Historic City of Barakuru

About Historic City of Barakuru

• Location: Barakuru is located in Udupi district, Karnataka.
  • It lies on the banks of the Sita River, about 5 km east of the Arabian Sea coast.
• Ancient names: The town was known as Varakula, Barakanur, and Barahkanyapura.
• Key Features:
  • Ancient Port: Barakuru was a busy commercial centre from around the 2nd century B.C.
    • It traded with foreign nations across the Arabian Sea.
  • Alupa Capital: The Alupa rulers made it their capital during the 10th–11th centuries A.D., turning it into a political centre.
  • Later Rule: It later became the provincial headquarters of the Hoysalas and Vijayanagara Empire.
  • Temple Heritage: It once had 365 temples, while the Panchalingeshwara Temple remains its most famous temple.
  • Cultural Heritage: It was a Jain settlement in ancient times.
    • It became an important centre of Tuluva culture under the Alupa rulers.
  • Organized Settlement: It was divided into ten extensions called Keris, which were named after the professional residents living in them.
    • Each Keri had its own water tank and several temples, reflecting the organized settlement pattern of the city.

Recent Findings

• Hero Stone: A Sidithale Veeragallu, dating to the late 13th or early 14th century, was found near Panchalingeshwara Temple.
• Depiction: The stone has three panels showing the warrior’s self-sacrifice, his journey towards heaven, and a Shivalinga with Shiva being worshipped.
• Similar Stones: Similar carvings and inscriptions referring to Sidithale Veeragallu have been found in other parts of Karnataka, but this appears to be the first such stone discovered in coastal Karnataka.
• Preservation: The stone has been brought into the Panchalingeshwara Temple premises, where it is preserved.