25th July 2019.
Had been to Coimbatore in connection with a personal work on 25th July 2019 and asked Mr Vijayakumar ( Peruvakai Kondan ), one of my face book friend to took me to the Kumittipathi, rock arts cave. In the midst of his busy schedule, he took me to Kumittipathi. Thanks Viji. From Ukkadam Bus terminus, on the way to Pollachi I got down at Malumichampatty. From there we went through his Motor Cycle.
On the Way to Kumittipathi, happened to see many village names are ending with “Pathy”, which indicates that this places are the Human settlements from ancient times. This Kumittipathi “Padaimalai Hill” is a part of western Ghats and a border Village between Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
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The Kumittipathi “Padaimalai Hill”, has naturally formed caves in which pre-historic human beings lived. The lower level, two caves has the white ochre paintings. In the lower level cave, a group of white ochre paintings depicting decorated Chariots are pulled by the human beings. Next to the first Chariot there is a painting looks similar to a chariot, but some experts are of the opinion that it may be a “Peacock”. Experts of the opinion that these white ocher paintings / Rock arts are more than 3000 years old. This indicates that recent period Chariot / Temple car pulling festivals at temples, are celebrated / practiced even before 3000 years.
The art below the elephant may be Chariot or a Peacock as per the experts.
In addition to this, there is a man sitting on an elephant is drawn. The man ( mahout ) holds an “angusam” like a weapon. Experts of the opinion that the man catches the wild elephants and taming for the domestic use. This place comes under Chera Kingdom and there is a saying that “ CheraNadu Velamudaithu” which means the Chera Nadu in Western Ghats, was known for many elephants. There are two places very near to Kumittipathi, called Velanthavalam and Mavuthampathi are associated with elephants. The Velanthavanam may be separated as Velam- Elephant ( யானை ) and Thavalam – a centre or a market ( சந்தை ). And the place Mavuthampathi – a place of living for the Mahouts, who controls the elephants. Mavuth – Mahout – யானை பாகன், and again Pathi is a living place or the Village. These type of Painting / Rock arts can seen in Karikkaiyur and Mathakadiputhur of Kongu region. Hence Kongu Region hill areas are known for elephants and trading might have been done with Chozhas and Pandyas.
The Upper cave has a group of peoples rock art. The group of people consists of tall and short, looks like a family
We also noticed two lines are drawn with red ochre. This may a part of painting which might have been damaged due to weather and age.
In addition to the Rock arts / Paintings, on the way to Kumittipathi, Mr Viji had shown me a Pulikuthi Hero stone, half buried, on the side of the road. The Pulikuthi Hero Stone is under worship.
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
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