Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (JD)

Udupi, Nov 7: In a remarkable discovery along the Suvarna river near Baje dam on the Hiriyadka-Kukkehalli route, an ancient menhir from the megalithic period has been identified. The find was made by Ganesh Naik Cherkadi and Geethesh, a Hindi teacher at Nidle Government High School.

This stone, standing approximately six feet above ground level, is referred to by locals as ‘Gadikallu’. Retired teacher K Sridhar Bhat from U Kamalabai High School had previously conducted field studies in this region, uncovering several prehistoric rock shelters and remains from the Mesolithic and Neolithic periods. However, there is concern that many such prehistoric artefacts could be lost due to ongoing road-widening projects in the area.

Shrutesh Acharya Moodubelle, assistant director at Shriniketan Museum and the Keladi Chennamma Study Center in Kukke Subrahmanya, estimates that this newly identified menhir could be as old as 2,000 years.