29th December 2019.
This 10th Century, Parantaka Chozha Period Nadukal or a Hero stone of type “Thoongu Thalai or Thooku Thalai” is found erected for a hero who sacrificed himself to Kotravai, at Vinnamangalam Eri banks. The Vinnamangalam Village was a part of Thondai mandalam during Chozhas and Pallavas period. This type of Hero stones are considered as a rare one, since only 4 numbers are identified in Tamil Nadu, till date. The word “Thoongu Thalai - தூங்கு தலை” – is inscribed, on a hero stone found at Thirumalaichery Village of Vellore District. With the available evidences, this types of sacrificing may be followed till 10th Century. The Thoongu Thalai, hero stones are mentioned in sangam literature Kalingathu Parani also, which reads as....
“வீங்குதலை நெடுங்கழையின் விசைதொறும்
திசைதொறும் விழித்துநின்று தூங்கு தலை..”
--- கலிங்கத்துப்பரணி பாடல் எண் 117
Usually Thoongu Thalai sacrifice to Goddess Kotravai will be for various reasons. The reasons may include, to get victory over the war, for the wellness of kings, or to get cured from deceases, etc,.
The procedure adopted is, the tuft of the hero’s head will be tied to one end of the bamboo with flexibility called “Thalai Thoongu Nedumaram”. The head of the hero will be chopped off by a person and the head will be lifted in the space.
In this Thoongu thalai Hero stone is about 3.2 feet wide and 4 feet high in a small temple with two women sculptures, whose faces are turned right are installed. The hero is in sitting posture, keeping one leg folded and other leg knee in lifted condition ( Rajaleelasana ?). The left hand id on his raised knee and right hand is holding a sword. The head is shown with a gap of about 5 inches and tuft is tied to the bamboo. He is wearing an ornament in his neck and a half dress is shown below the waist.
Chozha King Parantaka-I ‘s 7th year rule, inscription is inscribed on the top of this Thoongu Thalai Hero Stone. The inscription reads as...
- ஸ்வஸ்திஸ்ரீ கோப்பரகேசரிபன்மற்கு
- யாண்டு ஏழாவது ஓடக்காசு திரையர் விண்
- ணமங்கலமான இடக்காத்தரையர் நம்
- பி சோழதேவன் பெருங்கமை
LOCAL LEGEND:
There is a local story about this hero stone. The legend
goes like this... The hero was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva. He
ran out of the village Vinnamangalam, when he was young due to
difference of opinion between his Sisters. He returned back to this Village
after long period and started religious service. Two women’s are
helpful for the poojas. When he came to know that they were his sisters, he
told them he ran out of the Village, since he don’t want to see their faces
again. The sisters were ashamed of their acts and turned their faces.
Immediately he cuts his head. From then onwards his descendants worshiped him
as a God. This story was narrated by one of his descendant Mr Gobi
( 9025120914 )
LOCATION: CLICK HERE
Thoombu kalvettu
HERO STONE AT MANDI, VINNAMANGALAM
This Hero stone is erected in a place called Mandi a part of Vinnamangalam. The hero stone is about 4 feet high and 3 feet wide. The Hero is standing in a tribhanga posture. He is holding a sword in his right hand and a shield in the left hand. He was killed due to hitting of three arrows, of which one arrow pierced through his body. Below him are two cattle. This indicates that he was kill in the process of guarding his cattle. On the top he was shown worshiping a Shiva Lings. This indicates that he obtained the Shivalok.
MEMORIAL STONE AT PERUMAL TEMPLE
This memorial stone is installed at the left side of the Rajagopuram. This may be Sati. After her husband’s death she might have entered in a funeral fire. On both side are the Devakannis escorts them to Devalok. Since this memorial stone is highly eroded, full details could not be traced.
LOCATION: CLICK HERE
Ref: Thadayaththai thedi published by Yaaooyakey & Celebrate Kanchi”
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
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