“Hero and Sati Stones” at Thippuru/ Tippur, and Kikkeri in Mandya District, Karnataka.

The visit to this Hero Stone at Sri Lakshminaraya Swamy Temple, Tippur /Thippuru, in Mandya District, Karnataka, was a part of “Kodagu Heritage Walk”, from 22^nd to 24^th May 2026, organised by “எண்திசை வரலாற்று மரபுநடைக்குழு”.

HERO STONE
PLACE             : Tippur
LOCATION       : Sri Lakshmi Narayana Swamy Temple
TITLE              : Hero Stone  
PERIOD           : 12th century
DETAILS          :

The Hero Stone measures 4 ½ feet high and 3 feet wide. The Hero Stone is in 4 stages. At the bottom, a battlefield is shown. The hero is fighting with enemies, standing on the dead soldiers.  In the 2^nd stage from the bottom, there are three people, who may be ladies, shown on the left side. On the right side, the hero is fighting with a person riding on a horse. In the third stage, from the bottom, the hero is taken to heaven by the angels. In the top stage, the hero is shown worshipping a Shiva Linga. His wife (?) is shown standing next to the hero.

நான்கு நிலையடுக்கு நடுகல்  

சுமார் 4 1/2 அடி உயரமும் 3 அடி அகலமும் கொண்ட பலகை கல்லில் நான்கு நிலையாக நடுகல் வடிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. கீழிரெண்டு அடுக்குகளில் நடுகல் வீரன் எதிரிகளுடன் போர் மோதும் காட்சி ஒன்றில் தரை படையினருடன் வாள் கேடயம், வில், அம்பு ஏந்தி போரிடுவதும் மற்றொன்றில் குதிரை வீரர்கள் ஈட்டியுடன் பாய்ந்து தாக்குவதை எதிர் கொள்வது போன்றும் சிற்பங்கள் வடிக்கப்பட்டுள்ள. பூசல் இரண்டு கட்டங்களாக நடந்திருக்க வேண்டும். போரில் மாண்ட வீரர்களின் மீது ஏறி நின்று யுத்தம் செய்வது போன்று காட்டப்பட்டு இருக்கின்றது. இதனை கர்நாடக நடுகல் வரலாற்றாய்வாளர்கள் royal fight என குறிப்பிடுகிறன்றனர். மேல் இரண்டு சிற்பங்களின் உள்ளடக்க அகலத்தைச் சுருக்கி கல்வெட்டுக்களை தமிழில் பொறித்துள்ளனர். போரில் இறந்த வீரனின் ஆன்மா இரு தேவகன்னியர் துணையுடன் விண்ணுலகம் செல்லும் காட்சியும், மேல் அடுக்கில், வீரன் அமர்ந்த நிலையில் கையிலாயத்தில் சிவலிங்கத்தை வழிபடும் காட்சியும் அழகாக செதுக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.

Bottom tier - Royal fight

2nd tier from the bottom

சிதைந்த நிலையிலுள்ள தமிழ் கல்வெட்டு

1. ஸ்வஸ்திஸ்ரீ குலோத்து

2. ங்க சோழ தேவர் திருவி

3. ரையாட்டு ராஜேந்

4. த்ர சோழத்  ந்த(ரி)தெ  

5. ..ங்கைகு(ரக்)வேளக்கா…

6. முச் ராஜேந்திர சோழ (செர்)…

7. மாராயன் ஊர்துறைநா…

8. ட்டு துறைதிப்பூரை

9. யாண்டு முப்பத்து

10. மூன்றாவது பொ

11. ய்சாளன்ரிமித்(ப)

12. து எரிந்த பொ

13. ழுது ராஜேந்திர

14.சோழ மாராயன்

15.மகன் (க)ழகங்(சோ)   

16. ணன் (நாடு)… (தன்னு)  

17. குடிமக்களும் தன்…..

18. விரானகன்….

19. காள... அ…..தும்

20. யோன்…...ரு(ம)

21. காட் டுரா 

22. ஜேந்திர

23. நூ…..   

24. மஹி….

25. ...

26. சே…. ரி….

27. ...

