Hero stones / Sati Stones / Veerakallu /வீரக்கற்கள் / நடுகற்கள் / Niseedhigai Memorial Stones of Karnataka.

The Visit to these Hero stones installed in Various temples in Karnataka state, was a part of “Karnataka State, Hoysala Period Shiva and temple’s visit”- on 30^th July 2023, organised by தொண்டை மண்டல வரலாற்று ஆய்வு சங்கம் "திருக்கச்சி" FB Group. In addition to the Hero stone this post also cover the Niseedhigai Memorial Stones installed at Jain Basadis. The Details of Hero stones  and Niseethigai Memorial stones as given below.

Hero Stones / Sati Stone at Sri Lakshmi Devi Temple, Doddagadavalli

This Hero / sati Stone with inscriptions is installed on the south corner of the Temple Complex. This is a 4 tier Sati stone. In the First tier ( Bottom ) the Hero is sitting on a Horse and an attendant is holding an umbrella. This shows that the Hero must be holding a higher Position in the army may be as a Captain or may be a small king. In addition, there are two Elephants with two mens are sitting on the elephants is shown. In the Second tier, the Hero is fighting with the enemies. In the Third tier, the Hero is taken to the Shiva Loka along with his two wives. The Devakannias are shown on both sides with chowry. This shows that the Hero’s two wives took sati after the hero’s death in war. In the top tier the hero is seen worshiping a Shiva Linga and the priest does the pooja.

 

The second Hero stone is installed inside the north west corner  the sub sannidhi of the temple complex. This is also a 4 tier Hero stone. In the bottom tier, the Hero is fighting with the enemies. In the second tier what is there is not shown. In the Third tier the Hero is shown in a palanquin. In the top tier the Hero is shown worshipping a Shiva Lingam and a priest does the pooja.

LOCATION OF THE HERO STONE         : CLICK HERE

Hero stones, at Sri Hoysaleeshwara Temple, Halebeedu

This Hero stone is used as a Ceiling panel in the Rishaba mandapam. The Hero Stone is also a 4 tier hero stone and damaged to the maximum extent. There are some more Hero stones installed in the temple.

LOCATION OF THE HERO STONE         : CLICK HERE

Hero Stones at Sri Bucheswara Swami Temple, Koravangala

This hero stone is installed on the back side of the Bairavar Temple ( south-east of Buchêsvara temple in the fort ). The hero stone is a 4 tier Hero stone. Hope this Hero stone was erected for Two heroes. In the bottom tier both heroes are fighting with the enemies. In the second tier the heroes are shown in the palanquin taken to the Shiva Loka by the Deva kannis holding Chowry / Samara and 4 Deva kannis are shown in flying position. In the 3^rd tier both heroes are shown in worshipping  a Shiva Lingam. From the hair styles of the priests, the Priests may belongs to Kalamukha sect.  In the Top Tier Shiva and Parvati are in seated position with Brahma and Maha Vishnu on both sides. In addition, the two heroes are in worshipping posture with an another person, a Rishabam.

The inscriptions are found in between the tiers, belongs to Hoysala King Veera Ballala.  ( The inscription is reproduced below, as given in the epigrapia indica- Kannada in English ) 

Šr namas tunga-širaš-chumbi-chandra-châmara châravê | trailôkya-nagararambha-mala-stambhaya Sambhavê

 

Šivaya namah svasti samasta-bhuvanâšrayam pritvi-vallabham maharajâdhi- rajam pratapa-chakravartti Vira-Ballala-Dévaru Heddore-pariyantam prithvi- rajyam geyuttam ire svasti yama-niyama-svadhyaya-dhyana-dharana-mônâ- nushṭhâna-japa-samadhi-šila-guna-sampannarum aupasanâgnihôtra-dêva-dvija-

 

krama-puja-tat pararum marttandojvala-kirtti-yutarum appa šrimad anâdiy- agrahara-Šântigrâmada ašêsha-mahajanangalu gavudugalu Kôravangalada Duddana sîmâ-sammandhake kilegav adalli Bittiyojana makkalu Bammoja- Masanojangaļu a-mahajanangala prajerg à-tondugali... .biragallu ||

In addition to the above Shiva Temple, another Hero stone was found installed in the praharam of a Hanuman Temple of  the same Village. This Hero stone is also a 3 tiers Hero Stone. In the  Bottom tier the Hero is holding his head in the left hand and holding a sword in the right hand. In the middle tier the Hero is shown in palanquin. Two DevaKannis  holding Chowry taking the Hero to the Shiva Loka. And 4 angles are shown in flying posture. In the top tier the the Hero is shown in worshipping posture. In addition, Two priests, Rishabam, a drummer, a lady with a child on the hip and a samaradhari are also shown.

LOCATION OF THE HERO STONES         : CLICK HERE

Hero stone,  at Shri Nambi Narayana Temple, Thondanur

This Hero stone is kept infront of Thayar Sannidhi at Nambi Narayana Swami Temple of Thondanur. This Hero stone is 3 tiers. The bottom tier and top tier are in broken condition. In the bottom tier the hero is shown in three bangha posture. In the middle tier the hero is taken to the Shiva Loka by the Devakannis holding Chowry. In the top tier the Hero is shown in Yoga posture with yoga patti and two Deva kannis with chamaram are shown on both sides. The Bottom tier has the inscription around the Hero.

LOCATION OF THE HERO STONE         : CLICK HERE

Niseedhigai memorial stones, Jain Temples, Jain Basadis, Shravanabelagola.

Found about 4 Niseethigai Memorial stones on Rathnagiri Hills, Shravanabelagola. These memorial stones are erected for the Jain monks or persons who took sallekana ie. stop taking food and leave their life.

LOCATION OF THE NISEEDHIGAI MEMORIAL STONES         : CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---