SRI RAMESVARA TEMPLE, NARASAMANGALAM, CHAMARAJNAGAR TALUK, KARNATAKA

08^th December 2018.

Visit to this temple was a part of Thalavadi Heritage walk. With out proper direction  and mobile signals ( google maps ), we found very difficult to locate this temple.  And finally we reached the spot. This temple is being maintained by Archaeological Survey of India ( ASI). Even-though it was a Sunday, the care taker opened the sanctum door.  

The sanctum sanctorum consists of a 10 feet square sanctum and height of about 7 feet, 18 feet arthamandapa and an open mukamandapa. The steps side walls to the muka mandapa, has the reliefs of sanga nidhi and Padma Nidhi. Dwarabalakas are at the entrance of arthamandapa. Both dwarabalakas are standing in un-identical position. The arthamandapam is being supported by lathe turned 4 numbers of Ganga period hard soap stone pillars. Ashtathik balakas panel with dancing Shiva at the center is on the arthamandapa ceiling.  There is a big size Sandikeswara statue kept in the arthamandapa, perhaps for the safety reasons it might have kept in the arthamandapa.  In between pillars reliefs of lions, horses and makara headed fish. One of the capital of a pillar has the relief of Ganga King and his wife. The beams of the arthamandapa  has the reliefs of dancing, moving, fighting / wrestling dwarf bootha ganas with  various heads like monkey, elephant etc. In the sanctum the moolavar is unique of 22 inches in diameter stands on a darkish black stone avudayar.  

The Adhistanam has, oorthuva padma, round Kumuda and yazhivari similar to Srinivasanallur Shiva Temple. The Koshtams are empty now. The Vimana is of two tier built with brick and mortar. Various postures of Shiva Like. Gajasamkaramurthy, Dhakshinamurthy, Alinganamurthy, Rashabandhikar, dancers etc, adorn the Vimana. Most of the images are multilated yet the remains is enough to indicates the remarkable elegance and fine taste of Gangas. The Vimana is very much similar to the Dharmaraja Ratham of Mamallapuram Pallava period monolithic rock cut Temple. The Construction has the influence of Pallava architecture.

In the outer prakaram Nandhi is on a platform and it’s ears are found broken. On the North west corner platform there is a Mahishamardhini statue.   On the South west corner there is a building which houses Saptha mathar statues, Jain Tirthankara Pashvanath and Vinayagar statues. In addition to there are inscription stones and Hero stones. In addition to this there is a Shiva linga with avudayar on the south east platform.

The temple was built during 9^th century Ganga period and the king who built the temple is not known. This is one of the very old  and earliest temple  built with stone and Stucco in Karnataka. One the Tamil Inscription stone speaks about a grants made to this temple god Ramanathadeva of Narasamangala by the Hoysala King Viraballala –III.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

 Stucco image on the Vimana

 Stucco image on the Vimana

 Stucco image on the Vimana

 Stucco image on the Vimana

 Shiva's dance at the centre of the ashtathik balakas

 Sandikeswara

 Mahishamardhini

 Stucco image on the Vimana

Stucco image on the Vimana

 The most difficult posture

Adhistanam

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

NAVAKANDA STATUES ( HERO STONES ) AT VIJAYAPURI AMMAN TEMPLE, VIJAYAMANGALAM– A PART OF KONGU NADUKARKAL .

07^th December 2018.

As per Pulavar Dr S Raju “Tamil Nadu was divided in to five regions of which Kongu Nadu was the one. The sangam Literature treats Kongu Nadu as a separate Country. The Kongu Nadu was  ruled some time by the Cheras. The Kongu Nadu has it’s own King and army. The Rajakesari Peruvazhi, one of the ancient trade route to Chera Nadu passes through Kongu Nadu. The Kongu Region was sub divided in to 24 Nadus and Kuruppa Nadu was one of them with Vijayamangalam as a Capital. The Vijayamangalam was once an epicentre  for the Jainism in Tamil Nadu. A Kongu Tamil Sangam was also there in Vijayamangalam.

