07th December 2018.
As per Pulavar Dr. S. Raju, “Tamil Nadu was divided into five regions, of which Kongu Nadu was one. The Sangam Literature treats
Kongu Nadu as a separate country. Kongu Nadu was ruled at some time by the Cheras. Kongu Nadu
had its own King and army. The Rajakesari Peruvazhi, one of the ancient trade
routes to Chera Nadu, passes through Kongu Nadu. The Kongu Region was subdivided
into 24 Nadus, and Kuruppa Nadu was one of them, with Vijayamangalam as the
capital. Vijayamangalam was once an epicenter for Jainism in Tamil Nadu. A Kongu Tamil
Sangam was also there in Vijayamangalam.
In 942 CE, Parantaka Chozha I appointed one of his
relatives and a general, Veerachozha
Mahimalaya Irukkuvel, as the King of Kongu Nadu and gave him the title of Kongu
Chozha. The King Raja Raja, after conquering Ganga Nadu, gave autonomous status
to Kongu Nadu. From 1004 CE, the Kongu Chozhas
ruled Kongu Nadu for almost 300 years. The Kongu Chozhas adopted the name of
imperial Chozhas like Vikrama Chozha, Kulothunga Chozha, etc. Many temples were built during their period, and the Chozhas joined the Cheras and Pandyas in wars against each other.
The subject Three Navakanda Hero stones, along with
loose sculptures, are installed in an Amman temple (Vijayapuri Amman Temple) at Vijayamangalam. The temple was
believed to have been built during the Kongu Chozha period. The three Heroes might have sacrificed their
lives for the king or to achieve victory in the war. The Heroes are wearing ornaments and a half-dress from the hip. All three have a mustache, and two are wearing yagnopaveetha. Experts believe that these Navakanda Hero
stones may belong to the 11th to
16th century, Kongu Chozha / Vijayanagara period.
The hero is wearing a yagnopaveetha, and his hairstyle is like a crown, which is different from the other two Navakanda Hero stones.
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