Mythical unicorn idol found near Karkala

[email protected] (The Hindu)
June 14, 2011

idol

Udupi, June 14: A rare idol of mythical unicorn has been found at Kalya near Nitte in Karkala taluk of Udupi district.


T. Murgeshi, lecturer in the Department of Ancient History and Archaeology at MSRS College, Shirva, and S.A. Krishnayya, folklore expert, told presspersons here on Monday that the idol was 29 cm long, 18 cm in width and seven centimetres thick.


The left front and rear leg of the unicorn was mutilated, but right front leg was designed like an elephant leg. The right rear leg looked like a bull's leg. The idol has a horse face and on the first glance looked like a horse but on closer examination one could find a composition of different animals.


“At the centre of its head, there is broken unicorn which is a major symbol of this mythical animal. It appears to be representing the fertility cult. Interestingly, the unicorn horse is found in the emblem of Sri Dharmasthala. Locally it is known as 'Naga Bermar', who was a fertility god”, he said.


As regards, the style of sculpture of the idol, it belonged either to 12th century or 13th century.


“It (the idol) is the only one of its kind found in the country so far,” Mr. Murugeshi said.


He said many temples were renovated in Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts.


During the process of renovation, many important, and rare idols, and inscriptions of historic value (not of religious value) were getting thrown into the nearby rivers or rivulets.


Those renovating the temples should make it a point to call archaeologists so that they could document such idols, Mr. Murugeshi said.

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November 14,2024

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Bengaluru: The Prime Minister Narendra Modi led union government has requested the Karnataka High Court to direct the Mandya district administration and the state government to clear a madrasa operating within the premises of the historic Jama Masjid in Srirangapatna.

The Waqf Board, opposing this move, has claimed the mosque as its property and defended the right to conduct madrasa activities there.

The matter was brought before a division bench headed by Chief Justice N V Anjaria following a public interest litigation filed by a person named Abhishek Gowda from Kabbalu village in Kanakapura taluk. The petition alleged “unauthorised madrasa activities” within the mosque.

Representing the Central government, Additional Solicitor General of India for High Court of Karnataka, K Arvind Kamath argued that the Jama Masjid was designated as a protected monument in 1951, yet unauthorised madrasa operations continue there.

He noted that concerns over potential law and order issues have so far prevented any intervention. Kamath urged the court to direct the Mandya district administration to take action and vacate the madrasa from the mosque.

In defence, lawyers for the state government and the Waqf Board contested this request, stating that the Waqf Board had been recognised as the owner of the property since 1963 and, thus, conducting madrasa activities there is lawful.

After hearing both sides, the bench adjourned the case for further arguments, scheduling the next hearing for November 20.

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November 11,2024

Mangaluru: Six youths including teenagers have been arrested by the Bantwal Rural Police in connection with a brutal assault on 21-year-old Aboobakar (name changed to hide identity), an incident that was widely shared on social media after footage revealed the victim tied to a pole and violently beaten.

The arrested individuals, all from Kanchinadkapadavu, Sajipanadu village in Ullal Taluk, have been identified as Mohammad Sapwan (25), Mohammad Rizwan (25), Irfan (27), Anis Ahmad (19), Nasir (27), and Shakeer (18). According to police reports, the assault took place on November 7 in Kanchinadkapadavu.

The sequence of events began when Aboobakar was reportedly called to a residence in Kanchinadkapadavu by a female relative. Upon his arrival, he was confronted by the accused, who questioned his presence, tied him to a pole with ropes, and attacked him while he was shirtless. 

Aboobakar managed to file a police complaint the following day, detailing the assault. As his injuries worsened, he was admitted to a private hospital in Mangaluru.

While in the hospital, Aboobakar alleged that his attackers intended to kill him during the assault. This statement led to additional charges of attempted murder being filed. 

Police officials stated that the suspects were subsequently apprehended, charged with group assault and attempted murder, and placed in judicial custody. The investigation is ongoing, and further details are awaited.

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November 25,2024

Udupi: Six junior artists from the prequel of Kannada blockbuster film ‘Kantara’ were injured, when the bus they were travelling in overturned in the district, police said on Monday.

According to police, the accident occurred near Jadkal on Sunday night when the mini-bus carrying the crew of the film overturned.

“The incident happened while they were returning to Kollur after completing the shoot at Mudoor in Jadkal. The mini-bus was carrying 20 junior artistes when it met with the accident,” a police officer said.

The injured were rushed to hospitals in Jadkal and Kundapur for treatment, they said.

The Kollur police are investigating the matter.

"The news making rounds is completely false. The Kantara: Chapter 1 team began shooting at 06:00 AM today, and everything is proceeding as normal. A minor accident occurred 20 kilometres away from the shooting location, involving a local bus carrying some members of the Kantara team. However, no injuries were reported," a source close to the production said.

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