Residents of Neeragunda village in Arsikere taluk, Karnataka, unearthed a 12th-century veeragallu, or hero stone, during ongoing temple restoration work.

A hero stone, or veeragallu, is a memorial stone that South Indian communities erected to honour those who died in battle or in defence of their village — Karnataka alone has more than 2,650 recorded examples, dating between the 5th and 13th centuries. Villagers in Neeragunda have now added to that count.

Basic Details

  • Location: Neeragunda village, Arsikere taluk, Hassan district, Karnataka.
  • Period: 12th century CE, placing it in the Hoysala era — a period when Arsikere taluk saw major temple-building activity, including the Kalameshwara Temple, built around 1220 CE.
  • Found During: Ongoing restoration work at a local temple in the village.

Why in News

The stone surfaced as residents carried out restoration work at a village temple, adding to Arsikere taluk's existing record of Hoysala-period monuments.

Significance

  • Local Heritage Record: Adds to the documented history of Arsikere taluk, already known for Hoysala-era sites such as the Kalameshwara Temple and the Sahasrakuta Jinalaya.
  • Community-Led Discovery: Highlights how local restoration and heritage-conservation work continues to surface undocumented historical material.