Nelamangala: A rare stone inscription and hero stone from the 8th century Ganga period have been discovered in Bairasandra village of the taluk. This sacred and historical fossil came to light while doing agricultural work in a field.
This inscription was found in the field of a local resident named Rangaswamayya, and its significance has been confirmed by renowned historian Balasubrahmanya Rao. Lines have been carved in the old Kannada characters of the Ganga period on this discovered hero stone. There is a history associated with this. In the 8th century, ‘Manne’ (Manyapura) was the main capital of the Ganga. Sivamarenadi, the son of Thanniyarattammarodeya, was a servant of Maramma, who was the Nadagouda of Mannenadu.
When a ferocious tiger attacked, Sivamarenaddi fought bravely with the tiger to save the people and sacrificed his life. Not only writing, but also artistic sculpture is carved on the Veeragal. An unimaginable scene is depicted here of the hero holding the tiger tightly in one hand and swinging a sword in the other.
The scene of the Apsaras of the heavens respectfully carrying the soul of this hero who sacrificed his life to protect the country is also carved on the stone. This inscription is a testament to the administration of the Ganga era, the development of the Kannada language and the spirit of sacrifice of the heroes of that time.