Thursday, 28 March 2019

Hero Stone / Veerakallu, Sati Stone / Nadukarkal, Dolmens and Menhirs at Betalada near Kotagiri, in Nilgiris District, Tamil Nadu.

17th March 2019.
It was planned to visit some Hero & Sati stones with Dolmens near Kotagiri after visiting Karikkaiyur Rock Arts. It was too late when we returned after visiting the Rock Arts. We missed the hero stones of Melur near Coonoor, for want of time and the distance from Kotagiri. The posts written are not in the sequence of visit.

HERO, SATI STONES/ VEERAKALLU & DOLMENS & MENHIR AT BETALADA.
These hero and sati stone group are available in an Amman Temple and initially admission was denied to the ladies and latter allowed after washing their legs. The group consists of 3 hero & sati stones of 4 tier and 2 tier and a Pulikuthi Sati stone. In the 4 tier and two tier hero & sati  stones are not installed for individuals, but for a group. Some hero has two wives. The wives are holding lemon ( like Karnataka Sati “ondikai Masti” ) in their right hand and liquor pot in their left hand. In one of the Hero Cum Sati stone a bas-relief of  “Madu kuthi pattan” is there. The heros are holding sword, spear and Valari ( It was told this type of weapon is the specialty of this region to fight with the Britishers ). In addition to this there is a  Dolmen. It was told that the above three Hero cum sati stones are in dolmens, latter they were dismantled and brick structure was built.  As per the experts these Hero & Sati stones belongs to 16th to 17th Century.  There is a medium height  Menhir at the entrance of the temple. This temple is being maintained by the Villagers.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE




 Pulikuthi Satikal

 Dolmen
  Menhir

 Amman Temple
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA--- 

Tuesday, 26 March 2019

Hero Stone / Sati Stones / Veerakallu, Dolmens at Banagudi and Sholurmattam near Kotagiri in Nilgiris District, Tamil Nadu.

17th March 2019.
It was planned to visit some Hero & Sati stones with Dolmens near Kotagiri after visiting Karikkaiyur Rock Arts. It was too late when we returned after visiting the Rock Arts. We missed the hero stones of Melur near Coonoor, for want of time and the distance from Kotagiri. The posts written are not in the sequence of visit.

HERO STONES WITH DOLMENTS AT BANAGUDI.
Since the actual route was known we trekked a small hill and pass through a Tea estate. This group of about 15 Dolmens are under the control of Archaeological Survey of India ( ASI ).  A big Dolmen houses 4 tier two Hero stones. These hero stones are for a group of heros. One of the Hero stone has the Shiva Linga on the top row.

It was told that these Hero stones are worshiped by the “Boyar” community people and Local people call this as Pandi Kovil. Based on the Iconography these hero stones may belongs to 16th Century.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE












HERO & SATI STONE AT SHOLURMATTAM.
The visit to this hero stone is not in our list and happened to see this, on the way to karikkaiyur. In front it was written as Spatha Kanniyar Temple at Selakal hada. When we peeped inside and found this hero cum sati stone is being worshiped as Saptha kanniyar. The Nadukal is of 3 tiers and bottom tier is partly visible out side the ground level. On the top the reliefs of Sun and moon. Also we found this Hero cum Sati stone was installed inside a dolmen and side walls are constructed with brick at a latter date. This Hero Cum sati stone may belongs to 16th Century.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE


---OM SHIVAYA NAMA--- 

Monday, 25 March 2019

Prehistoric Rock Arts and Paintings at Porivarai / Karikkaiyur / கரிக்கையூர், near Kotagiri in Nilgiris District, Tamil Nadu.

17th March 2019.
It was a long wish to see this prehistoric Mesolithic period ( 8000 BCE to 2700 BCE ), rock art in a naturally formed rock shelter at Porivarai near Karikkaiyur in Nilgiris District. The guides who led us showed the boundary line of Nilgiris District and Erode District and pointed out that Porivarai is in Erode District ( Kongu Nadu ). This visit was nicely organized by Mr Gireesh and Mr Kumaravel with good food and transport. Thanks to both of them and the participants.


