Hero Stone, Sowdapuram/ Southapuram / சௌதாபுரம், Namakkal District, Tamil Nadu.

The Visit to this Hero stone at Sowdapuram / Sowthapuram  in Namakkal District was a part of “Namakkal District Temples and Heritage sites Visit”- on 23^rd February 2024. This Hero stone is little different from other hero stones erected for a Lady. This Hero stone is on the west banks of the Semoor Periya Lake. Locals calls this Hero stone as “Kuravan- Kurathi kal- குறவன் குறத்திகல்“. During Rainy season it be difficult to approach this Hero Stone.

In this hero Stone A lady and a man with a sword pointing her chest. Inscriptions are found on the top of the Hero Stone. As per the inscriptions the man Semoor Ilayappan’s Son Sangan, killed the lady ie Gunamayan’s Devi. The actual reason is not known. The inscription reads as… 

   

"சேமூர் இளையப்பன் மகன் சங்கன் என்பவன் குணம்மயனின் தேவியை கொன்றான் "

Since the actual reasons are known, there are some legends circulates among the local people.

As per the legend, the lady tried to raise the banks of the Semoor Periya eri, for the benefit of the people, which was objected by 6 families of this Village. So the 6 family members, instigate her husband by spreading rumours, which made the Husband to kill the lady.

In another legend, 6 families instigate her husband, spreading rumours and tortured her. Unable to tolerate the torture, She cursed the 6 families, jumped in to the lake and died. Due to the curse except one or two families, the others died and that two families do not have children.

LOCATION OF THE HERO STONE : CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA --- 

Nedungal / நெடுங்கல் / Menhir/ Seerapalli and Pachal Namakkal District, Tamil Nadu.

The Visit to these Menhirs at Seerapalli and Pachal in Namakkal District was a part of Namakkal District Temples and Heritage sites Visit on 23^rd February 2024. As per the historians these burial monuments belongs to stone age ie 3000 to 1800 BCE and practiced till the Sangam age ie 300 BCE to 200 CE. Mostly these menhirs are erected for a Group Leader along with Cairn Circles with Cist at the centre.

Both these Menhis are called as nattangkal – நட்டாங்கல். Any functions in any of the temple will start after doing a pooja to these Menhirs.

NEDUNGAL / நெடுங்கல் / MENHIR at Seerapalli, Namakkal District.

This menhir at Seerapalli a residential colony after Muthayammal Polytechnic College. The Menhir is about 10 feet height above the platform and about 4 feet width. The platform is constructed during recent years. This Menhir is under worship.

LOCATION OF MENHIR  : CLICK HERE

NEDUNGAL / நெடுங்கல் / MENHIR at Pachal, Namakkal District.

This menhir at Pachal is on the west side of the Pachal Junction ( Kullamanickampatti to Pachal road ). The Menhir is about 6 feet high above the Ground level and about 3 feet width. This Menhir is under worship. As per the locals, any functions in the Village will start after doing a Pooja to this Menhir.  

LOCATION OF MENHIR  : CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Pulikuthi Hero Stone / புலிகுத்திக்கல் at Sri Sellandi Amman Temple, Mallasamudram, Namakkal District, Tamil Nadu.

The Visit to this Pulikuthikal a Hero stone in Sri Sellandi Amman Temple at Mallasamudram was a part of “Namakkal District Temples and Heritage sites Visit”-  on 23^rd February 2024.  

In this Pulikuthi hero stone the hero is killing a tiger with a sword. The sword is pierced through the body of the tiger. The hero is wearing a half dress below his waist. He is shown with big mustache and the tuft is straight on his head.

This hero stone may belongs to 16^th to 17^th century.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Jyeshta Devi / Thavvai Sculptures / ஜேஷ்டா தேவி / தவ்வைத்தாய் of Perum Pazhuvur, Melapazhuvur, Thirupazhuvur in Ariyalur District and Valikandapuram in Perambalur Districts, Tamil Nadu.

The Jyeshta Devi sculptures are parivara Devathai shrines of main temples in Ariyalur and Perambalur Districts was a part of “Perambalur & Ariyalur Districts Heritage Walk” organised by Aatrupadai - ஆற்றுப்படை – A Tours and Heritage group on 4^th and 5^th , November 2023.

