Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (MS)

Udupi, Feb 2: The historical Ninikallu rock that is situated at Nandikur vicinity is on the verge being forgotten by public due to the negligence of archaeology department.

This rock which is near Nandikoor on Padubidri-Karkala state highway is the dune of Elluru KUnda Heggade family. It has fort, Naga Bhairaveshwara and old remains.

Earlier, there was a fort around the palace and there was gap in the rock for a person to pass.

The Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) acquired 53 acres of land near Ninikallu Pade in 2000 in order to establish thermal power plant. When it was implemented somewhere else, this land was given to small scale industries.

Due to protest by locals and history experts, excepting Ninikallu rock all other area was acquired by the KIADB. Later a barbed wire fence was put around the rock so that no one enters it.

There is sculpture of Kapalakala Bairaveshwara that is carved in 15th century AD between the rocks. In the four feet tall stone sculpture there is Naga head containing seven Nagas, Naga ornaments in ear, Damaru, Trishul and sword around the idol.

There are many historical inscriptions of this nature in Tulunadu. They need to be protected so that the future generation knows the history of coastal districts.

Ninni in Tulu language means speaking the same over and over again. Ninnikalla Pade means rocks that echo our sound. There are two rocks here. In one there is the idol and any sound made from a specific distance to the rock gets echoed.

K L Kundathaya, Janapad researcher says, “Nandikoor area is a historical one. Ninikallu rock, Bairava idol, inscription of offering table and palace of Elluru Kunda Heggade need to be protected. The government, instead of promoting beach tourism, should give importance to historical places of this nature.”