Bakulajja idol at Kalkuta dates back to 8th or 9th century

Mangaluru: Shirva MSRS College History and Archaeology Department lecturer Shruthesh Acharya who studied the unique Narasimha idol located in Kalkuta near Mangaluru recently, has determined its historical origin to the 8th to 9th century.

Shruthesh Acharya was informed about the existence of an idol known as 'Bakulajja' on the land owned by Bharat Dota of Kalkuta, located about 20 kilometers from Mangaluru. 

Eager to explore this historical treasure, Shruthesh Acharya, along with the assistance of Vishal Rai, a 3rd-year BA student, ventured to the site for a thorough investigation.

"The idol which stands about 2.5 feet above the earth's surface, is seated with its pedestal buried in the ground. It portrays Narasimha with the face of a lion and a human body. This deity is depicted in a sitting posture, with the left hand resting on the left thigh and the right hand holding a fruit placed on the right knee. Carved ornaments adorn the idol," Shruthesh Acharya said.

"This must be a place of worship since centuries. Local villagers have a folklore associated with this deity. They refer to this deity as Bakulajja, and the site holds a profound significance in their traditions. They turn to Bakulajja (Narasimha) in times of distress, particularly when their cattle or calves fall ill or go missing, entrusting their hopes in the divine," he said.

Interestingly, a few decades ago Historian P Gururaj Bhat had conducted a study on a similar statue of Narasimha in a place called Kottaripalu, about 3 kilometers from the current site. He had concluded that the idol at Kottaripalu dates back to the 8th or 9th century. 

The idol in Kalkuta exhibits striking similarities with Gururaj Bhat's findings. Considering these resemblances and the intricate carvings on the idol, Shruthesh Acharya has come to a conclusion that the Narasimha idol, known as Bakulajja, also dates back to the 8th or 9th century.