Hero Stone / Nadukal / Veerakallu / செங்கம் நடுகற்கள், Periakolapadi, Thiruvannamalai / Tiruvannamalai District, Tamil Nadu.

28^th October 2018.

This is my second Visit to the Chengam Nadukarakal (Hero Stones) organized by the Thiruvannamalai District Center for Historical Research (TCHR).  During our previous visit ( Avanam Conference ),  we could visit Hero Stones at 8 places. Since the places  planned for this Heritage visit were not covered during our previous visit, joined with TCHR. After visiting the places, it was felt that without the help of the local people, it would not be possible to see these hero stones. Some hero stones are in remote places, where we have to walk about a km in the fields and some extent of co-ordination is also required to see the hero stones worshiped as Vediappan inside the temples. Thanks to the TCHR team for the excellent arrangement both transport with good food and bringing Mr R Poongundran, for his expert commentaries  with Historical & literature facts on Hero stones. Thanks to the Researchers and enthusiastic participants.

PERIAKOLAPADI

This group comprises 3 hero stones and a Soolakal firmly erected on a platform facing west at Vediappan Temple, without a roof. Out of 5, two are in good condition and the rest are broken parts of hero stones.

LOCATION OF THE HERO STONES: CLICK HERE

HERO STONE-1.
The Hero is shown in a standing posture with his head turned to the left. Katar is shown on his right hand and the bow is shown on his left hand. A half-dress up to the knees with a knot on the hip is shown. The images of Kendy ( toddy pot), simizh, and the mirror are also shown along with Hero’s image.

The hero stone has the 8 line inscription in Tamil Vattezhuthu, above the image of Hero. As per the inscription the hero stone belongs to Pallava king Mahendravarman-I’s 11^th year rule ( 601CE ). As per the inscription the hero stone was erected for sevakan Sakkai Parayan’s younger Son Eran. The inscription in Tamil reads as...

1. கொவியைய மயேந்திரபருமற்கு
2. யாண்டு பதினொன்றாவது கீழ்வேணாட்
3. டுத் துடரி மேல் விலக்குமிறை
4. யார் வந்த ஞான்று பெரும்பா
5. ண்ணரையர் மருமக்கள் அம்கோ
6. ட்டையார் சேவகன் சாக்கை ப்
7. றையனார் இளமகன் ஏறன்
8. எறிந்து பட்டான்.

HERO STONE-2.

A portion of a hero stone is available. The Hero’s head turned towards his left. A bow is shown on his left hand and a katar is shown on his right hand. A simizh is shown on his right leg side. The Tamil vattezhuthu inscriptions are inscribed above the image of the hero. The left portion of the inscription was found damaged. As per the inscription this hero stone was erected during Pallava king Eswaravarman’s 2^nd ..? year rule.  The hero stone was erected for a hero called Koththi Nath....., who was killed in a war. The inscription reads as...

1. ...(யை)ய ஈச்சு
2. ...ற்கு உஆண்டி
3. ...டாவது கீழ்
4. ...(ணு)ட்கி நின்
5. ...(பெ)ரும் போத்த....
6. ...ள் மறுச்சேந்..
7. ...(ர்) கொத்தி நத்..
8. ...(ப)ள்ளி

THE OTHER BROKEN HERO STONES

Soolakkal in front of hero stones 

..............To be Continued... Hero Stones of Melpunjai

In addition to the above had seen a Temple in which a Hero Stone is being worshiped as Ayyanarappan. Ayyanar with Poorna Pushkala idols and Ayyappan sannidhi are in the temple. The details will be posted separately. 

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---