Menhirs / குத்துக்கற்கள் / The land of Menhirs, Kongu Mandalam, Erode District, Tamil Nadu.

31^st July 2018.

The practice of erecting these types of menhirs - குத்துக்கற்கள் - in remembrance of the dead was followed since Sangam period. This was mentioned in one of the Sangam literature as “நட்டாபோலும் நடாஅ நெடுங்கல்” (அகம் 269). The size of the menhirs (depending on the availability of Stone ) shows the social status and the reason for the person's death. The reason may be death in recovering the cattle or maybe in the war between two groups. Since no inscriptions were found ( may have been erected before the evolution of scripts), we do not know for what purpose it was erected. Usually, these menhirs are adjacent to Cairn circles, cist, and Dolmens. This is the continuation process after erecting Cairn circles and Dolmens. More than one Menhir in the same place will be erected for the group of people, which we had seen at Kodumanal, Panchalinga Puram, and Mukkudi Velampalayam. These menhirs are worshiped, and poojas are also performed daily in addition to the annual functions.

In this post, I will be posting the menhirs of the Kongu region. Many of the menhirs available are between the banks of river Noyyal and Amaravati, till they join with river Cauvery. This indicates that ancient human settlement was between the banks of river Noyyal and Amaravati in the Kongu region. As per Pulavar Se  Rasu, Former head of the Epigraphy and Archaeological department of Thanjavur Tamil University, Kongu Nadu has the maximum number of menhirs. 

MENHIR AT KUDUMIYAMPALAYAM (RR THOTTAM).

This single menhir stands at a height of 11 feet in the midst of a coconut farm belonging to R R Constructions of Erode. easily not visible from the outside. Width is about 4 feet and thickness is 3/4^th feet. Cracks are noticed at the center. A cist’s side stones are found in front of the menhir.

LOCATION: Lat 11deg 11’ 34.14” & Long 77deg 41’ 33.61”

MENHIRS AT RETTAPALIVALASU.

This Rettaipalivalasu is very near to Tindal. There are two menhirs of one stands to a height of 25 feet with a width of 8 feet and a thickness of 1 foot. The other one is very short about 4 feet ( might have broken ). The disturbed cairn circle stones are found near. The vegetation growth obstructs the view of the Menhirs. The area was made into real estate plots and it may disappear very soon.

LOCATION: Lat 11deg 18’ 28.61” and Long 77deg 41’ 31.16:

disturbed Cairn Circles

MENHIRS AT PANCHALINGAPURAM.

There are 4 menhirs of which 2 are broken and visible up to the base. These menhirs are in worship and people call as “Nattukal”- நாட்டுக்கல். During Adi month special poojas are conducted to these menhirs. This is on the way from Erode to Karur route and is difficult to notice from the main road due to the obstruction of coconut trees.   

LOCATION: Lat 11deg 15’ 25.53” and Long 77deg 48’ 0.37

MENHIRS AT MUKKUDI VELAMPALAYAM

This Mukkudi Velampalayam is a part of Pasur, This place is on the Erode to Karur bus route near Cholanka Palayam.  Two menhirs are standing to a height of about 20 to 25 feet. Had seen the broken pieces of stone slabs found near the menhirs, maybe some more menhirs existed in the same place, These menhirs are under worship. People used to these menhirs as “Vedan kal” வேடன்கல், the higher one is Male and the shorter one is female. During the celebration of an annual festival in the 1^st week of February at Mariamman Temple, pooja is being conducted first to these menhirs and Brinjal with கருவாடு/ dry fish is offered. This food will be prepared from a Nadar ( Moopanar ) community.

LOCATION: Lat 11deg 13' 55.9 and Long 77deg 51' 18.3"

 

MENHIRS & CAIRN CIRCLES AT JAGATHABI.

With great difficulty, we were able to visit this place. This place is called “Kurangu Pattarai” குரங்கு பட்டறை, by the locals. More than 50 cairn circles with Cist are there around these menhirs. Some Cairn circles have small menhirs also. This menhir is unique in nature. Stone slabs to a height of about 7-8 feet are erected like walls to form a square. Only four are standing now, the rest had fallen down. At the center of the Square, we could find a triangular stone, experts of the opinion that it must be a cist. Near to these menhirs,  we found another square-shaped structure, but here no menhirs were standing.

When we found it very difficult to locate the menhirs the Villagers came to our rescue and showed us the menhirs and Cairn circles. ( Krishnan 9943710593)

LOCATION: Lat 10deg 50' 58.60" and Long 78deg 11' 27.31" 

MENHIR AT ANJUR.

This single menhir is standing at the entrance of a private farm. This menhir measures a height of 8 feet with a width of 4 feet and 1 foot thickness.

LOCATION: Lat 11deg 4' 4.05" and long 77deg 48' 24.82" 

MENHIR BETWEEN THALIAPATTY & MANAVADI.

After Jagathabi, while we were traveling towards Thukkachi ( Rajendra Chozha’s period Hero Stone ) happened to see this menhir. Up to 2 feet only remains above the ground level. As per the experts, this is also a menhir.

LOCATION: Lat 10deg 52’ 5.88” and Long  78deg 6’ 43.53”

 ---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---