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 ---

The remains of Jainism at Vasalurpatti, Karaiyankattu Patti, Melkalingam of Kolli Hills / Kollimalai, கொல்லிமலை, in Namakkal District, Tamil Nadu.

The Visit to these Tirthankara images and Temples at Kolli Hills was a part of Kolli Hills Heritage walk  - “வல்வில் ஒரி தேச மரபு நடை..” organised by எண்திசை வரலாற்று மரபுநடை குழு, on 20^th and 21^st May 2023. Thanks to A T Mohan to take us to these Jainism heritage sites. 

 

The presence of Tirthankara images on many parts of the Kolli Hills indicates that Jainism was flourished in a large extend during  6^th to 10^th Century in Kolli region. Even after the 1000 years, ie after the Jainisam faced its downfall, still many villages of Kolli Hills are not met with basic amenities like medical, transport etc. We could not imagined the services rendered to the Villagers / Hill tribes by the Jain monks, who lived in this hills region, practiced Jainism.  

Tirthankara Image at Vasalurpatti, Kolli Hills.

This Tirthankara is under a naval Tree in the midst of plantain farm. This Tirthankara is facing east in sitting posture. This Tirthankara is in the form of an idol. The samaratharis and mukkudai might have been a separate attachment. Tirthankara is with elongated earlobe and a beautiful smile on his face.  Tirthankara might have been installed in a small sanctorum.

LOCATION OF THE TIRTHANKARA IMAGE : CLICK HERE

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Ancient Jain Idol - Karaiyankattu Patti / ஆன்சியண்ட் ஜெயின் ஐடால் - கரையான்காட்டு பட்டி /Karaiyankattupatti, Kolli Hills.

This Jain temple is just above the Village, inside the pepper creeper forest facing east. This Jain temple was built on stone pada bandha adhisthanam and the sanctum sanctorum was built with bricks and the ceiling is covered with stone slabs. A small balipeedam was constructed during recent years.

The Tirthankara is sitting on a simha asanam. A mukkudai is shown over his head and Samaratharis are shown on both sides.

LOCATION OF THE TIRTHANKARA       : CLICK HERE

Ancient Digambara Jain Temple /  பழமையான திகம்பர ஜைன திருத்தலம் / சமணாண்டி பாட்டன் / MelKalingam / மேல்கலிங்கம் / கொல்லிமலை / Kolli Hills.

This Tirthankara and Parsvanathar images are in a small Temple facing South, which is about 25 to 30 feet above the Road and on the other side of the road, entrance to Ettukai / Kollipaavai Amman Temple.  The Locals calls this Tirthankara as Samanaandi Pattan ( Pattan - grand father and Samanandi – Jain monk ).

 

The Tirthankara is in meditating posture, with the hands are on the lap, palms facing up on a simha asanam. A Mukkudai is shown above his head and samaratharis / chowri bearers are shown on both sides.

 

The snake above Parshvanathar is found broken. Parshvanathar is in kayotsarga posture.

There is another sculpture in a fragment stone, standing below the Parshvanathar. The Sculpture seems to be unfinished. May be Parshvanathar.

LOCATION OF THIS JAIN TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

A Chozha period Shiva Temple in ruins / An ancient dilapidated Shiva Temple, Kolli Hills, Namakkal District, Tamil Nadu.

The Visit to this Dilapidated Shiva Temple near Boat House at Kolli Hills was a part of Kolli Hills Heritage walk  - “வல்வில் ஒரி தேச மரபு நடை..." organised by எண்திசை வரலாற்று மரபுநடை குழு, on 20^th and 21^st May 2023. Thanks to AT Mohan for taking us to this dilapidated Shiva Temple. 

The dilapidated temple is facing east. Moolavar Shiva Lingam is on a round avudayar is in the sanctum sanctorum is open to sky. Rishabam is in the ardha mandapam.  Moolavar is under worship and poojas are conducted.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala and ardha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a pada bandha adhisthanam with jagathy, three patta kumudam and Pattika. The bhitti / walls was constructed with double wall. 

The ardha mandapam  is still standing on a square & octagonal pillars with vettu pothyal. 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The side Columns and the lintel of the entrance to the antarala has the 10^th to 11^th Century inscription. Hence we may presume that this Shiva temple existed since 10^th Century. The inscriptions do not have continuity due to the collapse of side walls, hence the details are not known.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Ettukai Amman Temple / Kollipavai Temple / எட்டுக்கை அம்மன் கோயில் | கொல்லிப்பாவை கோயில், Araiyurnadu, Kollimalai, Namakkal District, Tamil Nadu.

The Visit to this Ettukai Amman Temple, also called as Kolli Pavai Temple, at Kolli Hills was a part of Kolli Hills Heritage walk  - “வல்வில் ஒரி தேச மரபு நடை...” organised by எண்திசை வரலாற்று மரபுநடை குழு, on 20^th and 21^st May 2023.

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Moolavar : Kotravai / Kollipavai / Ettukai Amman

Some of the salient features of this temple are...

This ettukai Amman temple is facing north, on a tiny hill with neatly constructed steps. An Ayyanar with an elephant on the base is on the left side of the way towards the Ettukai Amman Temple.  Also there is an Amman in standing posture with 8 hands is at the left side of the foot hills. Vinayagar and Nagars are at the end of the steps near to the main temple.

Ettukai Amman is in a thatched roof with palm leafs hut and the walls are built with bricks ( sanctum Sanctorum ). Ettukai Amman is with 8 hands holding various weapons, in sitting posture. Amman is always covered with sandal paste.

HISTORY

Ettukai Amman is also called as Kolli Pavai as per the sangam literature. It was told that this Ettukai Amman is a Ashtabhuja Kotravai, who was worshipped since sangam period. But as per the researchers this Ettukai Amman may belongs to 9^th to 10^th Century.  

On 02nd May 2014 Utsavar idol was gifted by the Devotees of Avinshi & Erode. 

LEGENDS

As per the legends, the demons disturbed the Siddhars and saints penance. So they prayed to Kollipavai ( the “Maid of Death” – Kolli Pavai ) to protect them from the evil forces. Kollipavai chased away the demons with her beautiful smile.

In another legend, the Saints and Siddhars requested asura architect Maya to make an idol called Kollipavai to protect them from the evil forces. Thus the Kollipavai attracts the evil forces and destroy them with her beautiful smile.

 

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

The poojas are done not as per any agama and by the local non Brahmins ie Poojaris.  Devotees throng in large numbers on Amavasya – No moon days to do pariharams.

Devotees prays Ettukai Amman to get rid of evil forces, to remove marriage obstacles, child boon, to get win court cases & litigations, to get united the separated couples etc.

Devotees used to tie the copper sheets written with their prayers in the temple. Used to put a locks to win in court cases. The separated couple’s relatives used to tie their clothes on the Trishul to get reunited. 

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept opened between 06.00 hrs to 20.00 Hrs.  

CONTACT DETAILS

The priest may be contacted on his mobile +919159698258 may be contacted for Poojas.

HOW TO REACH

The temple is at Melkalingam. About 200 meters from Chozhamudayar Temple, 5 KM from Arappaleeswarar Temple, 50 KM from Namakkal ( 72 Hairpin bends ) and 85 KM from Salem Junction. Nearest Railway Station is Salem.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---