The
visit to this balancing rocks was a part of Gajaprishta Vimana Temple of
Thondai Nadu Visit on 04th June 2023. Had been to this place Appukal
after visiting Sri Kailasanathar Shiva temple at Ananthapuram. This naturally
formed balancing rock is at Appukal Village in Vellore region. The Village Appukal
has both Archaeological and Geological values. Thanks to Mr Sugumar Arul for
taking me to this Historical place and The incredible Vellore Facebook friends.
Archaeological
significance... This place Appukal was known for
human settlement since Neolithic period. In 1977-79, Archaeological Department
Team, under the leadership of Prof K V Ramanan, discovered the remains of red
and black clay pots and ash mounts belonging to Neolithic age. Megalithic period burial sites like Dolmens are
also discovered, but most of them are destroyed due to indiscriminate
quarrying.
In
1989, during blasting for stone quarrying, Copper swords found hidden
between the boulders. The swords are estimated to be of 2100 years old. The
same was identified by Mr Asraf Ali, a Historian from Vellore along with Vellore
Museum Curator Mr Gandhi.
The brass swords PC : Incridble Vellore
During
recent years, the Villagers protested the quarrying and the same was stopped. A
Small Shiva temple was constructed on the top of the hill and power connection
from TNEB was also obtained. Efforts are on to lay a path around the hill to
carry out the Girivalam on Pournami / full moon Days.
Shiva Temple built during recent years
Geological
Significance.... The Hill has two balancing
rocks and boulders stacked one on the another.
In the first balancing rock spot, the sharp edge protrudes
out distinctively with its centre sits
of the on the bottom rock. These rocks are called the balancing rocks or
precariously hanging rock boulders which are naturally occurring geological
formations wherein a large rock rests on other rocks, bedrock with some
formations though appear like hanging from a narrow base rock are in fact firmly
attached to the base rock by a pedestal or stem. This rock formation appears like a bird and a baby
alligator from specific angles. This balancing rock is compared to
that one in Zimbabwe.
A Close up view of the top rock contact with the bottom rock
Stalked rocks are on the right
Another view of the balancing rock
Another view of the balancing rock
stalked rocks one on the another
HOW TO REACH
The
Place balancing rock is about 750 meters from the Village.
This
place Appukal is about 6 KM from Tarveli, 13 KM from Narasingapuram, 29 KM from
Vellore and 164 KM from Chennai.
Nearest
railway station is Vellore.
LOCATION OF THE
BALANCING ROCK : CLICK HERE
Shiva Temple built during recent years
Mr Sugumar Arul with the author of this article
---
OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
Above the balancing Rocks my village side
ReplyDeleteThanks for the information Sir...
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