Menhirs, Karkuvai at Nichampalayam, near Gobichettipalayam, Erode District, Tamil Nadu.

26^th July 2017.

These menhirs are erected as monuments for the deceased. This may be erected on the burial sites themselves or near the burial place. The height and size of the menhirs depend on the social status of the deceased. This practice has been followed since ancient times and was mentioned in the Tamil literature Purananooru and Akananuru. 

 Shorter one 

'பரலுடை மருங்கின் பதுக்கை சேர்த்தி 

இனி நட்டனரே கல்லும்'

....... புறநானூறு (264)., 

'சிலை ஏறட்ட கணைவீழ் வம்பலர் 

உயர்பதுக்கு இவர்ந்த அதர்கொடி அதிரல்

நெடுநிலைநடுகல்' என்றும்.

'பிடிமடித் தன்ன குறும்பொறை மருங்கின்

நட்ட போலும் நடாஅ நெடுங்கல்'

.......அகநானூறு (289, 269). 

This practice is also followed in many countries, like France, etc. One of the tallest menhirs available now is in France and is about  20 meters. In Tamil Nadu, along the Noyyal River, Menhirs are found at Kodumanal, Nichampalayam, and Kumarikal Palayam in the Kongu Region, Papanaikanpatti in Madurai, and Sirapalli near Attur on the way to Rasipuram. There are three menhirs available at Nichampalayam, of which one is shorter and the other two are about 20 to 30 feet high. But the Nichampalayam Menhirs are shorter than the Kumarikal Palayam and Kodumanal.  In addition to this, there are a few cairn circles too, which are in a disturbed condition.

LOCATION OF THE MENHIRS:    CLICK HERE

 First One 

Second one

 disturbed cairn circles 

 disturbed cairn circles 

The following photos were taken from an Amman Temple at Nichampalayam belongs to the Naikar community.  Though these stones are erected in remembrance of the deceased inside the temple premises, the deceased were laid to rest somewhere else. These may be an extension of menhirs

.

On the way back to Kolappalur, Getticheviyur found these stones on the roadside, whitewashed and Kungum applied. The purpose of these Stones is not known.

KARKUVAI (கற்குவை)

These are called Karkuvai, ie, stones are stacked in an orderly fashion on the burial site of a deceased. This is near the Village of Nichampalayam. It was said that it belongs to the Boyar Community (who dig wells), and Special poojas are conducted once a year.

 

Karkuvai 

Karkuvai 

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---