INSCRIPTION IN ENGLISH

1 svasti śrī Kōlōttu
2 ngaśōladēvar tiruvi
3 rājyattu Rējēn
4 draśōlat-te[ri]nda
5 [n]gai-vēļaikā[rak]ku.
6 much [chēr] Rājēndraśōla
7 mārāyan Urturai-nā
8 ttu Tuxaittippūrai
9 yāndu muppattu
10 mūnrāvadu po
11 ysaļan [pa]rimit
12 tu exinda po
13 ludu Rajendra
14 śōlamārāyan
15 magan [Chō][la*]gań[ga]
16 nan [tannu]. [nattu]
17 [kkudimakkaļum] tan..
18 [vīrāna]....kan
19 kāla. dum.a.
20 yon[ma] ru.
21 [kāttu] Rā
22 jēndra.
23 nù.....
24 mahi...
25
26 chẽ.. ri.
27

Ref

Epigraphia Indica

 

THE DETAILS OF INSCRIPTION

The inscription belongs to Kulothunga Chozha’s 33^rd year of reign. As per the inscriptions, when the Hoysalas fought against Thippur, Rajendra Chozha Marayan’s son Chozha Ganganan, who belonged to the Valangai Velakara army regiment, might have been killed. The nadukal might have been erected in memory of him.

From this, it may be noted that 15 years before the Thalakad war, the Hoysalas started the war against the Chozhas. As per historians, the Hoysala King Vishnuvardhan’s first war against the Chozhas.

கல்வெட்டு செய்தி

முதலாம் குலோத்துங்க சோழனின் 33 வது ஆட்சியாண்டில் ஊர்த்துறை நாட்டிலிருக்கும் துறை திப்பூரை போசாளர் (ஹொய்சாளர்) தாக்க முற்படுகையில் இராஜேந்திரசோழ தெரிந்த – வலங்கை – வேளைக்காரர் படைப் பிரிவை சேர்ந்த இராஜேந்திர சோழ மாராயனின் மகன் சோழ கங்கணன் அதனை எதிர் கொண்ட பூசலில் இறந்துபட்டிருக்கலாம். அவனது நினைவாக இந்த நடுகல் எழுப்ப்பட்டு இருக்கலாம்.

இந்த நடுகல்லின் காலம் பொயு 1102 – 03 ஆண்டு. இதன் பிறகு தலைக்காடு பொ.யு. 1117 ஆண்டு ஏறக்குறைய 15 ஆண்டுகளுக்கு முன்பாகவே கங்க பாடியை மீட்கும் நடவடிக்கையில் முனைப்புடன் ஹொய்சாளர்கள் செயலாற்றினர் என்பது இந்நடுகல் சான்றினின்று அறியவருகின்றோம். மேலும் விஷ்ணுவர்த்தனின் தந்தை எரெயங்கதேவன் மற்றும் தமையன் முதலாம் வீரபல்லாளனின் ஆட்சி காலத்திலும் கங்கபாடியின் தண்டநாயகனாக விஷ்ணுவர்த்தனன் நியமிக்கப்பட்டார் என்பதும் இவர்களின் குறுகிய ஆட்சி காலத்திற்கு பின் பொயு 1108 ஆண்டே விஷ்ணுவர்தனன் அரியணையேறியதும் இந்த நடுகல் போர் நடவடிக்கை இவனது கன்னி முயற்சி என்பது அறியற்பாலது. 

தமிழில்: திரு ஜான் பீட்டர், (மு)தொல்லியல்துறை. 

LOCATION OF THE HERO STONE: CLICK HERE

Inscriptions

SATI STONE AT KIKKERI
PLACE             : Kikkeri
LOCATION       : Sri Brahmeswara Temple
TITLE              : Sati Stone / Ondi Kai masti kallu
PERIOD           : 16^th – 17th century
DETAILS          :

The sati stone is kept inside the Sri Brahmeswara temple. In this, the husband and wife are shown in a standing posture. Since the images are completely sculpted. The wife took sati after her husband’s death. So, a hand is shown on the right side of the sati stone. Hence, this Sati stone is called Ondi Kai Masti Kallu. 

LOCATION OF THE HERO STONE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Sri Lakshmi Narayanaswamy Temple, ಶ್ರೀ ಲಕ್ಷ್ಮಿ ನಾರಾಯಣಸ್ವಾಮಿ ಟೆಂಪಲ್, ತಿಪ್ಪೂರು, Thippuru, Tippur, Mandya District, Karnataka.

