Marasuru Madivala is a village in Anekal Taluk of Bengaluru, in the Indian state of Karnataka. It is a historical settlement with a history of over a millennium, its significance lies in the discovery of an herostone-inscription and an ornate sculpture of Chamundi found in the village which is currently housed in a new mantapa. It is home to a 10th-century Someshwara temple, and a modern-day Nandi mantapa restored with 8th-century Ganga style stone pillars, Sati stones, hero-stones and a few ancient Jaina idols.
| Puniseyamma Hero-stone | |
| Material: | Stone |
| Height: | 140cm (60inches) |
| Width: | 97cm (38inches) |
| Writing: | Kannada script |
| Location: | 12.7617°N 77.7238°W |
| Discovered Place: | Marasuru madivala, Anekal Taluk, Bengaluru |
It is a Kannada herostone inscription dated paleographically to the 9th century CE, it records the death of a Puniyasemma Gamunda. However, the reason for which he died is not known. The inscription was discovered by the Mythic Society Bengaluru Inscriptions 3D Digital Conservation Project team.[1]
The text is published in the Quarterly Journal of the Mythic society and Epigraphia carnatica volume 9, Anekal inscription 21.
| LineNumber | Kannada | IAST | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ಪುಣಿಸೆಯ | puṇiseya | |
| 2 | ಮ್ಮ ಗಾವು | mma gāvu | |
| 3 | ಣ್ಡನು ದ. | ṇḍanu da. | |
| 4 | .ಸತ. | sata | |
| 5 | ರೂಗ ತೋ | rūga to | |
| 6 | ರು ವದು | ru vadu |
| Butuga "Irivabedenga" Hero-stone | |
| Material: | Stone |
| Height: | 131cm (52inches) |
| Width: | 98cm (39inches) |
| Writing: | Kannada script |
| Location: | 12.7617°N 77.7238°W |
It is a Kannada inscription dated paleographically to the 10th century CE, the stone has a sculpture of a hero called Irivabedenga, he holds a bow in one hand and a dagger in the other hand, the text in the inscription is worn out, the full context of the inscription cannot be deciphered. The inscription mentions the term Butuga and Irivabedenga. Butuga was a Ganga king who ruled between 938 CE-961 CE in this region. Irivabedenga was a term used for an expert warrior (vide - Kannada Sahitya Parishat Kannada Nigantu).[1]
The text is published in the Quarterly Journal of the Mythic society.
| LineNumber | Kannada | IAST | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ಸ್ವಸ್ತಿಶ್ರೀ ಬುತುಗನ ರಾಜ್ಯದ(ದೊ) ಳ್ ..... | svastiśrī butugana rājyada(d) l ..... | |
| 2 | ವಳನ ಮಕ್ಕಳ್ ಇರಿವಬೆಡೆಙ್ಗ | valana makkal irivabḍṅga | |
| 3 | . ಕಲತೊ | . . kalato | |
| 4 | . ವಳ(ದ) ನು | . vala(da) nu | |
| 5 | . ತ . . | . ta. . | |
| 6 | . . ರು | . .ru | |
| 7 | ಹವು | havu | |
| 8 | ಣ(ನೊ).(ಳ್) | ṇa(n).(l) | |
| 9 | ಲಹ | laha | |
| 10 | . ವ(ಚ) | . va(ca) | |
| 11 | .ಳ್ಕ ದಿ | .lka di | |
| 12 | . ಸ | . sa |
The Chamundi sculpture found in Marasuru Madivala village of Anekal Taluk is one of the most ornate sculptures of the deity found in south India. The goddess is depicted with an astabhuja (lit. Eight handed) with a face expressing raudra, the goddess holds a trishula (trident) piercing into a fallen demon, with her other hands holding different weapons like sword, dagger, ankusa, Naga, Damaru, shield, skull cup. She also wears a Yajnopavita (sacred thread) of skulls. Her full breats are held by serpents and is depicted with two protruding fangs. All these characteristics are depicted to indicate the ferocious and wild nature of the goddess. She is also depicted with a sengol ascribing royalty to the goddess as a mark of devotion and respect.[2]