Thursday, March 8, 2012

Hero Stones - Agrahara Bachahalli

Agrahara Bachahalli, famous for its Huniseshwara temple and the Garuda Lenka Kambhas is also known for a  massive Hero Stone or Veeragallu situated besides the temple. It is housed in a small temple like enclosure and offers protection to the herostone, signifying the importance of the hero. This particular hero stone is made of Soap stone, which is smooth and rarely used in making hero stones, as we have seen. Looking at the many hero stones inside the temple complex premises, it was quite evident that a great battle had been fought and many lives lost in order to save their kingdom. Hero stones are great sources of knowledge in understanding the history and culture of the people involved.  They were made by people closely associated to the Hero (Solider who sacrificed his life for the kingdom) in memory of his bravery and in order to spread a word about the same.
An enclosure with Hero-Stone
 Hero-stone ( material : soap stone)
Hero stones and Garuda Lenka Kambhas Collection
Ganesha idol and Naga Stones
Beautiful Work
Skillfully Done
 Homer, the Greek author of the Iliad, describes in his book about the Hero as a person possessing divine strength or a person blessed by God to have immense power and strength. But in due course, someone who did noble deeds was also considered a Hero. During olden days, in the Hindu culture, only two types of people were held in high regard. The one who attained knowledge through meditation (Bhakti Marga ) and the other who fought war for the kingdom with a lot of strength and valor (Shakti Marga). It was also believed that people falling in these two categories would attain Moksha (Salvation) and reside permanently in Swarga (Heaven). The same is depicted in the second  panel (or the third very rarely) from the top, of all Hero stones. It is generally shown as the Hero or Veera, seated on a palanquin and being carried away by Angels/Apsaras to the heaven.
The first panel from top depicts Prayers offered to the Lord
The second panel depicts the hero being carried away to the heaven by Angels
The third depicts war scenes (Soldier on the Horse)
Related Readings:
1 Team G Square
2 Book - ಕರ್ನಾಟಕದ ವೀರಗಲ್ಲುಗಳು (Karnatakada Veeragallugalu ) by Dr. R .Sheshashastri

21 comments:

  1. Wow! they have been carved beautifully. I am seeing a enclosure for Hero stone for the first time.

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  2. These are awesome! So beautifully carved indeed and such wonderful history! Thank you so much for sharing these with us. And thank you for your kind words regarding my daughter. Hope your week is going well!

    Sylvia

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  3. Beautiful and intricate. Thats a good find.

    www.rajniranjandas.blogpot.com

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  4. Beautiful!!!! when we visited the museum in shimoga, there were rows and rows of hero stones and stones with something written , just kept out in the open.... but no info about them :(

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  5. Such intricate carvings...The soap stone - haven't seen it before...Get to see new things thru your post.

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  6. These hero stones are so beautifully carved! Such fine carvings. I have heard about them for the first time, never seen them too. Thanks for sharing them.

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  7. Carving is beautiful and this post is very informative. Thanks!

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  8. beautifully captured photos ... with nice info

    thanks for sharing...

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  9. loved the photos and the information given.....

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  10. Really appreciate the way you explain the details, otherwise I tend to see everything just as a mass of statues ..thanks

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  11. Very informative post, I will notice such things better next time I come across them

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  12. What beautiful intricated carvings!! Very interesting to see them with the story.
    Thank you for sharing.
    RedRose

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  13. beautiful photos
    good information

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  14. Is this place easily accessible? I have crossed Mandya several times, but never been here. This is in Mandya right?

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    Replies
    1. Yes it is in Mandya , and place is easily accessible from K R Pete .

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  15. Liked the post…
    rosesandgifts.com

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  16. Good post! At once I didn't get what was that Hero stone!? At times translations gets us fooled :)

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  17. Thank you fot sharing all this beauty history.

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