An Adventure Called Jatinga Rameshwara Part - 3

After witnessing the Asokanedicts, temple complex and the rock inscriptions, it was time now for us to hunt for evidence of pre-historic period.  According to the book ‘Bramhagiri’ by Dr. S.Y. Somashekar, a variety of cave paintings were discovered in this place by A. Sundar and his team during their work in A.D 1978. One such group of cave paintings according to the book is found on a group of rocks known as “Nagarapade” (meaning hood of a snake), located just behind temple complex. Though we were able to locate this group of rocks and the inscriptions, we were unable to spot any cave paintings. We scanned all the rocks of this group, its neighboring rocks and surroundings, but our efforts were of no avail, except for sighting a few wild geckos!

Nagarapade

Wild Geckos

Butter Ball

Fort Walls

  As time was ticking and we had to visit other sites, we were in a dilemma whether to search the other side of the hill or proceed towards our next destination. We gave ourselves a little more time in order to continue our search for the cave paintings.  We scanned the area around ‘Nagarapade’ again and later moved towards the Dodda betta (Big hill).  As we walked a little further, we found a small structure similar to a dolmen, but without the cap stone. Suddenly, a fast hopping hare crossed our path and vanished in a split second giving us no chance of capturing it.

Dolmen like Structure

Dodd Betta (Big Hill)

Shelter with Some Sculpture 

Small Ruined Temple

     Further down were a few ruined structures. A pair of painted spur fowl caught our attention and we moved slowly towards them. Being shy in nature and feeling their romance being disturbed, the birds quickly took shelter under the rocks so that they could continue their activity. We proceeded further without disturbing them. Walking on, we found steps that led us down, from where the bird’s eye view was mesmerizing. We checked the time and thought it would be too late for us to venture further and returned.  

Spur Fowl Running

Bird's Eye View

   We were in a state of sadness for not having found any paintings until what we saw on one of the rocks midway gave us a ray of hope.