Thalavadi
in the Erode district of Kongu Nadu has the maximum number of Hero Stones, Sati
Stones, and Pulikuthi Hero Stones compared to any other districts of Tamil Nadu. Since this
place is very near to the 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 saw an Ondikai Masthi 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 mentions that this happening is called “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 the 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, the hero’s two wives are shown on both sides
of the hero, with raised hands. The two Devakanniyars holding samara leads them to heaven. In the third tier, the hero with his wives are sitting in padmasana
posture. The hands are in Anjali hastha.
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 is 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 a lemon.
A 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 is believed to have been erected during 16th Century Vijayanagara period.
(Pic : Mr John )
ONDIKAIMAASTI SATI KAL - CHIKHALLI
This ondi kaimaasti kal is a part of the School’s collection.
In Ondikai maasti 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 evil spirits.
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
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