24th August 2019.
During our search for Hero stones around
Kaveripattinam, the locals guided us to this Sulakkal erected on land at
Thatrahalli. It was a practice during the king's rule that a Sulakkal would be
installed on the boundary of the land donated to Shiva Temple and a Vamanakal or
Conch with Chakra stone would be installed on the lands donated to Vishnu
temples.
Some of the Penneswaramadam Shiva Temple inscriptions
mention that boundary stones are installed on the lands donated to this Shiva Temple ( சூலக்கல்லு நாட்டிக் குடுத்தேன் ).
Since this
Village Thatrahalli is very close to ( about 10 km) Penneswaramadam Shiva
temple, probably this land may also be donated to this Shiva temple. This
Sulakkal is erected on land belonging to Nagaraja Goundar (Another stone was also
erected on the land belonging to Muniammal Thottam).
These Soolakkal engravings are a little different from
other Sulakkal. A Sulam is engraved at the center. Mangala symbols are
engraved around the Sulam. A crown is
engraved on the top which looks like flying (symbolizes, donating to the supreme
power). Two whisks / Chowri are
engraved along with a moon (the donation should continue till the moon exists) and a SauSwastika a counterclockwise of the Swastik symbol (a tantric aspect of
Kali – may be an error by the sculptor, instead of Swastika. A Swastika
represents a Sun, prosperity and good luck). The regular symbol of the Sun was replaced by this SauSwastika. Two Lamps
are engraved on the side of the Sulam. A Kalasam is also engraved on the Bottom of
the sulakkal. There are no inscriptions found below and back side of the
sulakkal.
As per the local people, some rituals will be
performed for a girl child who attained age. Also, a lady showed us they had
taken some precious stones taken around this Sulakkal. We also observed broken
pots scattered around the Sulakkal, which is evidence of prehistoric settlement
around this area.
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
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