Dolmens, Koil Houses, Hero Stones, Veerakallu / நடுகற்கள் /வீரகல்லு, at Melur, Nilgiris of Kongu Nadu, Tamil Nadu.

It was a long wish to see the Hero stones of Melur in Nilgiris District after came through Mr Kumaravel. Came to know that there are about 15 Hero stones with Dolmens. Most of the hero stones are housed in “Koil Houses”. In that the Hero stones are erected either on the back or on all their sides and the top will be covered with stone slabs. Hence these Dolmens may be of Koil Houses and experts are requested to comment on this.

Almost all the hero stones are sati stones. Out of 15 Hero stones 2 Hero/sati stones seem to be interesting and the rest are of very crude finish. These two hero stones are a little different from the Hero/sati stones with 3 tier/4 tier found at Thalavadi and Mysore regions. In this, the heroic action, sati and other details are shown keeping the Hero at the centre and the rest around him without segregation. 

PULIKUTHI HERO STONE - 1

In this, the hero is holding a long spear and pointing at the Tiger. Hero is wearing ornaments on the neck and ears. The ears are shown as elongated. The moustache is not shown to the hero. The hero wears a half dress below his hip and a kattar is tied to the hip. The hero’s tuft or the hairstyle is the speciality of this Hero stone. This Hero is shown at the centre. On the right, A male and a Female are shown. This signifies that the hero’s wife might have taken sati. On the left, a Horse and  a Man with a woman are shown. In addition, there is a boy shown with a different type of Legs. On the top three persons are shown in sitting posture.

PULIKUTHI HERO STONE - 2

This is another Hero stone similar to the above. In this, the hero with a big moustache is shown in the centre Killing a Tiger with a spear. On his left top the hero’s wife, who took sati after the hero’s death is shown. The Hero’s wife is shown with her right hand raised holding a lemon similar to the sati stones found in Thalavadi and Mysore regions. The Hero wears ornaments and the half dress is shown neatly with decorations. The hero’s tuft and the Moustache remind the Nayakas style.  

On his right two men are shown, in that one man is holding a bow with an arrow. On the top Sun and moon are also shown. Based on the style inscriptions this hero stone belongs to the 17^th to 18^th century.

One of the Koil House was whitewashed. It was learnt from the nearby Shiva temple caretaker, that every year pooja will be conducted at Shiva temple. During that time, pooja will be conducted at this Koil House first and then taken to Shiva temple.

LOCATION OF THE HERO STONES:  CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---