03rd
& 04th February 2020.
During
our temple visit in Erode and Karur Districts, scheduled on 03rd
& 04th February 2020, we came across some hero stones either
installed inside the temples or in open ground. Some of the Hero stones are
still under worship on a daily or annually.
In addition to the Hero stones, we happened to see loose sculptures and
megalithic period burial monuments.
TITLE :
HERO STONE ( KUTHIRAI KUTHI PATTAN KAL )
- குதிரை குத்திப் பட்டான் கல்
PLACE :
Pavithram, Karur District
LOCATION :
In a private field
PERIOD :16th
to 17th Century.
DETAILS :
This
hero stone is standing on a rocky surface. This hero stone was erected for two heroes who lost their lives in the
process of killing a wild horse. The left hero holds a spear-like weapon that
pierces through the body of the horse. The end of the weapon is shown outside
the body of the horse with a bend, The second hero is also holding a spear which
pierces through the body of the horse.
TITLE :
Ayyanar
PLACE :
Munnur, in Karur District.
LOCATION :
In front of Sellandi Amman Temple
PERIOD :
16th to 17th Century.
DETAILS :
The
Ayyanar statue is found in an open field in front of the Amman Temple at Munnur. Ayyanar is in a sukhasana sitting posture with his left leg resting on the ground. He holds a chendu in his right hand, and his left-hand rests on his left thigh. He wears an ornament on his neck and a yagnopaveetha (Not in the usual direction). He also wears anklets on his legs. His hair is shown like a wave behind his head.
TITLE :
HERO STONES
PLACE :
Munnur, Karur District
LOCATION :
In a field
PERIOD :
16th to 17th Century.
DETAILS :
There
are two hero stones erected in a field. Both hero stones are made of brittle
stone and not like granite. Hence both hero stones are weathered due to rain
and sun heat. On the left, the hero stone was erected for a horse hero holding a
sword on his right and holding a rope of the bridle. He is shown
riding on a horse.
The
other one is also a Hero stone. In that, the hero is holding an arrow/sword ( not visible clearly ) in his right hand
and a bow in his left hand. A half-dress is shown below his waist with frills.
The stone was buried below the leg.
TITLE :
HERO STONE
PLACE :
Munnur, Karur District
LOCATION :
In the garden of a private farm
PERIOD :16th
to 17th Century.
DETAILS :
This
hero stone was erected inside a gated farm. The owner was kind enough to came
and opened the gate for our Visit. The owner of the land said that he purchased
the land about 40 years before. The hero stone is under worship. The hero is
holding a sword in his right hand and holds a bow in his left hand. An arrow is
shown pierced through his right leg. The
hero might have died in the process of fighting with his enemies and hit by
the arrow.
TITLE :
Karkuvai
PLACE :
Munnur, Karur District
LOCATION :
In the burial ground
PERIOD :
Megalithic period.
DETAILS :
Happened
to see this Karkuvai (disturbed) in the same area. A herdswoman said that it
is a “kal kuva- கல் குவ”,
a burial ground/place for the local community called poojaris. Once a year, the people migrated to various places gathered here, and did pooja.
TITLE :
CHEKKU / OIL EXTRACTION WITH INSCRIPTIONS
PLACE :
Munnur, Karur District
LOCATION :
In a private field
PERIOD :
10th Century.
DETAILS :
There
are about 11 Chekkus found in the open field. It was said that old merchants had done business in this place which was the capital city Karur of Chera
Kingdom. One of the chekku broken in two pieces has the 10th-century inscriptions.
TITLE :
LAND DONATION INSCRIPTION STONES
PLACE :
Munnur, Karur District
LOCATION :
In a private field
PERIOD :
10th Century.
DETAILS :
We
had seen two inscription stones one on a back side of a house and another in
the middle of a field. The first one is an inscription pillar of the Chozha period
which records the gift of land with periphery markings.
The
other inscription stone in the middle of the field records the gift of land to
a Shiva Temple. A Rishabam with a trident is shown below the inscription. Also, there is a symbol of a square.
TITLE :
HERO STONE
PLACE :
KARUR
LOCATION : State Government Museum
PERIOD :16th
to 17th Century.
DETAILS :
This
is the only hero stone available at the museum. The hero stone is highly
eroded. The Hero holds a sword in his right hand and a bow in his left hand.
TITLE :
HERO STONES ( Navakandam )
PLACE :
Nerur, Karur District
LOCATION :
Badrakaliamman Temple
PERIOD :16th
to 17th Century.
DETAILS :
Three hero stones are installed on the west side of the temples. The heroes are standing in a similar posture. The right hand is shown with a sword cutting his head. The left hand is resting on another sword. The hero’s tuft is shown on the right side. They are wearing a half dress below their waist.
TITLE :
HERO STONE
PLACE :
Karur, Karur District
PERIOD :16th
to 17th Century.
DETAILS :
This
hero stone is worshiped as Vil Vettuvar Samy -
வில் வேட்டுவர் சாமி”, by the local people.
The hero holds a bow and arrow in his left hand
and a sword in his right hand. The hero is wearing ornaments on his neck and
ears. Tuft is also shown. A Half dress is shown below his waist. An arrow is
shown pierced through his right leg. The
hero might have died in the war.
