Udupi: “A miniature sculpture of Umamaheshwara made out of green schist was discovered in Sanyasibettu, near Maranakatte in Byndur Taluk of Udupi district, while levelling a mound at the site,” said Prof. T. Murugeshi, Associate Professor, Department of Ancient History and Archaeology, MSRS College, Shirva, in a press release here on Saturday September 11.
This unique sculpture is about 9 cm in height, 9 cm in length and 4 cm in breadth. The Umamaheshwara is shown riding on their vehicle Bull. Lord Shiva, who is riding a bull, has four hands. The front two hands are shown holding the bull’s ears, which resemble the vehicle’s handles. Among the back two hands, he holds Mriga (dear) in the right hand and left hand was mutilated. Uma is shown sitting on Lord Shiva’s back, holding Shiva’s shoulders, however the upper section of Uma was destroyed. All the Shiva Ganas including Veerabhadra, Ganapathi, Brungi are depicted around the bull.
“Umamaheshwara cult was also known as Soma cult or Someshwara cult. It was said to be born at Gujarat by Soma Sharma and spread across the country within no time. It was popular in 11th century and sculpture under study also belongs to the 11th century,” said Murugeshi.