We, 15 heritage enthusiasts started in a van from Coimbatore and reached Sholurmattam near Kotagiri. The Karikkaiyur is about 15 KM from there. Since the road from Sholurmattam was very bad, we hired two Jeeps/ Vans and reached Karikkaiyur. Karikkaiyur is dominated by the Irula, a hill tribe community. From the Karikkaiyur village, the local boys guided us to reach the spot, which is about 3.5 KM. The path was narrow with thorny bushes on both sides. The slopes are slippery due to the tree leaves on footpaths. Also, it was frightening to see the elephant’s dung on the path. Finally reached the spot.

The spot was identified in the year 2004 by Mr G Chandrasekaran and K T Gandhirajan. The rock shelter is about 300 feet high and 500 feet long facing east. Honeycombs are hanging from the top.  The Shelter’s entrance is narrow and a deep valley in front, which makes this shelter a secure place. It can easily accommodate 100 to 150 people. The Rock arts are drawn from about 3 feet to 20 feet high. What sort of arrangement has been made to draw above 8 feet is not known. The Rock arts are done during different periods by different artists. There are more than 500 images drawn of which few of them are eroded due to weather & Climate. These arts are drawn with white ochre and a few are colored with kavi on the white ochre. Kavi-colored arts are believed to be of the earlier period.

The images are from animals to Humans. A series of Bulls, taming and domestication of bulls & wild animals, Deer, Elephants, domestic fowl, men riding on the animals, men carrying a boar after hunting, war scenes, Training for the war, a mongoose and snake fight, cattle herds with calf. Some of the group arts represent the celebration of functions by playing musical instruments, animals hunting for food, fighting scenes, and cattle herds. The painter remembers the scenes that he had seen/ witnessed and reproduced in the form of rock art. Group paintings are more compared to the individual paintings.

Celebration with the playing of drum  

The prehistoric arts give us information on Social & economic activities, the way of their life, ideology, Culture, environmental context, the stages of changes in the activities of human beings, and the materials & tools used. It was also told that a group of people with a bull indicates that, the recent period game of “Jallikattu” was played about 5000 years before itself.

It is sad to notice that recent paintings with names were done by the miscreants, which spoils the prehistoric paintings. 
  
HOW TO REACH:
The Site Porivarai is about 3.5 KM from Karikkaiyur, which is about  is about 40 KM from Kotagiri and 15 KM from Sholurmattam. Bus facility is available from Sholurmattam. Since the road is too bad, a Jeep / Van may be hired from Sholurmattam.

CONTACT DETAILS:
Mr. Kirushnamurthy may be contacted through his mobile for help and guidance on 904749699 and 9487342108.

LOCATION:  Coordinates 11.468654 and 76.997490









It is possible that members of the tribes were recruited into the royal armies and became acquainted with army dress. Since they are standing in a straight line, the war might have taken in plains.

Cattle herd moving for grazing

a cattle with its calf

Celebrating the boar hunting 



The depiction of skeleton and intestine of living animals- X-ray expression of prehistoric rock arts. 
A bird in Karikkaiyur village
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sunday, 24 March 2019

Velliangiri Andavar Temple / வெள்ளியங்கிரி ஆண்டவர் கோயில் / “THEN KAILAYAM” - Velliangiri Hills, Poondi in Coimbatore District, Tamil Nadu.

16th March 2019.
Based on the previous year's experience decided to trek the Velliangiri Hills otherwise known as “Then Kailayam”, the abode of Lord Shiva, immediately after the Maha Shivaratri. Even though it was planned 2 months before, I am not sure of making it this year due to pain in my right Knee. ( trekked 4 years/times with a metal plate with 7 screws to give strength to broken right leg.... ). Finally boarded the train to Coimbatore from Chennai. We 5, people reached Poondi, the base temple of Sri Velliangiri Andavar,  around midnight. Purchased the bamboo sticks, deposited the Camera in the clock room, and started our trekking at 00.30 hrs. At the beginning of the steps to Hill Forest officials check the baggage for any plastic items. ( Carry bags, water bottle labels, matchboxes,  etc are not allowed to carry). After taking a rest in many places finally reached the 7th hill and had the darshan of Sri Velliangiri Andavar around 07.00 hrs.

