Udupi: In the recent archaeological explorations conducted by the Adima Kala Trust (R.), Udupi in the Kundapura region two Megalithic Menhirs found at Hilkod situated on Neralekatte and Ajri road and Mavinakere inKenchanur villege, says Prof. T. Murugeshi, archaeologist and founder trustee of the Adima Kala Trust (R.), Udupi in his press release here today.
Nilskal of the Mavinakere is about 112 cm in height and slightly leaning towards the north-west direction. Hilkod nilskal is about 135 cm in height and a small testing trench dug below the standing stone reveals crushed red and creamy pottery pieces of much later period.
Nilskals or free standing stones of various heights ranging from 3 feet to 16 feet or more found elsewhere in South India. They are installed near or on the above the burials of Megalithic period as memorials. They are worshipped by the local people knowingly or unknowingly by various names of semi gods like Bhootappa, Bhootarayappa, Rakkasagal, Nilskal, chowdi, Bobbarya and Pili Chamundi and many more names.
Historical Significance:
Both the nilskals of Hilkod and Mavinakere appears to be belongs the last phase of the Megalithic culture of the Kundapura region. Nilskal, Heragal group of Menhirs of Nagara region of Hosanagara tq of the Shimoga district are the oldest known from this region belongs to 800 B.C. Mavinakere and Hilkode Menhirs were belongs to 300 B.C. to 1 or 2nd century A.D. which falls the last quarter of the Megalithic period says Prof T. Murugeshi.
I am thankful to Murulidhar Hegade of Iduru-Kunjadi, Vishwanth Gulwadi, Nagesh Ganiga, Teja Ganiga, Sudhakar Shetty, C. Nagaraj Shetty and Manjunath Mogavira and Adima Kala research team members Shreyas Bantakal, Gowtham Belman and Ravindra Kushwa.