03rd July,
2016.
THE TEN ENTRANCES OF THE SANKAGIRI FORT
Sankagiri
was earlier known as Kunrathur as per the inscriptions available. Since the
hill is in the form of conch, the hill is called as Sankagiri adding the
Sanskrit name of ‘giri’ means hill. Sankagiri was once a capital for the Kongu
Region comprises of the present
districts of Salem, Erode, Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Namakkal, Karur and Dindigul.
Sankagiri Fort was built in 14th century by
the Madurai Nayaks and latter expanded. ( As per the historian Mr
Karunaharan the fort was constructed from Chozhas and expanded by
Hoysalas, Pandyas, Vijayanagara kings, Madurai Nayaks, Mysore Udayars,
Mysore Thalavais and Britishers.) Even though the 6,7 & 8th walls
are constructed by Mysore Kings, it was believed that the hill top temples,
mandapas and ponds existed more than 800 to 900 years before. It has 11 fort
walls built around a hill and the last phase these walls were built by
the British. The fort served as a British tax storage facility for Kongu
Nadu.
It was an important military base for Tippu
Sultan and later for the British army. This is because only one side of
the hill is climbable, as all the others are too steep to climb. This has a
death well, granary, two oil godowns, one explosives godown, two Mosques,
2 Perumal ( Varadharaja Perumal and Top Hill Chenna Kesava Perumal )
temples, former British Army administrative buildings, and cemeteries formerly
used by armies that were stationed at the fort. The Varadaraja Temple is
alone renovated and used for worshiping. The rest of the buildings
are in dilapidated condition.
As per historians, punishments and death sentence are carried
out in a cruel manner which are beyond imagination. Dheeran Chinnamalai, who
was against the tax collection and looted the tax carrying vehicles and
distributed to the poor. He was hanged on the top of the hill on 31st July
1805. In some cases the prisoners were rolled from top of the hill with hands
and legs tied. For some the prisoners skin was removed and thrown to
vulture and eagles.
LOCATION OF THE FORT :CLICK
HERE
Now
let us peep in to the fort through various gates. The gates are located almost
on the passage of rain water from the top and the steps leading to each gates.
1. FIRST FORT
ENTRANCE - PULIMUKHA VASAL or ULIMUKHA VASAL
This
is also called as ulimuka vassal. Entrance will not be visible when you see
from straight and shaped as inverted ‘ப’ and the
entrance on the right side corner. This is for avoiding the direct hitting of
the doors by enemies. A demon’s relief is above the entrance.
2. SECOND FORT ENTRANCE – KALKOTTAI
VASAL or KALLA VASAL
There is a small entrance
by the left side of main entrance like a wicket gate. A mandapam is after the
entrance. The mandapam pillars with reliefs of Hanuman, Rama and Seetha sitting
on the laps of Rama, Arjunan’s thabas to get pasupatha asthiram, Bairavar,
Shiva in the form of hunter, war between Shiva & Arjuna and a Prince who
constructed the mandapam. 
3. THIRD FORT ENTRANCE – KADIKARA VASAL
There is also mandapam
immediately after the entrance. The mandapam has the relief of Suryan,
Chandran,, Raghu, khethu, fish etc., Ganga and Yamuna with flower rings
on the entrance pillars. From this point sun will not be visible during evening
hours, and shows the time. This gives warning to the soldiers.
4. FOURTH FORT ENTRANCE – RANA MANDAPA
VASAL
The passage is little
narrow and at the entrance Sangu chakkaram ( Conch and Chakra ) with Gods
patham reliefs are there.( Both positions are reversed ). The devotees who
cannot climb to worship Sri Chennakesava Perumal, they will worship here and
return back. There are 21 + 12 ( Right side and left side) view
point built with brick, through which shooting will be done on the enemies
through pistols. Before 5th entrance
a platform was constructed to place guns.
5. FIFTH FORT ENTRANCE – PUDUKOTTAI
VASAL
A demon’s relief with horn
& mustache and a tortoise on the right side of the
entrance. In the mandapam pillars reliefs of Lion, Kamadhenu, Hanuman,
Narasimhar.
6. SIXTH FORT ENTRANCE – ROKKA THITTIVASAL
This entrance has a
mandapam. There is a Vinayagar relief on the mandapam. There is vertical rock
with a pond. The water was used for drinking purposes. This pond is called as
Surya pali.
7. SEVENTH FORT ENTRANCE – PAVAL
THITTIVASAL.
This has a small mandapam
to take rest.
8. EIGHTH FORT ENTRANCE – IDIVIZUNTHAN KUNDRU VASAL.
The original entrance mandapam was destroyed during 1880, and the
Britishers constructed a explosive storage godown with brick and
lime mortar.
9. NINTH FORT ENTRANCE – COMPANY GATE
This was built by the east
India English people during 1799. This was constructed to celebrate
the victory against Tippu sultan. The doors were removed now but the fixed
portion of the keel exists. The once constructed hoses for Kaja ravuthar was
destroyed.
10. TENTH FORT ENTRANCE – MYSORE or
UDAYAR VASAL.
The steps
leading to this gate was chiseled on the rock. Only 37 steps out of 60 remains
now, the rest were hidden by the boulders. The mandapam has the relief of
Bootha ganas, Suryan, Chandran and the story of Gajendra moksham. This
gate might have been constructed by the Mysore kings. 
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
To
be continued – PART – 3 TEMPLES
With Your Help We Understood The Sangakiri Fort Very Well
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