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

17^th March 2019.

After visiting Karikkaiyur Rock Arts, we planned to visit some Hero and Sati stones with Dolmens near Kotagiri. However, when we returned, it was too late. For lack of time and the distance from Kotagiri, we missed the hero stones of Melur near Coonoor. The posts do not show the sequence of visits.

HERO, SATI STONES/ VEERAKALLU & DOLMENS & MENHIR AT BETALADA.

These hero and sati stone groups are available in an Amman Temple and initially, admission was denied to the ladies and later 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 stones a bas-relief of  “Madu kuthi pattan” is there. The heroes are holding swords, spears, 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 a brick structure was built. As per the experts, these Hero & Sati stones belong to the 16^th to 17^th Century. There is a medium-height Menhir at the entrance of the temple. This temple is being maintained by the Villagers.

LOCATION OF THE HERO STONES: CLICK HERE

 Pulikuthi Satikal

 Dolmen

  Menhir

 Amman Temple

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---