For the first time in the history of Dakshina Kannada, a Menhir of Megalithic period found at Nintikallu in Murulya Village of Sullya taluk at D.K. district says Prof. Murugeshi T., Associate Professor, Dept of Ancient History and Archaeology, MSRS College, Shirva, Udupi, in his press release here today. Megalithic culture is predominantly represented by diffrent types of burials in Coastal Karnataka. On the left side of Dayananda Gowda’s house the Menhir islocated in the open court-yard, lower half of the menhir is buried in the recently built round concrete flatform which is now called as Vanadurga Katte. Presently a femele deity worshipped here. Menhirs were known by varoius names like, Nilskal, Nintikal, Anekallu, Rakkasakal, Garbinikal and so on in South India. At Basruru, Nitturu and Subhasnagara of Udupi district they peculierly known as Garbiniyara kallu. It is a free standing stone, slightly leaning towards north west direction. The menhir found in the present site is an undressed natural stone of about 10 feet in height.
It is closly resembles the menhir found at siddalingapura in coorg and Nilskal in Shivamogga. Dayananda Gowda the resident of Nintikallu said that it was popularly called as Nintikal by the people and while digging for the construction round the stone they found red potteries of thick section. It is very clear that the place Nintikallu got its name from this menhir as we have seen in the case of Nilskal. Nilskal in Hosangar taluk of the shimogga district also got its name by number of huge upright standing stones. I am thankful to Dayananda Gowda Nintikallu, Nischith Golitadi, Shreyas kolape, Vivek master Udupi Bailur and my students Pratheeka, Arun, Dishanth and Vishal Rai Putturu for their cooperation.