Friday 4 January 2019

Hero Stones / Sati Stones / Veerakallu - Ondikai Maasti and Eradukai maasti Kal, near Thalavadi, Erode District, Tamil Nadu.

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09th December 2018.
Thalavadi in  Erode district of Kongu Nadu  has the maximum number of Hero Stones, Sati Stones, Pulikuthi kal compared to any other districts of Tamil Nadu. Since this place is  very near to Karnataka border, most of the hero stone inscriptions  are in Kannada. The culture of erecting a hero stone was followed  almost in all the villages of Thalavadi. During our recent visit to Thalavadi, we  had seen an Ondikai maasthi and an eradu kai maasthi Sati Stones. In this post the details of ondikai maasthi kal kept in Chikhalli School and eradukaimassthi kal erected at Iggalore are given.  The Kannada literature’s mentions that this happening is called as “Sahamara” which means “leaving accompanied”.  As per the experts, the raised hand is the symbolic representation of Sati Stone.
  
ERADUKAI MAASTI SATI STONE – IGGALORE.
This sati stone came to light after a long wait, by the effort of the PT Teacher Mr John and his students.  The sati stone  is of three stages. In the first stage from the bottom the hero is fighting with his opponent holding a curved sword in the right hand and a shield in left hand. The opponent warrior is shown smaller than the hero. An arrow is shown piercing through the thigh of the hero. The hero wears a half dress. The hero’s wife is shown on the right side of the Hero. The opponent is shown holding a shield and a spear.

In the second stage, hero’s two wives are shown on both side of the hero, with raised hands. The two devakanniyars holding samara leads them to the heaven. In the third tier, the hero with his wives are sitting in padmasana posture. The hands are in praying  position.

On the left side ( on the right side of the hero)  of this Eradukai maasti Sati Stone an ornamental pillar like arrangement with two hands holding the lemon are shown. A flower is shown at the base of the pillar. A Kumba / Kalasa is also shown on the top of the pillar. The pillar occupies two tiers. Both hands are holding  lemon.

Regular feature of the hero and his wives worshiping Shiva Linga with rishabam is not shown in this Sati Stone.  As per the experts, the hero stone believed to be erected during 16th Century Vijayanagara period.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE






(Pic : Mr John )

ONDIKAIMAASTI SATI KAL  - CHIKHALLI
This ondi kaimaasti kal is a part of the School’s collection. In that ondikaimaasti Sati Stone, a Hand holding a lemon is shown along with the hero and his wife, who took the sati after her husband’s death. It is believed that lemon will chase away the evil spirits.

LOCATION:  CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

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