These Jyeshta Devi sculptures are in the Pazhuvettarayar period temples, which indicates that Jyeshta Devi worship might be very much popular during their period. Almost all the sculptures are with similar iconography, but with slight variations. All Jyeshta Devi’s are slim, elegant and beautiful, compared to Thondai mandalam Jyeshta Devi sculptures.

Jyeshta Devi at Valeeswarar Temple, at Valikandapuram, Perambalur District, Tamil Nadu.

In this Jyeshta Devi sculpture looks very beautiful. She is in sitting posture along with Manthan and Manthi. She is shown with karanda makudam, ornaments around the neck, in elongated earlobes and sannaveeram. Crow flag is shown on the right side of her back. The right hand is in abhaya hastam and left hand is resting on the seat. This Jyeshta Devi is under worship in the praharam on the back side of the main temple. 

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

Jyeshta Devi at Twin Temples, Keezhaiyur, Ariyalur District, Tamil Nadu.

In this Jyeshta Devi sculpture, Jyeshta Devi is in sitting posture along with Manthan and Manthi. She is shown with karanda makudam, ornaments around the neck, in elongated earlobes and sannaveeram. The surface seems to be unfinished behind, hence the crow flag and broom stick couldn’t identified. She is holding a flower in the right hand. This Jyeshta Devi is not under worship.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

Jyeshta Devi at Sri Sundareswarar Temple, Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple, Melapalur, Ariyalur District, Tamil nadu.

In this Jyeshta Devi looks very beautiful, is in sitting posture along with Manthan and Manthi. She is shown with karanda makudam, ornaments around the neck &  in elongated earlobes and sannaveeram. A crow flag is shown on her left side. She is holding a flower in the right hand. This Jyeshta Devi is under worship in a separate sannidhi on the back side of the main temple.  

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

 

Jyeshta Devi at Maravaneeswarar Mahadevar Temple, Keezha Pazhuvur, Ariyalur District, Tamil Nadu.

In this Jyeshta Devi sculpture, She looks very beautiful, in sitting posture along with Manthan and Manthi. She is shown with karanda makudam, ornaments around the neck & in elongated earlobes and sannaveeram. Crow flag and broom stick are not shown. She is holding a flower in the right hand and the left hand is on her thigh like ooru hastam. This Jyeshta Devi is under worship in a separate sannidhi on the back side of the main temple. 

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Arikanda / Navakanda Hero Stone at Sri Selli Amman Temple, Keelaiyur, Ariyalur District, Tamil Nadu.

The Visit to this Hero Stone installed in front of a Selli Amman Temple at Keelaiyur, in Ariyalur District was a part of “Perambalur & Ariyalur Districts Heritage Walk” organised by Aatrupadai - ஆற்றுப்படை – A Tours and Heritage group on 4^th and 5^th , November 2023. The Selli Amman Temple might have been big with mandapas during Pazhuvettaraiya's period. But, now the temple is only with sanctum sanctorum without Vimanam. The Mandapam pillars and the Vimana kalasa are scattered around the temple. 

 

An Arikanda Hero Stone / Veerakallu is installed in-front of this Selli Amman Temple. Usually Hero stones are installed in front of Amman temples like, Selli Amman, Kotravai, Kali Temples for the Heros who sacrificed their lives, for some specific purpose. The purpose may be for the wellbeing of a King / leader, to win a war, to get cured from a incurable deceases for self or his loved ones, etc,.  These hero stones are erected mostly by his blood relatives, like, brother, father, son, etc. This Hero stone is worshipped as Savankaruppu by the Locals.

The Hero stone is about 3 feet tall above the Ground. The Hero is in kneeled posture holding a sword in the right hand and left hand is firmly holding the neatly tied tuft. His right leg knee is touching the ground and the foot is up touching the hip. He is wearing ornaments in his elongated earlobes, neck and hands. He is wearing half dress below his waist and a kattar is tied with hip.

Since this Hero stone is without inscription, the exact reason for giving the arikandam is not known. This Hero stone may belongs to Pazhuvettaraiyar period due to the following reasons. This place is very close to Pazhuvettaraiyar’s Capital City, the iconography and Navakanda / arikandam ( usually  done by the soldiers ), etc.

LOCATION OF THE HERO STONE : CLICK HERE

 

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---