Arikanda / Navakanda Hero Stone at Sri Selli Amman Temple, Keelaiyur, Ariyalur District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Hero Stone installed in front of a Selli Amman Temple at Keelaiyur, in Ariyalur District, was a part of the “Perambalur & Ariyalur Districts Heritage Walk” organized by Aatrupadai - ஆற்றுப்படை – A Tours and Heritage group on 4^th and 5^th November 2023. The Selli Amman temple might have been big with mandapas during Pazhuvettaraiya's period. But now the temple is only with the sanctum sanctorum without the vimanam. The mandapam pillars and the vimana kalasa are scattered around the temple. 

 

An Arikanda Hero Stone / Veerakallu is installed in front of this Selli Amman Temple. Usually, Hero stones are installed in front of Amman temples like Selli Amman, Kotravai, and Kali Temples for the Heroes who sacrificed their lives, for some specific purpose. The purpose may be for the well-being of a King/leader, to win a war, to get cured of incurable deceases for himself or his loved ones, etc. These hero stones are erected mostly by his blood relatives, like his brother, father, son, etc. This Hero stone is worshipped as "Savankaruppu" by the Locals.

The Hero stone is about 3 feet tall above the Ground. The Hero is in a kneeled posture, holding a sword in the right hand, and the left hand is firmly holding the neatly tied tuft. His right leg knee is touching the ground, and the foot is u,p touching the hip. He is wearing ornaments on his elongated earlobes, neck, and hands. He is wearing a half dress below his waist and a kattar is tied around his hip.

Since this Hero stone is without inscription, the exact reason for giving the Arikandam is not known. This Hero stone may belong to the Pazhuvettaraiyar period due to the following reasons. This place is very close to Pazhuvettaraiyar’s Capital City, the iconography and Navakanda/Arikandam (usually done by the soldiers), etc.

LOCATION OF THE HERO STONE: CLICK HERE

 

may be kalasam of Selli Amman Temple Vimanam

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---