Hero Stones / Veeragallu / Nadukarkal / நடுகற்கள் / Sati Stones / Pulikuthi Hero Stones at Hale Alur, Honganoor, Kalale, Doddathuppur and Wayanad, Karnataka and Kerala.

22^nd & 23^rd June 2019.

During our two-day search on Chozha period Shiva and Vishnu temples in Karnataka State, we came across Some Hero stones (Veeragallu), Sati Stones, and Pulikuthi Nadukals. Compared to any other States Karnataka has a more number of Nadukarkal (Veeragallu). The war between Chozhas, Hoysalas, and Vijayanagara may be one of the reasons. Some of the Nadukarkal are also erected for the heroes who lost their lives in the process of safeguarding their cattle. Most of these memorial stones belong to the 16^th to 17^th Century. Except for one or two, the rest are in worship. The Nadukarkal are found in temples. In the temple, hero stones are worshiped as moolavar. It was a surprise to see a Pulikuthi Hero stone found in a dilapidated  Jain Temple.

HALE ALUR

On Arkeshwara temple premises, found a collection of Hero, sati, and ondikai masti stones. In that, some of them are  3 tiers. Since the temple is under the control of the Archaeological Survey of India, these Hero and Sati stones might have been brought from elsewhere and kept in this temple.

LOCATION OF THE HERO STONES: CLICK HERE

HONGANOOR.

Had seen a hero/ sati stone found in a dilapidated Shiva Temple site. The hero’s wife is shown faintly. In the same Village, Two numbers of 3-tier hero stones are found in Sri Arkeshwara Shiva Temple. Since partially visible, the reason for the hero’s death is not known.

LOCATION OF THE HERO STONES:

SRI VEERABHADRA SWAMY TEMPLE, KALALE.

There are 4 Hero stones installed as moolavar and about 20 Hero stones are installed around the temple. This type of temple is found in Krishnagiri District also. It was learned that practice was followed by the Kurumbar Community.  A detailed post was written on this Sri Veerabhadra Swamy Temple.  

LOCATION:

DODDATHUPPUR

This Pulikuthi sati stone is found near a dilapidated Jain temple at Doddathuppur. While the hero is killing a tiger, his wife who took Sati is also shown on his right side.

LOCATION OF THE HERO STONES: CLICK HERE

A Pulikuthi Sati stone

WAYANAD HERITAGE MUSEUM.

The Nadukarkal (Veeragallu), Hero, and Sati stones are collected from places like Ambalavayal, Muthanga, Pulpally (The Edakkal cave inscription also mentions this place name), Edathara of Wayanad Districts. The Nadukarkal belongs to the 14^th to 17^th century.  Some of them are 3 tier Hero stones. In the three-tire hero stone, the top tier which represents heaven is with Krishna playing the flute.  Since Wayanad is close to the Karnataka border, the three-tier concept might have been adopted from Karnataka. The Nadukal / Hero stones finish is not so good and the details are not clear. Moreover, the stones used are different from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.  In that two hero stones are a little different. One is installed for a group of people and the other one is for a hero who lost his life in a bullock cart racing.

LOCATION OF THE MUSEUM: CLICK HERE

 Pulikuthi Nadukal- In the upper stage Krishna is shown to signify that the hero belongs to the Vaishnava sect.

Mattu Vandi ottipattan kal 

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---