The Archaeological Survey of India lists the rock edicts on the two hillocks known as Gavimath and Palkigundu together, but they are not one inscription and not one stop. The distinction matters when you visit: Gavimath lies beside the living matha precinct, while Palkigundu is a separate boulder hill west of the town centre.
A public message on local stone
Ashoka’s Minor Rock Edicts were not palace records. They carried an ethical and administrative message out across the Mauryan realm in scripts and languages local readers could encounter. Koppal’s examples remain compelling because the granite landscape is still visible around the letters.
How to visit without harming them
Use the same rule at both sites: look closely, photograph without touching, and never chalk, wet or trace a letter to make it clearer. These actions damage the surface and turn a private photograph into permanent loss.