Our next destination was to Melapunjai Vediyappan Temple, where a hero stone is worshiped Vediappan, a part of Chengam Nadukarkal. The big bats hanging from Tamarind and Peepal
trees welcomed us when we landed in the Village. The Vediyappan temple was in side
a eri, of course with little water. Terracotta / “suduman” horses are in front of the temple
along with stone elephants offered to Vediappan by the devotees. The temple is very
small with sanctum and artha mandapam. The Hero stone is worshiped as
Vediappan in the sanctum. In front mandapa there are two wooden statues and the villagers
called as Small Vediappan and Big Vediappan. On the back of sanctum saptha
mathas ( Village stones as idols ). There are two Etti trees inside the temple
with fruits. In addition to this there is also a hero stone under a tree. The
details are....
The hero is in standing posture with the head
turned towards left side. The hero holds a sword in the right hand and a shield
in the left hand. A dress from the hip to the knees is shown. Simizh, kendy and
lamp are shown on the left side of the hero. Sine the hero holds a shield, the
hero was a soldier.
The hero stone belongs to 6th Century Pallava King Mandhaparman's 11th year rule. As per the
inscription the hero was a Soldier by name OduKanaayar of Siriganga King and
he was killed in the war between two small kings Kongani king and Siriganga King of that area. The inscription reads as...
- (மா)ந்தபருமற்குப் பதி
- னொன்றாவது கொங்க
- ணி அரைசரு படை ஓடுசிரி
- கங்ரைசரு சங்கமலத்
- தெறிந்த ஞான்று சிரிகங்கரைசரு
- சேவகர் ஓடுகனாய
- ர் எறிந்து பட்ட கல்.
Hero stone worshiped as Vediyappan
Periya Vediappan
Chinna Vediappan
Saptamatrikas
Horse with stone elephants
Etti Tree with fruits at the temple
Bats hanging from tree
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
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