TITLE :
Chithramezhi Kal
PLACE :
Karur, Karur District
PERIOD :16th
to 17th Century.
DETAILS :
This relief stone consists of reliefs Chithramezhi,
Aruva/sickle, bow, arrow, and on the left what is shown is not known. This
stone is under worship. Experts of the opinion that this may belong to the Chithramezhi Group (Farmers) and their protecting army/soldiers. Inscriptions
are found on the top half portion. The letters are not legible due to the continuous
application of oil and smoke from the incense sticks.
TITLE : HERO STONE
PLACE : Thirumukkudalur, Karur District
LOCATION : In front of Agastheeswarar Shiva Temple
PERIOD :16th to 17th Century.
DETAILS :
The hero holds swords in both hands and the right-hand sword is shown as cutting his head. A Half dress is shown below his waist. He is wearing rings on his legs and hands. The hero might have died in the war.
Wanakkam Sir?
ReplyDeleteI am kim from Korea.
I happen to find your good photos and writing about tamil culture.
I am interesting about india rural culture, I also felt deep similarities between South-indian culture and korean rural ethnic culture.
Theseday I am making a book about korean old rural culture,
In my book, I will add south indian-korean similarities, similar custom etc.
if you don't mind, I hope insert your Karkuvai-photo in my book.
So, I ask your permission about that.
The photo is one in this blog, the other is this
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qBKAcEP_JU4/WYEgz-TnVnI/AAAAAAAA9eE/jQ-hHOp7Gi8BzYBG1kx0OjplNkuAJblyACKgBGAs/s640/IMG_3492.JPG
I surely will write your credit name and blog name.
I visited india several times, especially I like tamil nadu, south india.
I couldn't find your e-mail address, so I write here.
My e-mail is coreanbaba@gmail.com
If you have any condition, please tell me.
I sincerely hope your permission.
Thanks.
Thanks for the hidden valuable information. Request to provide the exact location of the Veerakallu so that interested people can visit.
ReplyDeleteCould you share the location or route to the below veerakallu.
The reason am asking is that because yaknopavithra on stone is in opposite direction/side to what people wear. So wanted to know if the image is flipped or more info can be seen around the place. Thanks
Refering to the link https://veludharan.blogspot.com/2020/03/hero-stones-nadukarkal-veerakallu-loose.html
TITLE : Ayyanar
PLACE : Munnur, in Karur District.
LOCATION : In a field
PERIOD : 16th to 17th Century.
DETAILS :
The Ayyanar statue is found in an open field in front of a, Amman Temple at Munnur. Ayyanar is in sukasana sitting posture with left leg is resting on the ground. He holds a chendu in his right hand and the left hand is resting on his legt tigh. Wears ornament on his neck and a yaknopavithra. He also wears anklets on his legs. The hair is shown like wave behind his head.
Thanks for the hidden valuable information. Request to provide the exact location of the Veerakallu so that interested people can visit. Could you share the location or route to the below veerakallu.
ReplyDeleteThe reason am asking is because yaknopavithra in veerakallu is in opposite direction/side to what people wear. So wanted to know if the image is flipped or more info can be seen around the place. Thanks
Refering to the link https://veludharan.blogspot.com/2020/03/hero-stones-nadukarkal-veerakallu-loose.html
TITLE : Ayyanar
PLACE : Munnur, in Karur District.
LOCATION : In a field
PERIOD : 16th to 17th Century.
DETAILS :
The Ayyanar statue is found in an open field in front of a, Amman Temple at Munnur. Ayyanar is in sukasana sitting posture with left leg is resting on the ground. He holds a chendu in his right hand and the left hand is resting on his legt tigh. Wears ornament on his neck and a yaknopavithra. He also wears anklets on his legs. The hair is shown like wave behind his head.
Thanks Nagabhushan for visiting our blog.. The Ayyanar is in front of an Amman temple, which is on the north end of the Village... Yes about Yaknopavitha it is in the reverse direction only and the image is not flipped. The village link is given in the post.. ( village is small and there wouldn't any problem to locate)
DeleteWanakkam Veludharan,
DeleteI could get munnur village from google maps - Left of Karur and south of Noyyal.
There are few Amman temples request for more info so that when i travel to Karur (which i often do) will plan to see it. Could you help me with the correct amman temple as there few on the north side
1. On the North side there is Neeliamman Temple
2. On North below Noyyal river there is Bhagavathi amman temple
3. On North below Noyyal river there is Sri Chinna Ponnachi Amman Temple
could not find any other Amman temple from google maps.
Since these places are not much populated, it is difficult to locate. Any your hint will be helpful.
Got the location. Thanks for the link.
DeletePlease ignore previos post for more information.
Referring to another ancient temple near Tanjavur, if you could make some post on this it would be great. As per the caretaker of the temple, it is older than Chola era.
Sree BrammaPureeswarar Temple, Neadar Alangudi
https://maps.app.goo.gl/H1sciZwi3pYpd8Ua6
Thanks for the information, will write about it after visiting in the next opportunity
DeleteDear Nagabhushan.. thanks for your comments... Really it gave me to recollect my memories and my photos storage device.. At last I am able to locate with help of my old Photographs, Google Maps and its street view. Now all the hero stones and inscription stones has their exact location matching all the three applications of Google. Please give me your feedback after visiting these places.
DeleteRegards