Hero Stones at Purisai, Thiruvannamalai District and Anumanthandalam in Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to these Hero Stones at Purisai and Anumanthandalam was a part of Shiva and Vishnu Temples, Sculptures like Kotravai, Jyeshta Devi at Purisai, Kilkolathur, Salukkai and Anumanthandalam on 2^nd January 2022. I extend my sincere thanks to Mr. Babu Mano, Mr. Manoj  L Chakravarthy, Mrs. Ruth, சுகுமார் அருள், and the members of “தொண்டை மண்டல வரலாற்று ஆய்வு சங்கம்” for taking me to all these Temples and Heritage sites. 

HERO STONES AT PURISAI.

There are two Hero Stones installed at the entrance of Sri Ellai Amman Temple at Purisai. Of these two Hero stones, one is smaller and the other one is a little bigger.

In the smaller hero Stone, the hero is in three bhanga standing posture looking straight. He is holding a sword in the right hand and a shield in the left hand. Legs are shown as the hero is marching forward on the left side. A Dress is shown below his waist. He is wearing ornaments on the neck and ears.  The dress is shown below his waist. A Vijayanagara-style tuft is shown on his head. The hero may be a warrior.

In the bigger hero stone, the hero is in a three-bhanga standing posture. He is holding a sword in his right hand and a bow in his left hand. Legs are shown as the hero is marching forward on the left side. A Dress is shown below his waist. He is wearing ornaments on the neck and ears. A Vijayanagara-style tuft is shown on his head. The Hero may be killed during a war or in the process of saving his cattle ( Anirai meetal ). 

Both the hero stones may belong to the 16^th to 17^th Century.   

LOCATION OF THE HERO STONE: CLICK HERE

HERO STONE AT ANUMANTHANDALAM

This hero stone is installed in the midst of this Village. The Hero is shown in three bhanga standing postures holding a Sword in the left hand and a shield in the right hand. The sword looks similar to Gangar period Swords. A Straight tuft is shown on his head and wearing ornaments on his neck and ears. His legs are shown such that he is marching in the right direction. Also from holding the sword, we may presume that the Hero is a left-hander. He might have died in a war.

This hero stone belongs to the Gangar period 08^th – 09^th Century CE.

LOCATION OF THE HERO STONE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---