Satikals in Hampi

Satikals or hero stones, commemorates the brave wife who perished usually by fire at the death of her husband. Satikals are of four types: Satikals - the sati stone, Sati-Virakal - Sati and the hero stone. Virakal - hero stone and the suicide memorial.

 

The stone on the left, found in the small museum near the elephant stable in the Royal enclosure, shows the typical iconography. The sati with her upright right arm bent at the elbow clearly showing bangles. with the hand open in abhaya mudra. The bangle symbolizes the married state. the left hand is generally extended down and a lime or a pot is sometimes grasped in this hand. the lime symbolizes fertility, also sacrifice.

 

This satikal has two panels.

The lower panel shows the sati with her husband while the upper panel shows the swarga - the abode of the kings - with the linga and the nandi, sometimes the man, alone or with his wife/wives. The sun and the moon are clearly seen