 The final destination - the 7th hill a panoramic view

 The back side of the cave 






 The path with boulders 
  The path-side shops
  Pambatti siddhar cave 
 The un-even steps
The Vazhukku parai steps
not the snake.. the twisted fallen tree on the footpath
The un-even steps
 A small shrine near the 6th hill 

Had our breakfast, at Vattaparai on the return path of the 7th Hill and started our return trekking.  The group got separated and the youngsters trekked down faster. We two alone trekked down slowly taking a rest and sleeping in many places.  The sun above us didn’t show any mercy on us. The temperature of the black powdered soil, the slippery of the powdered soil due to the walking of the Shiva devotees, the hot Vazhukkuparai steps, the uneven steps, the scattered boulders path, and the sleepless night,   made the trekking more difficult.  Most importantly the knee pain, made me trek down loading my body weight on the left leg alone. This leads to pain in the thigh and cough muscles.  It was around 15.30 hours when we reached the Poondi base temple.

SOME OF THE IMPORTANT  POINTS TO THE NEW TREKKERS..
Even though the Velliangiri hill is comprised of 7 hills, actually they are not separated. The 7 hills are counted as, Up to “Vellai Pillayar” as 1st Hill, the bamboo tree forest on both sides as 2nd Hill, Lemon grass on both sides as 3rd hill, 4,5 & 6 has small peaks and 7th is the natural cave with Shiva Lingas.
 
About 25 steps from the base, there is a path on the right side that leads to a small cave temple.  On the way the interesting places are Pambatti Siddhar cave, Kaithatti Sunai, 236 Vazhukkuparai Rock cut steps in the second hill, Vibhuti Hill, Kungumam Hill,  “Aandi Sunai” at the end of 6th Hill ( like a pond – may be a source of drinking water to the animals during non-seasons),  “Bheeman Kali Urundai”, “Siruvani Dam View”, Vinayagar Temple and "Ottan Siddhar Jeeva Samadhi", who is believed to be responsible for building the steps on the 7th Hill.

 The Samadhi of Ottan Siddhar is believed to be responsible for the construction of the steps

 The entrance to the cave
 The Main Cave -Shrine Swayambhu Shiva Lingas

The sunrise view will be awesome from the 7th hilltop where Lord Shiva’s cave exists. It will be auspicious to trek on “Chitra Pournami”, at night and watch the Sunrise from the top of the Hill. The Sun rays used to fall on the Natural Shiva Lingas ( 3 Lingas).

 The sunrise

Devotees are allowed to trek from Maha Shivaratri  ( Which usually falls during Feb last to March first week ) to May 31st. It is not advisable to trek from June 1st since, in Coimbatore district, the rainy season will be started. Allowed to trek day and night during the season. After the season, Devotees are allowed to trek during the daytime only on “No Moon Day” ie -Amavasai. From 2018 onwards ladies of all age groups are allowed to trek. 

A special Transport facility is being arranged by the Transport Corporation during “Chitra Pournami” days from Coimbatore City to Poondi, the base Temple.

We will be facing both hot and Chill climates during the trekking. From the 4th hill onwards the temperature will be low and on the 7th hill it will be very low, hence it is advised to carry, a blanket, sweater, or shawl.

Do’s AND Don’ts
Do’s.

  • Please carry at least 2 liters of drinking water.
  • Carry the required medicines.
  • Carry Torch lights with spare batteries, in case the trekking is done at night time.
  • Carry food for one time at least, fruits, Chocolates. Biscuits, Glucose, ( there are about 20 shops on the trekking route, where you can get some herbal tea, snacks, Cucumber, Dharpoosini, raw Mango, etc,. )
  • Carry a stick ( Temple authorities sell bamboo sticks @ a cost of Rs 30 per stick ).
  • 90%of the devotees used to trek on bare foot considering Velliangiri as a holy hill. But some people used to trek with slippers, chappals/sandals and shoes.

Don’ts

  • Heart patients are advised to keep off from trekking.
  • Please avoid carrying plastic bottles (Water bottle labels to be removed), plastic bags, matchboxes, polythene bags, etc,.
  • Please do not feed monkeys ( It will make them a beggar and they will forget to search their food on their own)
  • Less luggage more comfort. There is a clock room where you can deposit the luggage ( Charge is Rs 20 per bag.)
  • Cameras are not allowed to take beyond the base temple.


THE DETAILS OF MY PREVIOUS VISITS ARE….
2011....2012....2013....2015....2016....2017....2018

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---