Hero Stones / Nadukarkal / Veerakallu at Patlur, Olagadam, Anthiyur of Erode District, Tamil Nadu.

03^rd & 04^th February 2020.

During our Temples Visit in Erode and Karur Districts, scheduled on 03^rd & 04^th 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              : Pulikuthi Sati Stone

PLACE             : PATLUR, in Erode District

LOCATION       : Kariyakaliamman Temple

PERIOD           : 15^th to 16^th Century.

DETAILS         :

This Pulikuthi Hero Stone is found in the Kariyakaliamman temple. In this, the hero is killing a tiger with a spear. The hero wears a half dress below his waist. A kattar is shown on his waist. The tiger’s front legs are shown resting on the Hero’s left hand and one of the back legs rests on the hero’s left knee. His wife who took sati is shown on the left side.

TITLE              : Hero Stones, Sati Stone, and Navakandam of Lady

PLACE             : Olagadam in Erode District

LOCATION       : Sri Olageshwara Temple

PERIOD           : 12^th to 13^th Century.

DETAILS         :

This group consists of 3 Hero stones of which two belong to a sati stone in which the hero and his wife are carved separate stone slabs. In the Hero Stone, the hero holds a sword in the right hand and a different weapon in the left hand. On the top Sun and moon are shown. On the right, a cow is shown. This hero might have died in the process of safeguarding the cattle ( ஆநிரை மீட்டல் ).

Believed that the wife of the hero is shown with a pot in the right hand may be a toddy pot and the left hand is in the raised position. What is shown in that hand is not known.

The third Nadukal is carved out of white stone, in which a lady is shown holding her knife in her right hand. Since the Nadukal is damaged couldn’t get more details. This is one of the rare Hero Stones erected for a lady who took the Navakandam 

TITLE              : Hero Stones

PLACE             : PATLUR, In Erode District

LOCATION       : Near Vageeswarar Temple

PERIOD           : 14^th Century.

DETAILS         :

This group consists of 3 Hero stones. The center one was erected for a hero, who holds a parasu-like weapon in his right hand and a shield in his left hand. He might have died in a war. Inscriptions are found on the right side corner of the hero stone.

On the left side slab stone, a Horse with three ladies is carved. The center lady carries a child on her hip and the other lady carries something on her head.

On the right, a memorial stone was erected for a Horse. A seat is shown on its back. This shows that the horse might have died in the war along with the hero.

TITLE              : Hero Stone

PLACE             : Anthiyur in Erode District

LOCATION       : Veerabadraswamy Temple

PERIOD           : 16^th to 17^th Century.

DETAILS         :

This hero stone is erected outside the temple. The hero holds a spear in his right hand and a shield in his left hand. A simple half-dress without any frills is shown on his waist. A Kattar is also shown on his waist. Tuft is also shown above his head.

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---