The visit to this Hero Stone installed in front of a Selli Amman Temple at Keelaiyur, in Ariyalur District, was part of the “Perambalur & Ariyalur Districts Heritage Walk” organised by Aatrupadai - ஆற்றுப்படை – A Tours and Heritage group on 4th and 5th November 2023. The Selli Amman Temple might have been big, with mandapas during Pazhuvettaraiya's period. But now the temple is only a sanctum sanctorum without a Vimanam. The Mandapam pillars and the Vimana kalasa are scattered around the temple.
An Arikanda Hero Stone / Veerakallu is installed in front of this Selli Amman Temple. Usually, hero stones are installed in front of Amman temples like Selli Amman, Kotravai, and Kali Temples for the Heros who sacrificed their lives for some specific purpose. The purpose may be for the well-being of a King/leader, to win a war, to get cured of an incurable disease for self or his loved ones, etc. These hero stones are erected mostly by his blood relatives, like brother, father, son, etc. This Hero stone is worshipped as Savankaruppu by the Locals.
The Hero stone is about 3 feet tall above the Ground. The Hero is in kneeled posture, holding a sword in the right hand, and the left hand is firmly holding the neatly tied tuft. His right knee is touching the ground, and the foot is up, touching the hip. He is wearing ornaments in his elongated earlobes, neck, and hands. He is wearing a half-dress below his waist, and a kattar is tied at the hip.
Since this Hero stone is without inscription, the exact reason for giving the arikandam is not known. This Hero stone may belong to the Pazhuvettaraiyar period due to the following reasons. This place is very close to Pazhuvettaraiyar’s Capital City; the iconography and Navakanda / arikandam (usually done by the soldiers), etc.
LOCATION OF THE HERO STONE: CLICK HERE
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
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