Hero Stones / Veerakallu at Thukkachi / Murugampalayam, Pazhamangalam and Injampalli of Kongu Region in Erode & Tiruppur Districts, Tamil Nadu.

31^st July 2018.

During our visit to the Kongu region, we saw three hero stones, which are unique and erected for different purposes. It is worth noting that, more Chozha period Hero stones are available outside Thanjavur region. In all three hero stones the heroes are facing straight, but in the case of Chengam Nadukarkal – Hero stones hero will be facing left or right. I extend my sincere thanks to Erode Sakthi Prakash for taking me to all these places.

A 11^th CENTURY, RAJENDRA CHOZHA PERIOD HERO STONE AT THUKKACHI ( MURUGAMPALAYAM )

This hero stone is at the center and made like a stone house. On the right side, it has the inscriptions. The hero is shown in the form of relief. The hero holds a sword in his right hand and a bow in his left hand. The hair is tied with a cloth that flutters in the air. A kattar is shown on his hip and the dress below the hip up to the knee is shown.  This hero stone was erected during Rajendra Chozha's ( 1012- 1044 CE )  period on the banks of river Noyyal, in the Kongu region. The inscription starts with Rajendra Chozha’s title.  As per the inscription. This hero stone was erected to a Vettuvan ( Vettuvar Community ) by the name Azhakan Kali. The reason for the death is not known. From the relief and the inscription,  we may presume that he must be a soldier with Rajendra Chozha’s army and not an ordinary soldier. Some have a different view that the hero might have been killed during the war against Cheras.     

கல்வெட்டு வாசகம்..

1) ஸ்வஸ்தி ஸ்ரீ பூர்வ தேசமும் கங்கையும் 

2) கடாரமும் கொண்ட ஸ்ரீ இராஜேந்திர 
3) சோழர்க்கு செல்லநின்ற யாண்டு 

4) .......... ஊராளி வேட்டுவன் அழகன் 

5) காளி அவன் இதில் பட்டான்

This hero stone was identified and documented by Pulavar Rasu, who worked with Thanjavur Tamil University.

LOCATION:Lat: 11deg 2’ 49.23” & Long 77deg 50’ 25.57

A 10^th CENTURY HERO STONE WITH INSCRIPTION IN THE FORM OF A SONG AT PAZHAMANGALAM

This 10^th century Hero stone was erected for Karaya kulam ( a branch of a Vettuvar Kulam ), Chokkan. The inscription is in the form a venpa style song. This is the only one Hero stone available with this type of inscription from the available Hero Stones. The Local people calls this as Vedan Kal or Vedan Swamy. The present  Pazhamangalam  was mentioned as Pukazhl mangalam. It was learnt that Big merchants had done business from this place,

கல்வெட்டு வாசகம்....
" வாய்த்தபுகழ் மங்கலத்து வந்தெதிர்ந்த மாற்றலரைச்

சாய்த்தமருள் வென்ற சயம்பெருக - சீர்த்தபுகழ்
நிக்வேணம் கற்பொறிக்கப் பட்டான் கறைய குலச்

சொக்கனேந்த வேவுலகல் தான்"

ARE 217 of 1977 (வெண்பா)

LOCATION: Lat 11 deg 9’ 45.01 and Long 77deg 49’ 15.90”

Inscription

Inscription

A 9^th CENTURY HERO STONE AT INJAMPALLI.

This place Injmpalli near Modakurichi is on the way to Kodumudi from Erode. In this hero stone group,  on the left the hero is standing with a bow in his left hand and his right hand is resting on his hip. On the right, the hero is killing the opponent with his knife and we could see the edge of the knife on the back of the opponent. Also, he holds the head hair of the opponent with his left hand  Dres is shown below the hip up to the knee for the hero and his opponent. The hero's dress knot is beautifully shown Hero wears pathra kundalam in his ears. It was told that both heroes are the same person. By the side of these hero stones, another hero stone is lying in a slanting position, These hero stones are under worship and people call this hero stone “Vedan Samy”.

It was said that this hero stone was erected for a person who might have been killed in the process of a Village quarrel or fight. As per the newspaper it was claimed that this hero stone belongs to the 9^th Century, but the experts believe that this must belong to the 15^th to 16^th Century.

LOCATION: Lat 11deg 12’ 16.60” and Long 77deg 49’ 12.34”

See the knot of the dress

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---