Kongu Nadukarkal / Hero Stones of Kongu / Veerakallu / Pulikuthikal & Thai Nadukal Temple at Malayapalayam, Kariyagoundanur and Vadakkalur, Erode District, Tamil Nadu.

03^rd February 2019.

During our Kongu Temples Heritage Visit we came across Hero Stones, Pulikuthikal and Thai Nadukal. These are the part of Kongu Nadukarkal and the details with photographs are given in this post.

HERO STONE, AT MALAYAPALAYAM.

A hero stone  and a Soola kal are installed in side the premises of Malayapalayam Higher Secondary  School as a part of Heritage monuments collection. In the hero stone the Hero is shown in standing posture with head looking straight. The hero holds a bow in his left hand and a dagger in his right hand.  Dress with frills is shown below his waist. The hero might have died in the process of  recovering the cattle (தொறு பூசல் - ஆநிரை கவர்தல் அல்லது மீட்டல் ) or a fight between two groups.  From the hair style, this hero stone may belongs to 16^th to 17^th century.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

THAI NADUKAL (தாய் நடுகல் ) HERDS WOMAN MEMORIAL STONE AT MALAYAPALAYAM

Next to the Vinayagar temple at Malayapalayam, near Sevur in Erode district there was a small shrine and the main deity seemed to be of an interesting one. The bas-relief was carved on a flat stone.  A lady with a child on her hip is shown. Below cattle are shown. As per the experts this is a memorial stone erected for a lady, from the Idayar ( herdsmen ) community.  The Lady might have done some brave acts or might have killed by wild animals, while herding the cattle. This Thai Nadukal may belongs to 16^th to 17^th Century.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

HERO STONE AT KARIYAGOUNDANUR

When we are on the lookout for a Pandya period inscription stone or Soolakal ( mentioned as Kuthukal in the inscription book) at Kariyagoundanur, we came across this hero stone in front of a temporary shed erected for  Shiva near Kuliamman Temple. The hero is in standing posture facing straight. The hero is holding a bow in his left hand and right hand is touching his hip holding a dagger ( KuRuval ). The details are not clearly seen. The hero stone may belongs to 16^th Century.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

PULIKUTHI NADUKAL, VADAKKALUR.

The Local people guided us that there is a Pulikuthi Viran nadukal at Vadakkalur. This Pulikuthi Nadukal is installed inside Sri Pongaliamman Temple. The Hero is shown in standing posture killing a tiger with a spear holding in both hands. The hero wears dress with frills below his waist. Wears a ring in his ears and anklets on hand and legs. He is also wearing an ornament in his neck, which hangs up to the Chest. His hat seemed to be little different. The Tiger is also shown equal to the height of the hero. This hero stone belongs to 17^th or 18^th Century.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

PULIKUTHIKAL AT KANJIKOVIL.

On 4^th February, had been to Kanjikovil to visit the Shiva, Vishnu and Amman Kovil at Kanjikovil. This Pulikuthi Viran Nadukal is in Sri Sedevi Amman Temple. Both hero and the Tiger are shown in standing posture. The hero holds a knife and killing the tiger. The other details are known since the Pulikuthi Viran Nadukal was covered with cloth. This Pulikuthi Viran Nadukal belongs to 16^th to 17th Century. கல்வெட்டின் பாடம்

1. ன் மகன் ச
2. டைய மூப்பன் ப
3. ண்ணி வச்ச சி
4. லை
5. செம்பனு(ம) கண்
6. ணனுக் குடுத்த
7. காணியாச்சி
8. சிண்ணா மூப்ப

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sri Valeeswarar Temple / Kapaleeswarar Temple / ஸ்ரீ கபாலீஸ்வரர் கோயில், Sevur, Tiruppur District, Tamil Nadu.

3^rd February 2019.

We decided to close our  3^rd Feb 2019, day’s  Kongu Temples Heritage Visit with Sri Valeeswarar temple at Sevur. It was around 16.00 hrs when we reached Sevur and the temple was not opened. A nearby flour grinding shop owner helped us to get the Sivachariyar’s mobile number and called him. We sat in front of the temple, with a decision of visiting inside the temple and go back home. At last around 17.30 hrs the Sivachariyar came and opened the temple. During 13th Century Hoysala King Vira Someswaran period the place was called as Chembiyan Kizhanadi Nallur. 

