Hero Stone / Navakandam / Arikandam / Veerakallu / வீரகல், at Sri Kangiamman Temple, Thiruvothur, Thiruvannamalai District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to these Hero Stones at Kangiamman Temple was a part of  Heritage Visit to the Temples, Thavvai, Kotravai, Durgai, Hero Stone sculpture’s around Cheyyar in Tiruvannamalai District on 22^nd August 2021. Thanks to Logesh for his guidance, Babu mano and Manoj.

NAVAKANDAM HERO STONE

There are two Navakanda statues installed on the back side of the Kangiamman Temple. One of the Navakanda statue is made out of Green stone. The hero stands straight and looking front. The Hero is shown holding a sword in the right hand keeping down. The left hand holds the sword and cutting his head. The hero wears ornaments in the ears and around the neck. A Kireedam is shown on the head and  big mustache is also shown on his face. A Kattar is shown on his hip.

Since  this hero is with a Kireedam and made out of special Green stone, the hero must be Chieftain or a leader of a Group. Please note that this temple is under the control of Mudaliars, The hero may belongs to Kaikolar  Padai. This sculpture is very much similar to 5 Hero stones found at Thirumalpur  ( They also holds the swords in left hand  ) and are worshiped by the Mudaliar Community.

ARIKANDAM - HERO STONE

The Other Hero stone is a arikandam. The hero cuts off his head  with a sword holding in both hands. A big mustache is shown on his face. The hero wears ornaments in his ears and over neck. He also wears a channaveera. The legs are shown in marching / walking position.

In the front mandapam, these two Hero stone painting was drawn. In that the heroes are on both sides of a Shiva Linga and a Vinayagar sannidhi.  Since the original temple was dedicated to “kanakarai Selvi” a Kotravai, Heroes used  sacrifice themselves in front of Kotravai to win over any battle / Wars.  These Hero stones may also be connected to such wars. The Painting may also signifies that self sacrifice in the form of Navakandam given at this temple.   

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The Hero stones with Vinayaka and Lord Shiva Paintings on the Mukha Mandapam wall 

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---