Manikpatna, Archaeological site near Chilika Lake, India
Manikpatna is an archaeological site on the eastern coast of India, situated between Brahmagiri and the banks of the Bhargavi river near Chilika Lake. The grounds contain the Bhabakundalesvara Temple with a black chlorite stone Shiva Linga and display remnants from different historical periods.
The site was a major port called Chelitalo, documented by Chinese pilgrim Hiuen Tsang, which maintained extensive trade connections over many centuries. This maritime importance is reflected in findings that span from the medieval period to later eras.
Excavated artifacts include Chinese celadon ware, porcelain, grayish-white rouletted pottery, and fragments from Burma, Siam, and Arabian territories.
The temple with its black chlorite stone Linga is accessible and can be visited by guests. The location by the river and near the lake makes the grounds easy to explore, with the surroundings relatively open and manageable.
Among the findings is an 11th-century coin from Sri Lanka, showing that people from this distant island traded here. This single piece of currency proves how far the economic networks of this ancient port extended.
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