Presiding deity   : Sri Valeeswarar, Sri Kapaleeswarar

Ambal               : Sri Aram Valartha Nayaki or Araperunselvi

The salient features of this temple are…

The temple is facing east with a 5 tier Rajagopuram. A Garuda thoon or Deepa sthambam is in front. A bas-relief of Vali worshiping Lord Shiva is at the base of the Deepa Sthambam. The Sanctum sanctorum consists of  Sri Kapaleeswarar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar and Ambal Aramvalartha Nayaki. In Shiva Sannidhi’s  koshtam Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar and Brahma.

In the outer prakaram, sannadhi for Thiruthala Vinayagar, Natarajar Mandapa, Naalvar, Bala Dhandayuthapani, Saneeswarar, Navagrahas, Kalabairavar, Suryan and Chandran.

ARCHITECTURE

All the these main sanctums are in parallel to each other with a common muka mandapam and facing east with balipeedam and Vahanas. 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The temple was reconstructed in the recent years and most of the inscriptions were lost. Only a few that too grounded and letters are not legible. The details of the inscriptions are taken from the inscription book. The original Temple had 12 inscriptions. The inscriptions belongs to 12^th Century Kulothunga Chozha-I & Veerachozhan, 13^th Century Virarajendra, Hoysala King Vira Someswaran & Kongu Pandiyar Vira Pandyan and 16^th Century Mysore ViraNanjaiyar. As per the inscriptions moolavar was called as "Kapaleeswarar" and Ambal was called as "Araperun Selvi". During 13th Century Hoysala King Vira Someswaran period the place was called as "Chembiyan Kizhanadi Nallur". 

The inscriptions mainly mentions about donation of gold, money, material like pillar ( by Thattan  Sirukooththan maaran), etc, towards burning of Temple Lamps,  Neivedyam, Pooja. The Servant maid Araiyan Valli of Vanavan kokizhaanadikal ( may be from Chera princes ), the wife of Vira Rajendran also donated gold towards burning of Lamp.

The Murugan Sannidhi was built during Veerapandiyan period and Vinayagar Sannidhi was built during 12^th Century Veerachozhan period. A Tripuranthakar statue was also donated during Virarajendra period.

The Taxes levied on Soola ( Soola a Kannada word means Dhasi ) was removed during Mysore king ViraNiranjaiyar. Also during the Chozha period the caste discrimination exists as Idangai and Valangai.

LEGENDS

As per the legend, the sthala purana story is related to Vali and Sugriva. Both meditated and Vali got the boon of getting the half power of his opponent. By killing a Brahmin, Vali got the Bramahathi dosha / curse. He got relieved after installing and worshiping of Lord Shiva of this temple.

Maha Vishnu and Brahma also worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 16.30 hrs to 19.30 Hrs. Since the timings are not strictly followed, the Gurukkal may be contacted before visiting the temple.

CONTACT DETAILS:

This temple is attached to the Sri Venkatesa Perumal Temple and comes under the Tamil Nadu HR & CE Department Control. The HR&CE’s officer may be contacted on his land line +91 4296 289270 and the Gurukkal mobile number is 90439 67779.

HOW TO REACH:

Sevur is about 8 KM from Avinashi and 48 KM from Coimbatore.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sri Manneeswarar Temple / அன்னூர் மன்னீசுவரர் கோயில் / மண்ணீஸ்வரர் கோயில், அன்னூர் / Annur / Anniyur, in Coimbatore District, Tamil Nadu.

 3rd February 2019.

Unexpected events were happened in this Kongu Temples heritage Visit. It was around 14.00 hrs, when we reached Annur, Shiva temple. To our surprise the main entrance was kept half opened and cleaning was in progress. When we asked to see at least out side of the sanctums and inscriptions, we are allowed to do so with the restriction of taking photography. The place Annur was called as Anniyur ( அந்நியூர் ), before 12th Century. This place is also called as Then Kalathi and Metralai Thanjavur. ( A Part of Kongu Heritage walk to the Chozha temples, we had been to this temple second time on 12th and 13th of October 2019 ). 

Presiding deity   : Sri Manneeswarar

Consort             : Sri Arunthava Selvi

The Salient features of this temple are….

