MANGALURU: A history lecturer and a student collaborated on a study of a Narasimha idol commonly referred to as Bakulajja idol,found on the property of Bharat Dhota in Kalkuta in Kariyangala village near Polali in Bantwal taluk.
This research work was undertaken by Shruthesh Acharya Moodubelle, a lecturer in History and Archaeology at MSRS College, Shirva, along with Viishal Rai K, a third-year BA student.
The locals informed the researchers that they still pray to Bakulajja (Narasimha) whenever their cattle fall ill or go missing. They continue to worship and protect the idol.
Shruthesh Acharya said the pedestal part of this idol is buried in the earth and the idol is carved sitting at a height of about 2.5 feet from the ground surface. This sculpture of Narasimha is bipedal with a lion face and human body structure and is in a sitting posture with his left hand on his left thigh and a fruit in his right hand on his right knee. It displays intricate details such as ‘kantahara’(neckband), arm and wrist ornaments that can be seen in the sculpture.
Another idol of the same type is found in the property of Narayana Bhat of Kottaripalu area near Polali Rajarajeshwari temple. Historian and archaeologist Padur Gururaja Bhat in his book ‘Studies in Tuluva History and Culture’ stated that this sculpture is believed to date back to the 8th-9th century. Given the resemblance between the sculpture under study and the one on Bhat’s property, it is possible to estimate the idol found in Kalkuta belongs to the same period, said Acharya.
Vijitha Amin, Rohitaksha, Sooraj Polali and Krishna Polali assisted in the research work.