In 942 CE, Parantaka Chozha-I, appointed one of his relative and  general Veerachozha Mahimalaya Irukkuvel as the King of Kongu Nadu and gave him a title as Kongu Chozha. The King Raja Raja after conquering Ganga Nadu, gave autonomous status to Kongu Nadu.  From 1004 CE Kongu Chozhas ruled Kongu Nadu for almost 300 years. The Kongu Chozhas adopted the name of imperial Chozhas like Vikrama chozha, Kulothunga chozha etc,.  Many Temples were built during their period and joined Chozhas in wars against Cheras and Pandyas.

The subject Three Navakanda Hero stones along with loose sculptures are  installed  in a Amman  temple ( Vijayapuri Amman Temple ) at Vijayamangalam. The temple was believed to be built during Kongu Chozha’s  period.  The three Heros might have sacrificed their lives for the Kings or to get victory in the war. The Heros are wearing ornaments and half dress from hip. All the three has the mustache and two are wearing yagnopavithra. Experts of the opinion that, these Navakanda Hero stones may  belongs to 11^th to 16^th Century, Kongu Chozha / Vijaya nagara period.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

The hero is wearing an yagnopavithra and hair style is like a crown which is different from the other two Navakanda Hero stones. 

 May belongs to Vijayanagara Period

 May belongs to Vijayanagara Period

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

PULIKUTHI PATTAN KAL – ( புலி குத்திப்பட்டான் கல்), PALAPPALAYAM, NEAR GOBICHETTIPALAYAM – A PART OF KONGU NADUKARKAL

 08^th December 2018.

Mr Devan who belongs to Vettuvar Community, working with BSNL  told me about this Pulikuthi Kal temple  at Palappalayam near Gobichettipalayam ( The same person looks after the Kavindapadi Arulmigu Pulikuthi Swamy Tempe). Landed Palappalayam bus stop on the way to Erode  from Gobichettipalayam on 8^th December 2018 around 18.00 hrs. When I inquired the local people, and one man guided me to this temple which is on the old Palappalayam Village before a School.  The temple looked like a cave with a dim light. I could figure out the Pulkuthi Nadukal, standing inside the square sanctum, about 1.5 feet below the out side ground level. The temple was built with a village style pramid vimana.  Once there was a front mandapa and now the stones with reliefs of snake, man. Fish are scattered around the temple.

The Pulikuthi Kal is very simple. The tiger and the hero are carved on a stone slab. The hero is shown in standing position, holding a spear in both hands. Unlike other pulikuthi Hero stones there is a distance maintained between the  Hero and the tiger which also stands on two legs. The hero is wearing a half dress below the hip. Experts are of the opinion that this Pulikuthi Nadu kal  may belongs to 18th to 19th Century.

LOCATION: CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

PULIKUTHI KAL ( புலிகுத்தி பட்டான் கல் ) AT INGUR, NEAR PERUNDURAI, ERODE – A PART OF KONGU NADUKARKAL.

8^th December 2018.

This loose sculpture found in the village was brought to this Sri Thampiratti Amman Temple and installed along with the statues of Donors of this temple and warrior statues in a row. This Sri Thampiratti Amman, a Kula Theivam to Inchan Kulam, a sub sect of Gounder Community in Erode District.

This Pulikuthi Kal is different from the other hero stones. Even-though it was made on a stone slab the outer is cleanly cut and looks like a statue. The hero is killing the tiger with a sword on the right hand and the left hand is shown near the neck of the tiger. A dress below the hip is also shown with out any ornamental work. The hero is wearing a pathra kundala and ornaments on his neck. Experts of the opinion that this Pulikuthi Nadukal may belongs to 18^th to 19^th Century.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

PULIKUTHIKAL WORSHIPED AS ARULMIGU PULIKUTHI SWAMY – ( புலி குத்திப்பட்டான் கல்), KAVINDAPADI NEAR ERODE – A PART OF KONGU NADUKARKAL

08^th December 2018.

It was learnt that there is a Pulikuthi kal  worshiped as Vediappan near Kavindapadi Bus Stand. When  I, inquired near the bus stand, the people are not aware of that, since Hero stones are worshiped as Vediappan Thiruvannamalai & Chengam area.  Instead they asked me the temple belongs to which caste?.  When I told that it belongs to Vettuvar, a medical Shop owner near the bus stand came to my rescue and guided me to this temple. Yes this was the one which I am looking for.

