Koteshwar: A rare hunting hero stone measuring about 4 feet in height has been discovered at Dyagal Mane premises in Vakvadi village of Kundapur taluk during an archaeological exploration conducted on Sunday by Adima Kala Trust, Udupi.
According to archaeologist and founder coordinator of the trust, Prof. T. Murugeshi, the hero stone consists of three panels and depicts a rare hunting scene.
In the lower panel, two warriors are shown holding hunting dogs. The middle panel features two deer, with one depicted as being struck in the neck by an arrow or spear, while another stands facing left. Two warriors are also carved beside the deer.
In the top panel, a Shiva linga is carved on a raised platform, with a temple tower (vimana) shown above it in Dravidian style. On either side of the linga, two warriors are depicted sitting with folded hands.
Historical significance
Experts say hunting was an important activity for ancient royal families and part of their lifestyle. References to hunting can be found in epics, literature and folk traditions of Tulunadu, including Siri Paddana and Koti-Chennaya legends.
This is the second hunting-related hero stone discovered in the Tulunadu region. The first such stone was found in Someshwara in Hebri taluk.
Estimated period
Since there is no inscription on the stone, determining the exact period is difficult. However, based on the sculptural style, especially the Shiva linga, experts believe it may belong to the 9th-10th century, during the Alupa period.
Details of carvings
The figures carved on the stone are shown wearing ornaments such as necklaces, armlets, bangles and earrings. They are also depicted with weapons like bows and spears, and appear to have beards and moustaches, indicating they may have been princes.
Experts believe the scene may represent warriors who died during a hunting incident, possibly after being attacked by deer. The upper panel symbolically shows them in a divine setting, suggesting their ascent to heaven.
The exploration team included Kavita Kulal (Vakvadi), Bhandarkar College student Unnati, Babu Shetty and Hema Shetty of Dyagal Mane, Nagaraj Acharya, and Adima Kala Trust members Pradeep Kumar Basrur, Ganeshraj Saralebettu and Raghavendra Kulal.