Hirebenakal eyes Unesco heritage tag through site upgrade
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Situated 40km from the district headquarters, it requires a 10km uphill trek to reach the archaeological site. The site, under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Hampi Circle's protection, sits atop a castellated granite hillock, accessible from 3km southeast of the village.
British officer Philip Meadows Taylor first discovered these monuments in 1835 while serving at the court of Nizam of Hyderabad. He presented the site internationally through a research publication in the Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society.
Locals describe the site, spanning over 20 hectares, as 'Morera houses'. The site's information board indicates these stone structures were built as memorials for the deceased. Some suggest Stone Age dwarfs inhabited these house-like formations. A large pond exists near the structures, indicating Neolithic Age inhabitants, primarily farmers, occupied this area.
These rock tombs and cave art are currently on Unesco's World Heritage tentative list.
The site houses the second-largest collection of monuments after Madhya Pradesh's cave paintings. Termed 'Rock monuments of early man', numerous well-preserved tombs exist here. Experts estimate approximately 500 tombs at this megalithic site.
The site displays rock paintings depicting dancing, hunting, and weapon-wielding figures. Additional artwork includes geometric patterns and mystical designs of deer, peacocks, humped bulls, bullocks, horses, and cows.
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"If properly excavated, more important things can come to light at this site," says Dr Sharanabasappa Kolkar, a historian from Gangavathi.
A hemispherical kettledrum stone, strategically positioned on a hillock, measures 2.2m in diameter with 1.5m radial height. It sits on a 10m high monolithic boulder with a beating surface. When struck with stone or wooden implements, it produces musical sounds audible beyond 1km.
Dr Sharanabasappa Kolkar mentions that during Rajnish Goyal's visit, the Kalaburgi regional commissioner, in 2010, they proposed including the site in the Unesco World Heritage list. The archaeological department forwarded the application, but Unesco rejected it. "Due to persistent efforts, two years ago, Unesco added the Hirebenkal megalithic site to its provisional list, and we must accelerate efforts to secure its place on the permanent list," he emphasised.
Tourism minister HK Patil, during his recent visit, announced plans to develop the site to international standards. He assured that govt would undertake all necessary steps to achieve World Heritage List recognition.
Additionally, Patil announced that to educate Bengaluru residents about the site's importance, they would organise a photographic exhibition of the rock tombs at the Venkatappa Art Gallery by Aug 15. Plans are under way to conduct further research within a 5km radius of the hill.
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