KASARAGOD | March 16, 2017:

Uncontrolled laterite stone-mining is posing a threat to megalithic umbrella stones (kudakkallu) in Kolathur village of Bedadukka grama panchayat in the district.

As many as seven such historically significant megalithic monuments dating back to 10th to 3rd century BC are visible within 2 km at Perladukkam Berikulam and Karipadakam in the Kolathur village.

Laterite mining has caused extensive damages to these monuments. One uniquely shaped monument at Berikulam is facing immediate threat of destruction, Nandakumar Koroth and C.P. Rajeevan of the Department of History, Nehru Arts &Science College Kanhangad, who visited the spot the other day, said.

The umbrella stones had been erected by megalithic people as part of their burial custom and practices. The umbrella stones contained the mortal remains of the megalithic people, beside the utensils, weapons, tools, and implements used by them.

The historians said that three sides of the umbrella stone’s base had been damaged following laterite mining. A rock piece supporting the top circular rock fell down and the structure might not survive the coming monsoon as four rock pieces generally supporting the umbrella stones, they said.

Four umbrella stones on the land owned by Lakshmi Amma of Karipadakam locality remained without much damage as the family members were preserving them part of religious belief, Prof. Koroth said.

The megalithic monuments in Kasaragod district are grouped into four categories — umbrella stones, cap stones, rock cut chambers, and engravings on rocks.

Rock-cut chambers are discovered at Thalayadukkam, Ummichipoyil, Panangad, Chayoth, Parappa Nalilamkandam, Chandravayal, Mavullachal, and Pilicode. Umbrella stones are found at Karippadakam, Berikkulam, Panayal, and Bandadukka and rock engravings at Erikkulam Valiyapara, Angakalari, Pallippara and Benkalam in the district. Among these the perfect and intact ones are found at Kulathur village.

(Source: http://www.thehindu.com/)