The visit to this Sri Lakshmi Narayanaswamy Temple at Tippur /Thippuru in Mandya District, Karnataka, was a part of “Kodagu Heritage Walk” from 22^nd to 24^th May 2026, organised by “எண்திசை வரலாற்று மரபுநடைக்குழு”.

Moolavar  : Sri Lakshmi Narayanaswamy

Consort    : Sri Lakshmi

Some of the Salient features of this temple are…

The temple faces east with a 3-tier Rajagopuram. A stucco image of Ramanujar is on the first level of the Rajagopuram. Balipeedam, dwajasthambam, and Gurudan are after the Rajagopuram. Stucco images of Krishna, Maha Vishnu as Anandasayee, and Thayar are on the top of the mukha mandapam. Dwarapalas are on either side of the sanctum sanctorum. Moolavar Lakshmi Narayana is in a sitting posture, and Maha Lakshmi is on his lap.

Thayar is in a separate temple on the north side of the main temple. Thayar is in a sitting posture with Abhaya Varada hastam.

In the praharam, Sri Pattaladamma, Sri Eranneshwara, and Sri Anjaneya.

A Hero Stone is also installed in the praharam. The details of the Hero Stone will be written separately.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam, and an open mukha mandapam. The temple was built with stone from adhistanam to prastaram. The sanctum sanctorum is on an adhistanam. No koshtas or pilasters are shown on the bhitti. The prastaram consists of valapi and kapotam with nasi kudus. A two-tala brick nagara vimanam is on the bhumi desam. Stucco images of Maha Vishnu and Brahma are on the greeva koshtams.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

It is said that the temple was constructed during the Chola period. Later, the temple received contributions from Mysore Wodeyars and Vijayanagar Nayaka chieftains, particularly Thippanayaka, who governed the village.

LEGENDS

It is believed that there were about 101 temples in this temple, and there was an underground passage on the back side of the Anjaneyar temple.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

The temple is under renovation, and kumbhabhishekam is yet to be performed.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

Since the temple is under renovation, regular poojas are not conducted.   

CONTACT DETAILS

HOW TO REACH

The temple at Tippur is about 10.7 km from Dornahalli Railway Station, 30.6 km from Krishnarajasagara Dam, and 41 km from Mysore.

The nearest Railway Station is Dornahalli.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Thayar temple

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Sri Lakshmi Narayana Perumal Kovil/ ஸ்ரீ லக்ஷ்மி நாராயண பெருமாள் கோயில், Senji Panambakkam, Tiruvallur District, Tamil Nadu.

Visited this temple during the Cooum cultural mapping of the temples on the banks of the river Cooum. This Perumal temple is on the next street of the village of Senji, Sri Janame Jaya Eswarar Shiva Temple. This post is separated from the combined post along with Sri Janamejaya Eswarar Shiva Temple and Selliamman temples, and this part alone is separated and written as a separate post. Please click this link to see the details of the combined post.

Alwars in ardha mandapam 

Moolavar    : Sri Lakshmi Naryanar

Thayar       : Sri Maha Lakshmi

Some of the salient features of this temple are....

The temple faces east. Garudalwar is at the front of the temple. Alwars are in the artha mandapam. In the sanctum sanctorum, Thayar is on the lap of Perumal. The person in charge said the moolavar's name is Karivarada Perumal. Since Thayar is on the lap of Perumal, this may be Lakshmi Narayanar. In koshtam, Paramapatha Nathar looks cute without much damage, sculptured in green stone, like in the Shiva Temple.

 Paramapada Nathar - in green stone 

 Thayar on the lap of Perumal - Lakshmi Narayanan

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, ardha mandapam and an open mukha mandapam. The temple was built with stone from adhistanam to prastaram. The sanctum sanctorum is on a pada bandha adhistanam with jagathy, three patta kumudam and pattikai. The bhitti starts with vedikai. The pilasters are of Brahma kantha pilasters with kalasam, kudam, mandi, palakai and pothyal. The vimanam over the prastaram was constructed with bricks. The vimanam consists of one tala, greeam and vesara sigaram. Stucco images of Maha Vishnu's various avatars are on the tala and greeva koshtams.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The experts believe that it may have been constructed during the Chozha period and later received contributions from Vijayanagaras. 

   

We are not sure whether this temple is a reconstructed one or whether somebody would have done some exercise to rebuild it, since numbers in Tamil are engraved on each stone. 

