Rare deer-hunting hero stone discovered in Kundapur village

Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur

Kundapur, May 2: A rare deer-hunting hero stone has been discovered at Vakwadi village during an archaeological exploration.

Prof T Murugeshi, archaeologist and founder trustee of Adima Kala Trust (R), Udupi, said the hero stone was found in the compound of Dyagala Mane Babu Shetty in Vakwadi.

The rectangular stone slab measures about 45 inches in height and 22.5 inches in width, and features carvings arranged in three panels.

In the lower panel, two heroes are depicted holding their hunting dogs. In the prominent middle panel, two heroes are shown standing on the right side. The first figure holds a bow in his left hand, while the second holds an arrow or spear in his left hand, shown piercing through the neck of a deer.

In the top panel, two heroes are shown seated in salute posture on the left and right sides of a Lingam. Above the Lingam, a Dravidian-style Vimana has been depicted. The lines used in carving the dogs and deer are sharply differentiated.

Prof Murugeshi stated that hunting hero stones are commonly found in South India and Karnataka, but are very rare in Tulu Nadu. The present discovery is the second such hunting hero stone found in Tulu country. The first was discovered at Someshwara in Hebri taluk of Udupi district.

Dating of the hero stone

As no inscription has been found on the stone, dating it precisely is difficult. However, the Lingam depicted on a high plinth is considered significant. Long cylindrical Lingams on high plinths were commonly seen in Shaiva temples of Tulunad between the 8th and 10th centuries.

The Lingam on the hero stone resembles those found in temples of that period, and therefore the stone is believed to date back to the 9th–10th century AD.

Historical importance

The heroes depicted on the stone are shown wearing ornaments and weapons such as a necklace (KantaBrana), Bhujakirti, Tolabandhi, Kadaga, earrings, and a small dagger at the waist. These details clearly indicate that the hunting heroes were not common people and may have been princes of the Alupa royal family.

The hero stone is historically important due to its depiction of antler deer. Antler deer have roamed the Sri Mookambika Wildlife forests for thousands of years and continue to do so even today.

While hunting scenes involving wild boars and other animals are commonly found, depictions of deer hunting are very rare. Moreover, the death of hunting heroes during a deer hunt is considered an extremely rare example in history.