Veeragallu at Neeragunda in Arsikere taluk throws light on Hoysala ruler Vishnuvardhana’s last day

Villagers in Neeragunda, in Arsikere taluk, have stumbled upon a centuries-old veeragallu (hero stone) bearing a Kannada inscription that could resolve long-standing confusion over the date of the death of Vishnuvardhana, the celebrated ruler of the Hoysala dynasty.

The village has two Hoysala-era temples — Malleshwara and Lakshmi Narayana Swamy. The latter had fallen into a dilapidated state, prompting residents to undertake its restoration, raising funds from villagers and others interested in preserving Hoysala structures. Hoysala is the prominent dynasty that ruled many parts of today’s Karnataka and Tamil Nadu between the 11th and the 14th centuries. Belur and Halebid, now in Hassan district, were capitals of the dynasty.

While workers were engaged in foundation work on June 28, they unearthed two stone slabs bearing sculptural work, which were later brought to the notice of researchers. One of them carried an inscription.