During my second visit to this temple in 2025, it was said that the temple is under reconstruction, under the initiative of Mr Sai Kumar. The Garudan Sannidhi was lifted with a hydraulic jack. The work was in progress.

Inscriptions are not legible.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from orukala poojas, no special poojas are conducted.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

Since orukala pooja is conducted, the opening and closing times are unpredictable. 

HOW TO REACH 
This temple is about 2.6 km from Senji Panambakkam Railway Station (Share and Autos are available),  4.4 km from Manavur Railway Station, 6.2 km from Perambakkam (Autos are available and City buses are available from Poonamallee), 25 km from Arakkonam, 17 km from Tiruvallur Railway Station, 40 km from Poonamallee and 61 km from Chennai Central.
The nearest Railway Station is Senji Panambakkam.  

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

 Temple view

 Temple view Palipedam and Garudathoon

  Loose Sculptures 

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Ancient Hoysala Shri Panchalingeshwara Swamy Temple ಪುರಾತನ ಹೊಯ್ಸಳ ಶ್ರೀ ಪಂಚಲಿಂಗೇಶ್ವರ ಸ್ವಾಮಿ ದೇವಸ್ಥಾನ, Govindanahalli, Mandya District, Karnataka.

The visit to this Shri Panchalingeswara Swamy Temple at Govindanahalli, in Mandya District, Karnataka, was a part of “Kodagu Heritage Walk” from 22^nd to 24^th May 2026, organised by “எண்திசை வரலாற்று மரபுநடைக்குழு”.

Saptamatrikas

Moolavar: Sri Panchalingeshwara Swamy

Some of the Salient features of this temple are…

The temple faces east, with 5 shrines with Shiva Lingas, with two entrances on the east side. Rishabams are in the entrance mandapam. Dwarapalakas are on either side of the sanctum sanctorum, and Gajalakshmi, Shiva, Parvati with or without Rishabam, Karthikeya, and Ganesha are on the top of the entrance. Rishabams are in the Navaranga mandapam in front of the second and third sanctum sanctorums. The names of the five Shiva Lingas are Sri Sadyojateshwara, Vamadeveshwara, Sri Aghoreshwara (a tall Shiva Lingam is on a square avudaiyar), Sri Tatpuruseshwara, and Sri Ishanyeshwara.

Saptamatrikas with Ganesha and Veerabhadra, Adhisesha, Shiva with Parvati (Parvati sitting on the lap of Shiva), Murugan as Arumugar sitting on a peacock, Mahishamardini, Chamundeshwari, Nava Durga, Saraswati, are in the Navaranga mandapam

ARCHITECTURE

The Panchalingesvara temple is a good specimen of the Hoysala style. The temple has five garbhagrihas in a north-south orientation and faces east. It is the extant specimen of a Hoysala temple having a quintuple plan. They have a separate sukanasi and navarangas in the same orientation. All are connected to a long, 68-pillared hall on the eastern side of the structure. The pillars are lathe-turned vrutha pillars. There are two entrance doorways opposite the second and third garbhagriha, respectively, with a porch for each. The Rishabam are in front of the sanctum sanctorum.

The wall is modestly decorated with pilaster turrets and sculptural representations of the Bhagavata and epics. In the region of the navaranga, the bhitti has a miniature shrine built into the southern wall. The pyramidal structure is in 3 tiers with a ribbed conical two-tiered stupi culminating in a finial. The vimana does not have any sculptures.

The antarala has a prominently projected sukanasa. Except for the karnakutas, the hara of each tala, including prasthara, stands unfinished.

The navaranga has seventeen niches, some of them having beautiful sculptures of the Hoysala art. The famous Hoysala sculptor Mallitamma is said to have carved two dvarapala figures.

Veerabhadra

Mahishamardini

Mahishamardini

Mahishamardini

Saptamatrikas

The outer wall has the sculptures of Maha Vishnu’s 10 avatars & Garuda, which include Buddha (The names are inscribed below each sculpture in Kannada), Vishnuvardhana’s Queen Shanthala Devi, Dharbana Sundari, Maha Vishnu sitting on Adhiseshan, Brahma, Indra on Iravatham, Rama and Sita, Thirivikrama, Vamana Avatar, Narasimha, Narasimha killing Hiranyakashipu, etc.  