The House like a structure was built during the recent years with a grill gate.  One Mr Devan ( 9489942703 )who belongs to Vettuva Gounder community, working for BSNL is looking after the temple. He came personally and opened the gate. The original  structure above the Pulikuthi kal was disturbed during the construction of this House like structure. Mr Devan told that, during the excavation  for the foundation, they had found the remains ( Bones and Teeth ) of the Hero, Tiger and the dog. They call the Hero as Matheswaran and the temple as Pulikuthi Swamy Temple.  When the pooja was conducted through Priest and Village Poojari ( Pandaram ), the hero came on a person ( Arul vakku ) and told a simple pooja is enough. Special poojas are conducted on Adi month no moon day and Panguni Ugathi  day. 1118 thilaks are applied on the pulikuthi kal and very difficult to find the details of the Pulikuthikal.

In the Pulikuthi kal, the Tiger is shown very big than the hero. The tiger is in standing position keeping it's front legs on the hero. While the hero is killing the Tiger with a spear holding with two hands, his dog is biting the Tiger. The Hero is wearing a dress below the hip and a katar is also shown on his hip.

LOCATION:11.424156 and 77.559368

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

KONGU NADUKARKAL - PULIKUTHI PATTAN KAL ( புலிகுத்திபட்டான் கல் ) – PERUNDALAIYUR.

6^th December 2018

The present fields of Kongu region from western ghats are once  a thick forest till 18^th century.  The Pulikuthi  hero stones are found in many places till Kangeyam area. During my recent visit to my native place,  had seen such Pulikuthi hero stones in three places.  Unlike Chengam Nadukarkal ( worshiped as Vediappan ), these hero stones are not given with a common name and also importance was not given.  This may be due to the real story of these Pulikuthi Heros are not passed on to their younger generations. These Pulikuthi hero stones in Kongu region are  worshiped  by  a section of Vettuva Gounders.  

PULIKUTHI PATTAN KAL ( புலிகுத்திபட்டான் கல் ) – PERUNDALAIYUR.

This  Pulikuthi Pattan  Hero & Sati stone is in a village Perundalaiyur on the banks of river Bhavani close to western ghats. This has the latter period  Tamil inscriptions.  The hero’s wife, who undertook sati after the hero’s death is also shown.  The Hero is killing the tiger with sword and knife on both hands.  The  sword piercing  through the tiger and came out of the body. The hero and his wife are shown with dress below the hip with frills. The Hero’s wife is shown with raised hands  and holding lemon ( ?) on her right hand. ( the lemon signifies the threatening the evil sprit). As per the inscription the Hero Thondaiman Thimmaiyan Pandi  killed the tiger in the year Thanthubi, Panguni month. Based on the  inscription the experts of the opinion, that this “Pulikuthi Pattan Kal “ may belongs to 19^th Century.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

KILVALAI, SETTAVARAI, ALAMBADI AND UDYARNATHAM - ROCK ARTS IN THE PRE-HISTORIC SHELTERS BETWEEN VILLUPURAM TO THIRUKOVILUR.

...a Continuation post to  Panamalai Talagirisvara temple .

23^rd July 2017.

The stretch between Villupuram to Thirukovilur on the banks of river Then Pennai has the  small small hills in which boulders are scattered in zig-zag fashion. This formed a  natural shelters for pre-historic people. We know that the human’s civilization started on the banks of rivers only, Pre-historic burial sites, cairn circles, the stone tools,  The remains of Iron slags,  are found between this stretch.

