The Chalukyan Architecture of the Kanarese Districts c43.8

c43.8

At Koṇṇūr, near the Gokāk Falls, are extensive groups of dolmens which are scattered about in the fields. Like the Aihole ones on the hill, these have been enclosed with side slabs, but, unlike them, they all face one direction, the south—the region of Yama, the god of death. From this fact and the discovery of sherds of pottery and ash, buried in the earth beneath them, it is safe to conclude that they are old burial places. A curious thing about these is that, in front of their southern entrances are set up, in each case, two flat slabs on edge leaving a narrow lane of approach between them. The cells vary in size, but average about four feet square inside, and are proportionately high. Tradition ascribes these to the Jains as burial places (Plate CLII).