Hirebenekal is a small village
located in Koppal district, off the Gangavathi - Gadag Highway. The hills of
Hirebenekal are considered to be the most significant amongst the pre-historic
sites in India. I was much excited to explore this place. One early morning, I left
my room in Bellary and boarded a bus to Gangavathi town.
Gangavathi at that time was decked with paddy
fields, getting ready for harvest. As there were no direct buses to Hirebenekal,
I took the bus that dropped me off closest to Hirebenekal and further hired a
passenger auto to Hirebenekal. The village of Hirebenekal is located about a
kilometer away from the highway. It is surrounded by a hill range that stands as
a testimony to the pre-historic period.
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Hirebenakal Information Broad |
My first task was to look out for a guide
/ local person who would help me go around this site and give the necessary
information. I found out about the care
taker of this site but unfortunately could not get him. I was directed to the
hill base to find him but in vain. Luckily, I was greeted by informative boards
giving details about this place and its pre-historic culture. I was glad to see the direction boards to the
site.
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Rock Art |
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People in Line |
![](https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NDdPnlfvCxc/U6b2YnXxF2I/AAAAAAAAKb8/i97_32srM_s/s280/bellary026.jpg) |
Dancing People |
![](https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m52S5rwOpu4/U6b3KNcbJtI/AAAAAAAAKcU/WzQG_mOSH2k/s280/bellary042.jpg) |
Cave painting |
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Dolmen Site |
As time was ticking and the day getting warmer, I had to hurriedly reach the
cluster of boulders upon which was the Kettle's Drum, another wonder of the pre-historic
times. The boulder when tapped emits a sound made by the drum. Here on, I
reached a pre-historic grave yard, which housed
dolmens of various types,
sizes, and shapes. It took me a lot of time to explore this area in depth. Lastly, I moved on to the site of the quarry and a pond. It
was time was to return and complete the quest for the day only to begin a more
exciting one the next day!