JOIN USApathy mars Kalabairaveshwara idol
The NSS volunteers of the Mulky Sundara Ram Shetty Memorial College along with local people’s representatives visited Ninnikallu on Sunday. Archaeology Lecturer T Murugesh throwing light on the history of Ninnikallu said that the meaning of the word ‘Ninnikallu’ is the stone that echoes a sound.
“The palace of Kunda Hegde Arasu was located near the monument in the 15th century. Later, the palace was shifted to Elluru. The information regarding Ninnikallu rock was found in the inscriptions available at Mudbidri palace, Bantakallu, Udupi Krishna Mutt and Udyavar Ganapathi Temple,” he said.
There are documents which proves that petty king Kuda Hegde had made agreement with Padubidri Kinyakka Ballal and Kapu Marda Hegde to build a fort at Ninnikallu to face the threat of Bhairavarasa of Karkala.
A four-feet tall Kalabairaveshwara idol was installed and poojas were being offered, he said adding that the idol is lying in a neglected state at present.
The idol of Kalabairaveshwara, which has four hands and five heads, has a crown adorned with a seven-headed serpent and ‘nagabharana’ as ear rings. It also has a serpent tied to legs. A ‘balikallu’, a stone on which human beings were slaughtered (narabali) to appease God, is seen near the idol, Murugesh said adding that kings were offering ‘narabali’ to the idol to ensure victory in wars.
There are fort-like structures including stone walls at Ninnikallu. The idol of Kalabairaveshwara was carved on a rock, which faces East. However, there is no authorities to protect the fort and the idol. Similarly, there is no proper road to Ninnikallu, he said.
Gram panchayat President Naveenchandra Suvarna said that the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) has already acquired the 60 acres of land belong to the ancient fort secretly without informing anyone.
“The KIADB officials had conducted the survey few days ago. However, the gram panchayat has decided to protect the fort and to make it an attractive tourism spot,” Suvarna said adding that the fort will be cleaned and fence will be constructed to protect the historic place.
College Principal Y Bhaskara Shetty, zilla panchayat Member Geethanjali Suvarna and NSS Officer Vinobanatha Aikala were present.