Hero Stones, Hero Sthambas, Memorial Stones, Sati Stones in Kadathur area near Udumalpet.

10^th September 2017.

A hero stone is erected for a brave man who fought with enemies or to save his cattle against Tigers, Lions, pigs, etc, and died in the process of the fight.  This 17th-century Hero Sthambam / stone was erected in a village called Kottamangalam. This Sthambam is 8 feet high, 2 feet wide, and 1.5 feet thick. There are nine stages with hundreds of reliefs of men and women on all 4 sides of the Ssthambam exquisite carving. 

The top is made like a temple vimana with Natarajar relief in a dancing posture.  From top to bottom, the reliefs are  Viyakrapadar worshiping Lord Shiva, Gajalakshmi, Kannan with the flute, A cow milking on  Shiva Linga, Heroes carried in a palanquin, Soldiers fighting against the enemies sitting on Horses, and elephants, and Women (Sati), etc.,  are carved nicely. From the reliefs, we may conclude that this hero, Sthambam, was erected for the heroes who died in a war and the ladies who undertook sati after their husband’s death.

சீறிமுக வருடம் ஆடி மாதம் 8தேதி ஏகாதெசி

பெற்ற திங்கள் கிளமை நாள் பாலவரில் காம

நாயக்கர் மகன் வல்லைக் கொண்டம நாயக்கர்

உண்டாக்கின வீர கம்பம்

From the inscription, the hero Sthambam/Kambam was erected during the year 1693 by Vallaikondama Nayakar. (During this period, Kammavaru & Kollavaru Nayakars ruled this area under Madurai Thirumalai Nayakar.)

 

This Hero Sthambam is under worship by the Balavaru community, a section of Raja Kambala Nayakars. Regular poojas are conducted on Monday and Friday. An annual festival is conducted during the Masi month, Shivaratri day after VallaKonda Amman Thiru Kalyana urchavam.

In addition to this, there are two panels with the reliefs of Men and women in a worshipping posture. They might be Palaya Pattu Nayakas with their wives who ruled in this area.   

Nadukal on the left side of Hero Sthambam

Nadukal on the right side of Hero Sthambam

A nadu kal at Kottamangalam 

Thanks, Sundaram Sir, and for further reading, the Kongukalvettuaayvu blog may be referred to.

HERO STHAMBAM ( WOOD) AT METRATHI, NEAR UDUMALPET.

This 17th-century wooden Hero Sthambam is open to the sky and erected in the midst of a field in a small village, Metrathi. This is very much similar to that one at Kottamangalam except for the material. The difference is, this Sthambam, or the Kambam, is made out of wood. It was said that this was also erected and worshipped by Palayakarar Nayakkars.

This Sthambam consists of 12 tiers with hundreds of reliefs on all four sides. In the top tier, Kannan and Shiva Linga, sun,  moon, etc, the Sthambam top is made like a temple vimana. The Thamba must be 10 feet high, 1.5 feet wide, and 10 inches thick. There must be two sthambas erected, and one might have been damaged due to age.

SATI STONE AT KADATHUR.

This hero stone was erected abutting the compound wall of Marutha Kaliamman Temple. The Lady who undertook sati is holding a large pot ( may contain toddy or arrack ). The top of the stone was chopped to mark the ritual followed. By the side of this Hero Stone, there is a panel with a man and a woman in a worshipful posture. This may be a memory stone of a donor for some social cause.

NADUKAL AT KURUVAN VALASU, KADATHUR, NEAR UDUMALPET.

This memory stone, or a Nadukal, is erected along with an Amman statue. On the back of the Nadukal, there are inscriptions, which are not legible. This consists of various symbols.

The upper portion consists of Mangala symbols like a lamp, Venkotrakudai (umbrella), Samaram, Damru, etc.  The lower portion consists of weapons used like a Knife, a Sword, and a dagger,  and some of the symbols are not known. It was believed that this belonged to a group of businesspeople, and the weapons were for the group also called Nattars, who saved the businesspeople from any danger.

It is claimed that this is Vanikar Kal, and the exact name and purpose of the installation are not known. If anybody who comes across such stones is requested to explain.

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---