Elements of Fort (Part XI)

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Continue reading from Part X

Some Types of Vargas:

1. Govardhangal (गोवर्धनगळ):

If a hero dies defending his Godhan (गाय), it is called Govardhangal. In such veergals, the hero is usually shown with his godhan in the bottom frame.

2. Vyaghragal (व्याघ्रगळ):

If a hero dies while killing a tiger, it is called Vaghragal. In such veergals, the hero is usually shown fighting with a tiger in the bottom frame.

3. Quadrilateral Virgal (चतुर्भुज वीरगळ):

In this type of veergal, veergal is carved on all four sides of the same sheela / stone. They are veergals of four different heroes. Usually, when the heroes of the same family or village were killed in the same war, such a veergal was created.

Veeranganagal:

Veeranganagal was created when a woman warrior or hero died a heroic death.

Satishila:

After the death of the husband, a sculpture of a specific shape is carved on a stone slab known as satishila, in memory of the wife who has passed away in his funeral pyre. In this, the arm of a woman who had committed sati was carved with bangles. As great as Sati is the wife of a hero, so great is her honor. For example, some Sati are shown making their way to Kailasa on horseback. It’s structure is also somewhat similar to that of Veergal. As much as Veera’s wives have committed sati, you see women’s hands in satis. Especially these are the right hands. Similarly, you see Sati worshiping Shivlinga with Veera and walking Kailas.

Gaddegal / Hattigal / Varahgal :

It is a kind of curse. There is a feeling behind this neck that whoever steals or misuses the temple’s reward, donation from the temple, will be cursed.

In this sculpture, if there is a donkey and a woman, it is called Gaddegal, if there is an elephant and a woman, it is called Hattigal, and if there is a pig and a woman, it is called Varahgal. Moon and Sun are also carved in this sculpture which looks similar to Veergal, which means this curse will continue till the moon and sun. Along with this, the sculpture also has an inscription engraved in any open space. In which the information about the Donation of the temple and other things are engraved. Curses or insults/bad words are also engraved along with it. These sculptures usually do not have frames like Veeragals.

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