Tuesday, 3 March 2020

HERO STONES / NADUKARKAL / VEERAKALLU OF ERODE DISTRICT, TAMIL NADU.

03rd & 04th February 2020.
During our Temples Visit in Erode and Karur Districts, scheduled on 03rd & 04th February 2020, we came across some hero stones either installed in side the temples or in open ground. Some of the Hero stones are still under worship on daily or annually.  In addition to the Hero stones we happened to see loose sculptures and megalithic period burial monuments.

TITLE              : Pulikuthi Sati Stone
PLACE             : PATLUR, in Erode District
LOCATION       : Kariyakaliamman Temple
PERIOD           : 15th to 16th Century.
DETAILS         :
This pulikuthi hero stone is found in the Kariyakaliamman temple. In this the hero is killing a tiger with a spear. The hero wears a half dress below his waist. A kattar is shown on his waist. The tiger’s front legs are shown resting on the Hero’s left hand and one of the back leg rests on the hero’s left knee. His wife who took sati is shown on the left side.



TITLE              : Hero Stones, Sati Stone and Navakandam of Lady
PLACE             : Olagadam in Erode District
LOCATION       : Sri Olageshwara Temple
PERIOD           12th to 13th Century.
DETAILS         :
This group consists of 3 Hero stones of which two belongs to a sati stone in which the hero and his wife are carved separate stone slabs. In the hero stone the hero  holds a sword in the right and and a different weapon in the left hand. On the top Sun and moon are shown. On the right a cow is shown. This hero might have  died in the process of safeguarding the cattle ( ஆநிரை மீட்டல் ).

Believed that the wife of the hero is shown with a pot in the right hand may be a toddy pot and the left hand is in the raised position. What is shown in that hand is not known.




The third nadukal is  carved out of white stone, in that a lady is shown holding her knife on her right hand. Since the Nadukal is damaged couldn’t get more details. This is one of the rare Hero stone erected for a lady who took the navakandam 


TITLE              : Hero Stones
PLACE             : PATLUR, In Erode District
LOCATION       : Near Vageeswarar Temple
PERIOD           : 14th Century.
DETAILS         :
This group consists 3 Hero stones. The center one was erected for a hero, who holds a parasu like a weapon in his right hand and a shield in the left hand. He might have died in a war. Inscriptions are found on the right side corner of the hero stone.


On the left side slab stone a Horse with three ladies are carved. The center lady carries a child on her hip and the other lady carries something on her head.


On the right, a memorial stone erected for a Horse. A seat is shown on its back. This shows that the horse might have died in the war along with the hero.

TITLE              Hero Stone
PLACE             : Anthiyur in Erode District
LOCATION       : Veerabadraswamy Temple
PERIOD           : 16th to 17th Century.
DETAILS         :
This hero stone is erected outside the temple. The hero holds a spear in his right hand and a shield in the left hand. A simple half dress without any frills is shown on his waist. A Kattar is also shown on his waist. Tuft is also shown above his head.

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

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