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 a conch, the hill is called Sankagiri adding the
Sanskrit name ‘giri’ means hill. Sankagiri was once the capital of the Kongu
Region comprising the present districts of Salem, Erode, Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Namakkal, Karur, and Dindigul.
Sankagiri Fort was built in the 14th century by
the Madurai Nayaks and later 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
were constructed by Mysore Kings, it was believed that the hilltop temples,
mandapas, and ponds existed more than 800 to 900 years before. It has 11 fort
walls built around a hill and in 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 worship. The rest of the buildings
are in dilapidated condition.
As per historians, punishments and death sentences are carried
out in a cruel manner which is beyond imagination. Dheeran Chinnamalai, who
was against tax collection looted the tax-carrying vehicles and
distributed them to the poor. He was hanged on the top of the hill on 31st July
1805. In some cases, the prisoners were rolled from the top of the hill with hands
and legs tied. For some the prisoner's skin was removed and thrown to
vultures and eagles.
LOCATION OF THE FORT: CLICK
HERE
Now
let us peep into the fort through various gates. The gates are located almost
on the passage of rainwater from the top and the steps leading to each gate.
1. FIRST FORT
ENTRANCE - PULIMUKHA VASAL or ULIMUKHA VASAL
This
is also called a Ulimuka vassal. The entrance will not be visible when you see
from straight and is shaped as an inverted ‘ப’ and the
entrance on the right side corner. This is to avoid 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 the 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 dhabas to get Pasupatha Asthra, 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 a 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 a warning to the soldiers.
4. FOURTH FORT ENTRANCE – RANA MANDAPA
VASAL
The passage is a little
narrow and at the entrance Sangu chakkaram ( Conch and Chakra ) with God's Pada 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) viewpoints built with brick, through which shooting will be done on the enemies
through pistols. Before the 5th entrance, a platform was constructed to place guns.
5. FIFTH FORT ENTRANCE – PUDUKOTTAI
VASAL
A demon’s relief with a horn
& mustache and a tortoise on the right side of the
entrance. In the mandapam pillars reliefs of Lion, Kamadhenu, Hanuman, and Narasimhar.
6. SIXTH FORT ENTRANCE – ROKKA THITTIVASAL
This entrance has a
mandapam. There is a Vinayagar relief on the mandapam. There is a vertical rock
with a pond. The water was used for drinking purposes. This pond is called Surya Pali.
7. SEVENTH FORT ENTRANCE – PAVAL
THITTIVASAL.
This has a small mandapam
to take a rest.
8. EIGHTH FORT ENTRANCE – IDIVIZUNTHAN KUNDRU VASAL.
The original entrance mandapam was destroyed in 1880, and the
Britishers constructed an explosive storage godown with brick and
lime mortar.
9. NINTH FORT ENTRANCE – COMPANY GATE
This was built by the East
Indian English people in 1799. This was constructed to celebrate
the victory against the Tippu Sultan. The doors were removed now but the fixed
portion of the keel exists. The once-constructed hoses for Kaja Ravuthar were
destroyed.
10. TENTH FORT ENTRANCE – MYSORE or
UDAYAR VASAL.
The steps
leading to this gate were chiseled on the rock. Only 37 steps out of 60 remain
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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