 Maha Vishnu's avatars

Buddha in the middle

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

Govindanahalli formed part of Gangavadi under the Gangas of Talakad. Later, it came under the Chola rule. The Hoysalas annexed the Chola territory and ruled most parts of southern Karnataka between the twelfth and thirteenth centuries CE. On stylistic grounds, the temple could be dated around 1237-1238 CE.

Inscriptions –

1. On a stone in Panchalingeshvara Temple – Epigraphia Carnatica Volume - VI, no 39 – refers to the reign of the Hoysala king Someshwara – dated Saka 1159, corresponding to 1237 CE – the inscription starts with obeisance to Ganadhipati, Shambhu, Varaha and describes the Chandra vamsha starting from Brahma. Brahma begot Atri, and Atri begot Chandra (Moon). In this lineage, Chandra was born Yadu, mentioned in the epics. In this Yadava lineage was born Sala. The story of Sala slaying a tiger with a danda is described in detail. Once, Sala went to see goddess Vasanti, whose abode was in the forest near Shashapura and who was the guardian deity of the kings of his lineage. In this forest, he met a sage who was deeply immersed in his tapa. There came a tiger, and the sage directed Sala to kill the tiger in his own language as ‘hoy Sala’. Thus, kings in his lineage came to be known as Hoysala. From Sala was born Vinayaditya, and from him was born Ereyanga. Ereyanga begot Vishnu, the latter begot Narasimha (I). Narasimha’s son was Ballala. Ballala’s queen was Padmala. From this queen, Ballala begot Narasimha (II) and a daughter named Somala. Narasimha’s son was Soyideva (Someshwara), who was ruling at Dvaravati. Then starts the family of Bogayya, father of Ketana, grandfather of Bhoganna and Mallanna. Bhoganna and Mallanna served as the danda-nayaka (ministers) under the Hoysala king Someshwara. This king Someshwara, while residing at Pandya-mandala, which he subdued with his extensive might and prowess, made a grant of the great village Tenginaghatta to his army chiefs Bhoganna and Mallanna. Village Tenginaghatta, with its eleven hamlets, was turned into an agrahara. Bhoganna and Mallanna forwarded this grant of Tenginaghatta agrahara to several Brahmans of different gotras in the presence of Sri Ramanatha at Setu. The same grant is also notified in the Kannada language.

2. On the pedestals of the dvarpalas of the Panchalingeshvara Temple – Epigraphia Carnatica Volume - VI, no 40 – on the right dvarapala is inscribed ‘ruvari Malitama’ and on the left dvarapala is inscribed ‘ruvari Malitamma’.

3. Below the images on the outer wall of the Panchalingeshvara Temple – Epigraphia Carnatica Volume - VI, no 41 – the inscribed labels are Keshava, Narayana, Madhava, Govinda, Vishnu, Madhusudana, Trivikrama, Vamana, Sridhara, Rishikeshi, Padmanabha, and Damodara

Malitamma was a well-known Hoysala artist whose work is also found at various other Hoysala sites. His name is found at six places: Amruteshwara temple at Amruthapura, Lakshmi-Narasimha temple at Haranahalli, Lakshmi-Narasimha temple at Nuggehalli, Keshava temple at Somanathapura, Lakshmi-Narasimha temple at Javagal, and this Panchalingeshwara temple. His first work was at the Amruteshwara temple at Amruthapura, which was constructed in about 1196 CE. His last work was at the Keshava temple at Somanathapura, which was constructed in 1269 CE. His career spanned about 73 long years. Govindanahalli would have been his second assignment after the Amruteshwara temple.

Ref:

1. Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) Website and display board at the temple.

2. Epigraphia Carnatica Volume - VI, no 39, 40, and 41.

Mallithamma - the sculptor's name inscription at the base of Dwarapalaka

LEGENDS

Since Govindaraja ruled this place, hence called Govindanahalli.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from oru kala poojas, special poojas are conducted during the Shravana month and Maha Shivaratri. 

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open from 09.00 hrs to 18.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

https://web.archive.org/web/20150502190310/http://asibengalurucircle.org/mandya-3.html

Since the temple is under the control of the Archaeological Department, a local caretaker is available at the temple.

HOW TO REACH

The temple at Govindanahalli is 5.5 km from Kikkeri, 18 km from Shravanabelagola, 21 km from Hosaholalu, Sri Lakshmi Narayana Swamy temple, 21 km from Chennarayapattana, 55 km from Srirangapatna, and 75 km from Mysore.

The nearest Railway Station is Shravanabelagola.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---