuits. Current diameter is 10.8 metres but it would originally have been around 13.5 metres. Constructed from stones laid on a rocky surface in a pass between two hillocks, near the boundary of the Kameri forest reserve. Located 1.1 kilometres south-southeast of Shivpuri village and 3.0 kilometres east of the Aitawade Budrukh labyrinths.

Aitawade Budrukh Labyrinth 2

Andy B — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 17:46:10 GMT

]]>Stone labyrinth of 7-circuit classical form, 9.2 metres in diameter, constructed from stones laid on rocky ground in the Aitawade Budrukh reserve forest area. Located 1.75 kilometres northeast of Dhagewadi and 500 metres south of a larger companion labyrinth (Aitawade Budrukh 1). Situated along the south side of a bullock cart road near the Pavatka temple, which is approximately 20 metres to the southwest.