VELUDHARAN TEMPLES VISIT : சமநிலை பாறைகள் / Balancing rocks, அப்புக்கல் / Appukal, Vellore District, Tamil Nadu.

Wednesday 7 June 2023

சமநிலை பாறைகள் / Balancing rocks, அப்புக்கல் / Appukal, Vellore District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this balancing rocks was a part of Gajaprishta Vimana Temple of Thondai Nadu Visit on 04^th 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.