Replica of Athagur inscription installed in honour of a dog unveiled in Mandya.
Athagur inscription:
The Athagur inscription is carved on a hero stone dated to the 10th Century CE and was installed in honour of a dog called Kali, which belonged to Butuga II, who was a vassal of a Rashtrakuta king.
According to the inscription, the dog helped one of the deputies of Butuga II called Manalera or Manaralata in the war against the Cholas.
Pleased with its services, Manalera sought it as a gift from Butuga II in return for his services in the war.
Later, when Manalera was on a hunt, the dog died in a fight with a wild boar.
In its honour, a hero stone was installed in front of the Challeshwara temple at Athagur.
The inscription refers to the battle and the sequence of events besides the name of the dog and is one of its kind.
