Rock Arts of Krishnagiri in Rock Shelters, Gevi Gundu, Karadi Kudda - Kudaikal and Bellarapalli near Krishnagiri Dam, Krishnagiri District, Tamil Nadu.

24^th & 25^th August 2019.

The two-day visit was mainly focused on Rock art in the natural caves/shelters around Kaveripattinam and Krishnagiri. During our visit, we visited 9 natural shelters/hills, where red and white ocher are found. Unlike the Kilvalai, Alambadi, Sttavarai, and Neghanur (Neganur) Patti near Villupuram on the banks of the river Then Pennai,  these shelters are natural caves formed by the rocks and part of the hills. The presence of white and red ochre rock art indicates that these shelters are  used continuously, and the red ochre is considered to be more than 10 thousand years old.  Some of the shelters are spacious, and some are very small. These shelters are facing an open area so that the movements of animals and other groups can be watched. A very important point is that the shelter will be close to water sources with easy access.

The artists record the animals that they have seen (like horses, tigers), birds, reptiles like snakes, and scorpions, celebrations (rhythmic dancing), hunting of animals, fighting between the groups, cultural activities, sun, Lamps (Pandil lamps), patterns, symbols, designs, etc. Since the caves/shelters are used continuously, the rock art may belong to different periods.

GEVI GUNDU ROCK ARTS

This shelter is about 30 feet from the ground level, and all three sides can be seen from the shelter. The protruding rock (like a dinosaur's head with a mouth) forms the shelter. The rock arts are drawn on the side of the rock.  The rock art consists of 8-angle stars, Suryan, Chandran, a Pandil lamp, a hunter hunting an animal, a fertility symbol, and a Chariot. A man is standing at the center of the chariot. This indicates that the pulling of the chariot existed 5000 years ago.

KARADI KUDDA – KUDAIKAL ROCK ARTS.

This shelter is very near the Krishnagiri Dam. Since the shelter is in the form of an umbrella, this shelter is called Kudaikal. The approach is a little difficult. The above Kudaikal shelter rock art group consists of Pandil lamps, Damru-like fertility symbols, stars, and different shapes of square & rectangular, chariot-like shapes. No human figures or animals are seen in this rock art group.

Here too, the sad part is the scribbling of names on the rock arts, miscreants.

BELLARAPALLI – 1, NEAR KRISHNAGIRI DAM.

On the west side of the dam, we saw rock art on two small hills. On the 1^st hill, the shelter is very small, and we have to crawl inside. It can accommodate only two to three people. The white ochre rock art consists of a scorpion with a man and 3 fertility symbols. The Scorpion is very big compared to a man.

BELLARAPALLI – 2, NEAR KRISHNAGIRI DAM.

This shelter is about 20 to 30 feet from the ground level. The space is a little larger than the 1^st one. The roof and side of the shelter have white ochre rock art. The rock art group consists of  some fertility symbols, a man, and a scorpion. The man’s face is facing to his right side.

The sad part of this site is the scribbling of names on the rock arts and miscreants. Some people had cooked in this place, and smoke also deposited on the rooftop.

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---