The temple is facing west with a 7 tier Rajagopuram. A Garuda thoon is in front. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam and Rishabam are immediately after the Rajagopuram.  In koshtam Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar and Brahma. The Koshta moorthams are added at a latter date. A mandapa was built  in front of Dakshinamurthy to form a separate sanctum.

In the prakaram sannadhi for Ambal Arunthava Selvi ( also facing west direction ), Chandran, Suryan, Pradhana Ganapathy, 63var, Nagars, Pancha Lingas.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of Sanctum sanctorum, antarala, artha mandapam and an open mukha mandapam. The Sanctum Sanctorum is on a simple ppati bandha adhistanam with Jagathy, threepatta kumudam and yazhivari. The Bhitti starts with vedhika. Brahmakantha pilasters are on the Bhitti with kalasam, thadi, kudam, mandai, palakai and vettu pothyal. A Three tier Nagara vimana and Dravida sigaram is on the sanctum sanctorum. From Adhistanam to prastaram, built stone.

 

INSCRIPTIONS AND DETAILS:

There are 41 inscription in this temple. The inscriptions belongs to  Kokalimoorka Vikrama Chozhan ( 1004.. 11th Century), Kulothunga Chozha –I and II ( 12th and 13th century ), Virarajendra Chozha (13th Century ), Vikrama Chozha – II & III ( 13th Century ) and Hoysala King Vira Vallalan ( 15th Century ).

The inscriptions mentions this place as Vada parisara Nattu Manniyur, Vikrama Chozha Valanattu Mathurantaka Chathurvedi mangalam, and kuzha mangalamana Virapandyanallur alias Manniyur ( Pandya Rule ). A 11th Century an incomplete Vattezhuthu inscription on the south wall mentions this place as ‘’paampuni kootraththu pazhaiyatru manikka…“

Donations were made in terms of Gold, money, land, land with well and trees, grains, groceries, Ghee, Oil to this temple for daily pooja, Naivedyam, conducting functions, burning of lamp  and perpetual lamps in the temple and   to feed Travelers ( Desandiris ),  poor & Sadhus. The place where the food served is mentioned as Thirugnanasambandar madam. The account of Lamps donated as – existing 114 and additions 15 and total 129 is also recorded.

From the inscriptions, It is understood that upper caste and lower caste ( idangkai & Valangai ) exists or created in 11th … 12th Century itself.

An Interesting inscription of Kongu Pandyas: A Kongu Pandya Sundara Pandya’s 6th year rule inscription stone – soolakal- installed in a field  at Kariya Goundanur about 5 KM away from Annur  mentions that field land  was donated to this Shiva temple. The inscription mentions this place as “Kuzha mangalamana Virapandya Nallurana Manniyur”.

Since the inscriptions available are from beginning of 11th Century, the temple might have existed from 10th or 9th Century.

 A Vikrama Chozha inscription

The Vattezhuthu inscriptions

LEGEND:

As per the legend, This place was once a beet / tapioca forest ( Valli Kizhangu ). Hunters used to dig out the same for eating. A Hunter by name Anni, in the process of  digging his crowbar hits the Swayambhu Shiva Linga under the earth. Blood was oozed out. After hearing this the Chera King  also tried to pull out through elephant assuming that it must be a big beet or Tapioca. Shiva appeared in the form of thunderous cloud and told that he is under the earth. The Chera King and the Hunter Anni prayed Lord Shiva for pardon.  The Chera king built a temple at this place and the place was called after hunter's name as "Anni" and latter corrupted to the present name of Annur.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 05.40 hrs to 12.30 hrs and 16.00 hrs to 20.30 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:

The land line 04254 262450 and mobile 98422 38564 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH:

The place Annur is 20 KM from Sevur, 23 KM from Mettupalayam, 35 KM from Tiruppur and 20 KM from Avinashi.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

 Ambal sannadi

 63var

The fate of donors

Photos taken during the Second Visit is up loaded in the Google Photos. CLICK HERE TO SEE THE ALBUM

An Interesting Soolakal with inscription of Kongu Pandyas: 

A Kongu Pandiya Sundara Pandya’s 6^th year rule inscription stone –soolakal-- installed in a field  at Kariya Goundanur about 5 KM away from Annur  mentions that field land  was donated to this Shiva temple. The inscription mentions this place Karia Goundanur as “Kuzha mangalamana Veerapandiya Nallurana Manniyur”. Thanks to the Land Lord and the Shop owner, who showed us this sulakkal, and in the inscription book it is mentioned as Kuththukkal" 

