Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur
Kundapur, Nov 22: Two Megalithic Menhirs were discovered in the Kundapur region during recent archaeological explorations conducted by the Adima Kala Trust (R), Udupi. The findings were made at Hilkod, located on the Neralekatte–Ajri road, and at Mavinakere in Kenchanur village, according to a press release issued by archaeologist and founder trustee of the Adima Kala Trust (R), Prof T Murugeshi.
The Nilskal at Mavinakere measures about 112 cm in height and is slightly tilted towards the north-west. The Hilkod Nilskal measures around 135 cm in height. A small test trench dug beneath the Hilkod standing stone revealed crushed red and creamy pottery fragments believed to be from a much later period.
Nilskals, or free-standing stones ranging from three to sixteen feet in height, have been documented in various locations across South India. Traditionally, they were erected near or above burials from the Megalithic era as memorials. Over time, they came to be worshipped by local communities, knowingly or unknowingly, under various names associated with semi-deities such as Bhootappa, Bhootarayappa, Rakkasagal, Nilskal, Chowdi, Bobbarya, Pili Chamundi and others.
Historical significance
Both Nilskals found at Hilkod and Mavinakere appear to belong to the final phase of the Megalithic culture in the Kundapur region. The Nilskal and Heragal group of menhirs in the Nagara region of Hosanagara taluk, Shivamogga district, are believed to be the oldest in the region, dating back to around 800 BC. The newly discovered menhirs at Mavinakere and Hilkod are estimated to belong to approximately 300 BC to the 1st or 2nd century AD, marking the final stage of the region’s Megalithic period, according to Prof Murugeshi.
Prof Murugeshi has expressed his gratitude to Murulidhar Hegade of Iduru-Kunjadi, Vishwanath Gulwadi, Nagesh Ganiga, Teja Ganiga, Sudhakar Shetty, C Nagaraj Shetty, Manjunath Mogavira, and the Adima Kala research team members Shreyas Bantakal, Gowtham Belman and Ravindra Kushwa.