ஆதி கற்கால மனிதர்கள் தென் பென்னை ஆற்றின் கடரைகளில் இயற்கையாக அமைந்த பாறை இடுக்குகளில் வாழ்ந்து வந்தனர். வடகரையில் கீழ்வாலை, ஆலம்பாடி, செத்தவரை உடயார்நத்தம் ஆகிய பகுதிகளில் அவர்கள் வாழ்ந்தற்கான ஆதாரங்கள் தான் அக்குகைகளில் அவர்கள் கண்டவற்றை, வாழ்வியல் முறைகளை ஓவியங்களாக பதிவு செய்து இருந்தது தான் நாம் தற்போது காண்பது. அதில் குதிரை, மாடுகள், மான்கள், புலி, மீன் போன்ற மிருகங்களும் அவர்களின் சடங்குகள், அவர்கள் நெருப்பில் வாட்டி மாமிச உணவுகளை சாப்பிட்டு உயிர் வாழ்ந்தனர் என்பது அவர்கள் வரைந்த ஓவியங்கள் மூலம் அறியலாம். அவர்கள் தலைக்கு அணிந்து இருந்த கொம்புகள், அவர்கள் கை நகல்கள், படகு போன்ற சாதனங்களும் ஓவியத்தில் காணக் கிடைக்கின்றது. கை நகல்கள் அவர்கள் கூட்டமாக வாழ்ந்தனர் என்பதையும் காட்டுகின்றது.. இன்னும் ஒரு படி மேலாக மிருகங்களின் உடற்கூறுகளை, குடல் இரைபை, விலா எலும்பு போன்றவற்றை நாம் தற்போது காணும் எக்ஸ் ரே கருவி கொண்டு காண்பது போல இருக்கின்றது.

மேலும் உடையார்நத்தம் பகுதியை மையமாக வைத்து வாழ்ந்தனர் என்பதற்கான சான்று உடையார் நத்தத்தில் நமக்கு கிடைக்கும் தாய் தெய்வ வழிபாட்டின் சின்னமும், கல் பதுகைகளும் ஆகும். இங்கு கற்கால மனிதர்கள் உபயோகித்த ஆயுதங்கள் கிடைத்ததாக அறிஞர்கள் கூறுகின்றனர். பிற்காலத்தில் மக்கள் ரோமர்களுடன் வாணிபம் செய்தனர் என்பதற்கான சான்று தென் பென்னை ஆற்றங்கரைகளில் கிடைத்த நாணயங்கள். இரும்பு காலத்தின் கழிவுகளும் இங்கு சிதறிக்கிடக்கின்றது

KILVALAI – ROCK ARTS.

This arts are drawn on two rock shelters called Rettaparai in Kilvalai about 10 to 17 feet high. The colour of the paintings are in saffron red  in colour. These arts are about the men, women mainly with open hands for some ritualistic significance especially the horned headgear of the men and their faces resembles birds beak, which bear very close similarity to some of the Egyptian painting of the second millennium BCE. There are bow and arrow. The occurrence and  depiction of men rowing a boat  indicates a link between the Indus valley and the southern region.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE 

SETTAVARAI  - ROCK ARTS.

These arts are drawn on rocks about 100 meters high hill  in the village Settavarai. ( Settavarai means varai – hill, setha – died so it is a dead hill ) The trekking was bit difficult with un-even boulders provided as path and in two places ladders are also provided. Safety grill was provided for the safety of the visitors from falling. Local children guided us from the base.  

The drawing are in both ochre red and white colour. The arts are about the animals, human beings and fish too....The Buffalo is drawn in red ochre and a deer out line in red ochre and inner is completed with white color.  Palm impressions are also there, in one impression the pointing finger was not there. It was told that many number of palms means many number of peoples in that group. In the animal paintings the internal organs are drawn, looks like X ray image.  There is a fig of flesh and fish are fried on fire. So come to a conclusion that during that period the people are aware of eating the fried flesh and fish. 

From the style  and execution of this painting we can estimate the age of the painting  must belongs to 1500 BCE.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

ALAMBADI – ROCK ARTS

This is painted between the two rocks.  Pictures of Cow, calf, deer and bear are painted in white ochre on the rock. The inner organs of the cow has been depicted as if they have been Xrayed. The paintings are incomplete.

Ref: http://www.tnarch.gov.in/cons/paint.htm

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

UDAYARNATHAM – THAI THEIVAM 

This site is about 500 to 600 meters off from a quarry under TAMIN.  This is a Single stone slab cut to look like woman without head. The  stone belongs to stone age and erected on burial site. The place is called by the locals as visiriparai and on the way to Aathiliamman temple. This stone is also called as Thai theivam ( Mother god )

For the  discussion on the facebook click here

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---