Location : CLICK HERE ( 11.270597, 77.085038 )

An Interesting inscription of Kongu Pandyas: A Kongu Pandiya Sundara Pandya’s 6^th year rule inscription stone –soolakal-- installed in a field  at Kariya Goundanur about 5 KM away from Annur  mentions that field land  was donated to this Shiva temple. The inscription mentions this place Kari Goundanur as “Kuzha mangalamana Veerapandiya Nallurana Manniyur”. Thanks to the Land Lord and the Shop owner, who showed us this sulakkal, and in the inscription book it is mentioned as Kuththukal" Location : CLICK HERE ( 11.270597, 77.085038 )

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sri Gangadeeswarar Swamy Temple, Karuvalur Near Sevur in Tiruppur District, Tamil Nadu.

A featured post on Indiblogger

03^rd February 2019.

This temple is adjacent to Sri Karunakara Venkatramana Perumal Temple. This Temple’s  sthala purana is linked to the Avanashi Shiva Temple. Since the Sivachariyar’s residence is just adjacent to the temple, Sivachariyar’s son helped us to visit this temple.

Presiding deity   : Sri Gangadeswarar

Ambal               : Sri Kamalambigai.

The important salient features of this temple are….

The temple is facing east with a Gurudathoon or Deepa sthambam. Entrance arch instead of Rajagopuram with stucco image of Shiva and Parvathi on the top. Inside the temple complex, Subramaniyar Sannadhi is in between Sri Gangadeeswarar and Kamalambigai Amman temple. All the three sannadhis are facing east with respective Vahanas and balipeedam. Moolavar is swayambhu. In Koshtam, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar and Durgai.

Ambal Sri Kamalambigai is also constructed similar to main sanctum facing east. In koshtam Vaishnavi, Varaaki, and Brahmi. The old Shiva Lingam and a Rishabam are in the artha mandapam.

In the outer prakaram sannadhi for Chandran, Vinayagar, Pancha Lingas, Chandikeswarar Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Gajalakshmi ( Stucco image  on the wall ). Bairavar, Sani Bhagwan and Suryan.

ARCHITECTURE

Sri Gangadeeswarar sannadhi was built with sanctum antarala, artha mandapam and a mukha mandapam. 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

There is no inscription found. Since the Perumal temple adjacent to this was constructed before Kongu Chozha Veera Rajendran's period during 11th to 12th Century, we may take this temple also constructed in the same period and latter expansions or renovations are done by Vijayanagara Dynasty.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 05.30 hrs to 12.30 hrs and 16.30 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:

The HR&CE department official may be contacted on the land line number 04296 288254 for further details.

HOW TO REACH:

Karuvalur is 10 KM from Sevur.  28 KM from Tiruppur and 50 KM from Coimbatore.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sri Karunakara Venkataramana Perumal, Karuvalur Near Sevur in Tiruppur District, Tamil Nadu.

3^rd February 2019.

After Mokkaneswarar temples visit, we tried our luck to visit this temple since it was around 13.00 hrs. To our luck the temple door was kept opened and the sanctum was closed. But to our request the Battar opened the main door and showed us the artha mandapam and sanctum.

Presiding deity          : Sri Karunakara Venkatramana Perumal Temple.

Thayar                     : Sridevi & Bhudevi

The salient features of this temple are….

The temple is facing east with a  Garuda thoon or Sthambam. The is no entrance arch or Rajagopuram. In the sanctum Perumal is n standing posture with Sridevi and Bhudevi. There is no separate sannadhi for Thayar. In the outer prakaram sannadhi for Thumbikai alwar, Sudarshana Chakrathalwar, Raghu, Kethu, Lakshmi Hayagriva, Veera Anjaneyar.

The temple was renovated during the recent periods. The Pillars and some of the stones are kept in the outer prakaram with pedestals, hope it b=may be used like a bench for sitting.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, artha mandapam and a mukha mandapam. Jayan and Vijayan dwarapalakas are in the artha mandapam. The Sanctum sanctorum is on apada bandha adhistanam with 3 patta Kumudam. The Pilasters are of Brahmakantha pilasters with Kalasam, Kudam, Mandi, Palakai, Veera kandam and vettu pothyal. The prastaram consists of valapi, kotham and sumha mukhas are on Bhoomi Desam. A two tier Nagara - Vesara Vimanam is on the sanctum Sanctorum.

