Udupi : In a remarkable archaeological finding, Prof. T. Murugeshi, a retired Associate Professor from the Department of Ancient History and Archaeology at Mulki Sundar Rama Shetty College, Shirvada, has discovered Kalguppe, Shavasamputa, and Vritta Samadhi tombs at the Ayyagudikala site near Dodnagudde Garden of the Horticulture Department in the city.
The district is known for its Stone Age artifacts, including Kalmane, Guha, Mritpatre, Kumbha, and Nilskal tombs. However, this is the first time that Kalguppe, Shavasamputa, and Vritta Samadhi types of tombs have been discovered here.
These tombs are characterized by natural stones arranged in circular or oval shapes with a central tomb. Prof. Murugeshi has previously researched hundreds of similar circular graves at the foothills of Mahadeshwar Hill in Chamarajanagar district.
According to the Paddanas of Tulunad, Ayyagudikala in Dodnagudde was historically a site where sixteen Maganeyas (local administrative units) would convene to pass judgments. Elders are believed to have sat on stones arranged in a circle to deliberate on matters of justice. However, due to dense vegetation, the exact number of stones at the current site is indeterminate.
Prof. Murugeshi’s findings suggest that the Stone Age tombs in various parts of Tulunad eventually evolved into worship sites for the Mother Goddess, Bermarasanas, Alades, Nagaradhana centers, and temples dedicated to Shiva or Subrahmanya.
The discovery of a circular Stone Age tomb alongside the Babbuswami deity, associated with the Mundala, Kusala, and Adi Dravida communities, provides crucial evidence for the historical study of these groups. The term “Ayyagudikala” is derived from ‘ayya’ meaning elder, ‘goodi’ meaning good, and ‘kala’ meaning place, collectively referring to the “Mound of the Dead.”
This discovery has been made possible through the collaborative efforts of Vamana Salian, Trustee Ramesh Uchila, G. Sundar Gujjarbettu, B.P. Narayan Nejaru, Anand Ellur, and P. Jaggu Mallaru, along with Prof. T. Murugeshi.
These findings offer valuable insights into the ancient burial practices and social structures of the region, contributing significantly to the historical and cultural understanding of Tulunad and its early inhabitants.
