Medieval Era ‘Sidithale’ Hero Stone Discovered in Udupi’s Barkur

Udupi: A rare medieval hero stone has been discovered at the Sri Panchalingeshwara Temple in Barkur of Udupi district.

Archeologist Prof T Murugeshi said that the hero stone is a rare example of 'Atma Bali,' or self-sacrifice, and is identified as a Sidithale Veeragallu dating back to late 13th or early 14th century. “It could be the first of its kind found so far in the region,” he said.

Prof Murugeshi said the hero stone is known as a Sidithale Veeragallu because of the manner in which the self-sacrifice is depicted. Similar carvings, as well as inscriptions referring to Sidithale Veeragallu, have been found in other parts of the state, but this appears to be the first such stone discovered in coastal Karnataka so far.

The stone was found a few months ago near the Panchalingeshwara Temple and has since been brought into the temple premises and preserved there. It was discovered during a survey of inscriptions being carried out in connection with the ongoing renovation of the ancient temple.

The survey was jointly undertaken by the Rani Chikkayitayi Trust, Gullaadi, and Adima Kala Trust, Udupi.

“The rectangular stone has three panels. The two lower panels are larger, while the upper one is slightly narrower. The lower panel shows a warrior sitting in a meditative posture, apparently preparing for self-sacrifice. An executioner is shown on one side, while another person is seen holding the lower part of a bamboo pole. The executioner is depicted cutting off the warrior’s head with a single stroke. The head, tied by the hair to the tip of the bamboo, is shown hanging above,” Prof Murugeshi told Deccan Chronicle.

The second panel shows apsaras carrying the dead warrior towards heaven. The upper panel has a Shivalinga, with a warrior on one side and Shiva being worshipped on the other. Sculptures of the Sun and Moon are also seen at the top.

Prof Murugeshi said the sculpture style indicated that the stone could belong to the late 13th or early 14th century. There are also inscriptions on the stone, but they are not clear.

Explaining the Sidithale form of self-sacrifice, Prof Murugeshi said the person would sit in a meditative posture after preparing himself for the ritual, with his hair or tuft tied to the tip of a bamboo pole firmly planted in the ground. The executioner would then sever the person’s head with a single stroke. The severed head is depicted as being propelled upwards and hanging in the air, giving the hero stone its name.

The Kalabhairava Temple is located next to the Panchalingeshwara Temple. Prof Murugeshi said the proximity of the shrine raises the possibility that the ritual depicted on the stone may have been performed there.

The discovery is also significant given Barkur’s history. The town served as the capital of the Alupa dynasty, which originated in coastal Karnataka. It later became the northern coastal headquarters of the Vijayanagara Kingdom, with a governor administering the region from Barkur.

“The Panchalingeshwara Temple is among the ancient temples in the region and is an important historical site in Barkur. Around 16 inscriptions have been protected at the temple, including the newly found hero stone,” Prof Murugeshi added.