Pallava period, Thavai / Jyeshta Devi, Ayyanar and Kotravai Sculptures at Saram Village, Villupuram District, Tamil Nadu.

The Visit to this Pallava period Jyeshta Devi Ayyanar and Kotravai sculptures at Saram Village was a part of “Shiva, Jain Temples and Heritage Sites Visit”, at Saram and Ananthamangalam near Tindivanam, on 04^th February 2024. 

JYESHTA DEVI AT SRI AGASTHEESWARAR TEMPLE, SARAM. 

There are Jyeshta Devi sculptures found in this Village of which one is installed at Sri Uthama Agastheeswarar Temple at Saram. Jyeshta Devi is in sitting posture with legs apart. A crow flag is shown on her right side. She wears karanda makuda, padra kundala in the elongated earlobes, ornaments around the neck, right hand is abhaya hastam and left hand is touching the pedestal. Manthan and manthi are in standing posture on both sides. This Jyeshta Devi is under worship.

LOCATION OF JYESHTA DEVI       : CLICK HERE

JYESHTA DEVI AT SARAM, IN THE MIDST OF THE FIELDS. 

I was directed to see the second Jyeshta Devi, in the midst of the fields after crossing the Railway line from the Village. This Jyeshta Devi Sculptures is in slanting position. Jyeshta Devi is in sitting posture with legs apart. A crow flag is shown on her right side and a broom is shown on her left side. She wears karanda makuda, padra kundala in the elongated earlobes, ornaments around the neck, right hand is abhaya Hastam and left hand is touching the pedestal.  Manthan and manthi are in standing posture on both sides. Manthi is in a highly eroded condition.   

LOCATION OF JYESHTA DEVI       : CLICK HERE

AYYANAR AT SRI AGASTHEESWARAR TEMPLE, SARAM.

This Ayyanar is installed on the north west corner of the temple. Ayyanar is in Rajaleelasana sitting posture keeping the left hand on the left knee ( Pallava hastam ) and right hand on the thigh.  

LOCATION OF AYYANAR        : CLICK HERE

KOTRAVAI AT SARAM.

This Kotravai idol on a flat stone is installed in an Amman  Temple, facing east. This kotravai is in standing posture on a Mahishn’s head ( buffalo ), in samabhanga. Kotravai is with 8 hands holding Shankha, Chakra, Sword, Shield, bow, and lower left hand is kadi hastam. She wears ornaments around the neck and in the elongated ear lobes. On her right a man is shown in kneeled position with a knife in the right hand ( may be nava kandam ) and on her right side a man is shown in worshipping posture ( Anjali hastam ).

LOCATION OF KOTRAVAI      : CLICK HERE

HOW TO REACH    

The Agastheeswarar temple is about a KM from the Saram Bus stop on GST Road, before Tindivanam.

The temple is about 10 KM from Tindivanam, 91 KM from Tambaram, 121 KM from Chennai Central.

Nearest Railway Station is Tindivanam.

Pallava Period Vinayagar

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

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 ---