Regional News

Rare 14th-Century ‘Siditale’ Hero-Stone Discovered at Historic Barakuru Temple

By Editor

Posted on September 8, 2026

Rare 14th-Century 'Siditale' Hero-Stone Discovered at Historic Barakuru Temple

Udupi : In a significant archaeological breakthrough, a rare self-sacrificing hero-stone known as a ‘Siditale’ hero-stone was discovered at Barakuru, a historic capital of the medieval Alupa dynasty and the Vijayanagara Empire. The artifact was uncovered in the outer courtyard (prakara) of the Panchalingeshwara temple during a joint epigraphical survey conducted by the Veera Rani Chikkayi Tayi Trust (R.), Gulladi, and the Adima Kala Trust (R.), Udupi, as part of the temple’s ongoing renovation process. Noted regional archaeologist Prof. T. Murugeshi announced the finding in a press release today, marking this as the very first ‘Siditale’ hero-stone discovered in the Tulunadu region.

Self-sacrificing hero-stones were historically prevalent across South India between the 9th and 15th centuries, with previous findings including 10th-century Ganga-era stones reported in Coorg. Standing approximately four feet high and divided into three distinct panels, the Barakuru stone showcases the unique ‘Siditale’ ritualistic decapitation. The bottom panel depicts the hero seated on an earthen mound in a meditative posture (dhyana bangi), flanked by a executioner holding a sword on his left and a man holding a spring-loaded bamboo pole tightly on his right. Upon decapitation, the hero’s head, which was tied to the tip of the bamboo pole, would catapult into the sky—a practice distinctively known as Siditale.

The upper sections of the relief illustrate the hero’s spiritual journey into the afterlife. The middle panel depicts celestial nymphs (apsaras) escorting the deceased hero to heaven, while the top panel shows the hero seated reverently before Lord Shiva and a priest (archaka). Stylistically dated to the 14th century, this rare artifact offers invaluable historical insight into the ancient antiquities and sacrificial traditions of Tulunadu. The discovery was made possible with financial support from Dr. Raghuram Shetty Gulladi, alongside assistance from administrator Nagashayana, former moktesvar Manjunath Rao, and archaeology students Sinchith and Shodan from MSRS College, Shirva.