 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

1. ஸ்ரீராஜகேசரி கோனேரின்மை கொண்டான் வடபரிசார நாட்டுப்பழங்கருவலூர் வீரராசேந்திர விண்ணகரெம்பெருமான் கோயிலில் ஸ்ரீகாரிய

2. ஞ்செய்வார்களுக்கு நம்மோலை குடுத்தபடியாவது இவ்வெம்பெருமானுக்கு அமுதுபடிக்கும் பலபடி நிமந்தங்களுக்கும் திருவிளக்குக்கும்

3. குடுத்த குளமாவது கருவலூர் புரோசக்குளம் குடுத்தோம் இக்குளம்  தாங்களே அடைத்து இக்குளத்தால் விளைந்த நிலம் இவ்வெம்பெ

4. ருமானுக்குத் திருவிடையாட்டமாக இறையிலி முற்றூட்டும் செல்வதாகவும் இப்படி செம்பிலும் சிலையிலும் வெட்டிக் கொள்வார்களாக நமக்கு இரு

5. பதாவது முதல் நம்மோலை குடுத்தோம் இவை சோழ குலமாணிக்க மூவேந்த வேளான் எழுத்து இவை யிலாடத்தரையன் எழுத்து இவை கோதவராயன் எழுத்து இவை வில்லவராயன் எழுத்து

The above inscription on the adhistanam kumudam belongs to 13^th Century, Kongu Chozha Veera Rajendran period. During his period this temple was called as “Veera Rajendra Vinnagaram”. The inscription speaks about the donation – Thiruvidayattam -  of  a Purosakulam and  cultivated land to this Perumal Temple for daily pooja, burning of Lamp and neivedyam. This was allowed to inscribe on stone and Cheppu pattayam. The donation was  made by Chozha Kula manika Mooventhavelan, Eladatharayan,  Gothavarayan and Villavarayan.  The meaning for the Puroshakulam in Tamil is as follows

புரோக்ஷம்.

காஞ்சிப் பெரியவரின் கருத்துப்படி புரோக்ஷம் என்பது மந்திர நீர்த் தெளித்தலைக் குறிப்பது. இவ்வகைக் குளியல் “பிரம்மக் குளியல்” என்றும் எடுத்துக்கொள்ளலாம். புரோக்ஷம் என்னும் சமஸ்கிருத ஒலிப்புடைய சொல், தமிழ் வடிவில் புரோசம் என்று திரிந்தது எனலாம். எனவே புரோசுக்குளம் என்பதற்கு மந்திரநீர்த் தெளித்தலாகிய குளியலுக்குரிய குளம் என்று பொருள் கொள்வது சரியாகவே இருக்கும். கல்வெட்டில் குறிப்[பிட்ட படி கருவலூர்க் குளம் கருவலூர் விண்ணகர எம்பெருமானுக்கு அமுதுபடி திருவிளக்கு மற்றும் பல்வேறு நிவந்தங்களுக்கு திருவிடையாட்டமாக / இறையிலியாகக் கொடுக்கப்பட்ட குளம் என்பதோடு புரோசக்குளியலுக்கும் உரியதான ஒன்றாக கருதப்படுகின்றது.

The temple might have been built earlier to the above inscription... may be in 11th to 12th Century and ardha mandapam might have been added at a latter date by Vijayanagara Dynasty.

Inscription Kumudam

LEGENDS

The legend of this temple is associated with Avinashi Shiva temple. As per the sthala puranam, when Sundarar prayed Lord Shiva to give back the boy, who was swallowed by the crock. Shiva ordered the clouds to rain and fill the pond. The place where the clouds gathered is called as Karuvalur ( karumai – black – black clouds will give rain ).

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

The temple will be kept opened between 06.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS:

HOW TO REACH :

Karuvalur is 10 KM from Sevur and 11 KM from Avinashi and 50 KM from Coimbatore.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

 A Pillar relief of Vijayanagara period

 A Pillar relief of Vijayanagara period - may be a donor.

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---