Kalya Inscriptions and Hero Stones

Kalya is a historic village in Magadi Taluk, Karnataka, with prehistoric rock art and tools and inscriptions that begin in 550 CE and run to the early 17th century, evidence of settlement over thousands of years. More than 28 inscriptions have been documented here, along with hero stones of tiger hunts, Veera Masti and Nisidhi stones and the Kalleshwara temple. Icons of the Jaina, Buddhist, Shaiva and Vaishnava traditions are also found. The village holds the tomb of the 12th-century poet Palkuriki Somanatha, author of the Basava Purana, who settled here after coming to seek the blessings of the saint Sarvashile Chennamma.

Among the most remarkable records is a Kannada inscription of 1368, from the reign of Bukkaraya II. It tells how a fight between Jains and Srivaishnavas went before the king, who ordered that Jain temples be allowed the five great instruments. Another, of about 1540, unusually records land granted on the orders of the god Kalleshwara himself.