Hero Stone / Thoonguthalai Hero Stones / Veerakallu, Thondamanadu, Srikalahasti, Andhra Pradesh.

The Visit to these Thoonguthalai Hero Stones, near Sri Thondala Swamy Shiva Temple, at Thondamanadu was a part of “Shiva and Vishnu temple and This hero Stones Visit”, near Srikalahasti on 07^th July 2024.

The Group of Hero stones consists of 4 Nos of Thoonguthalai Heroes stones, and a Durgai idol. All the Thoonguthalai Hero stones are under worship.

These Thoonguthalai Hero stones belong to the 10^th to 11^th Century. In this type of sacrifice, the heroes used to tie their heads with a bamboo stick. As soon as the head is cut the head will be lifted, due to the natural straightening of the bamboo stick.

In, the 4 Thoonguthalai Hero stones, the Heroes are in sitting posture with their tufts tied to the bamboo stick. All are wearing ornaments on their neck and padra kundalam in their ears. Two Heroes are cutting their heads with a sword holding in their right hand and the other two are holding the sword in both hands. In one of the Thoonguthalai Hero Stones, a gap is observed between the head and body.

In the Thoonguthalai Hero Stones Group, one of the Hero stones has an 11^th to 12th-century inscription. The inscription records the name of the person as Gopalan from Govindapadi. The actual reason for the Thoonguthalai sacrifice is not known. The inscription reads as…

1. ஸ்வ(ஸ்தி)ஸ்ரீ கோ

2. விந்தபாடி கை

3. க்கோளந்

4. கோபாலந்

The hero stone, given below is erected a little away from the Thoonguthalai Hero Stone Group. In this, the hero is in standing posture with a sword in the right hand. A Kattar is tied to his hip and wears ornaments. Since the hero is holding a sword in the right hand and a shield in the left hand, the hero might have died in a war. An Inscription is found on the top of this hero stone and is not legible to read. This Hero stone is also under worship.

HOW TO REACH

These Hero stones are near Sri Thondala Swamy Temple at Thondamanadu, about 4 KM from Srikalahasti – Tirupati Road, 9.5 KM from Srikalahasti Shiva Temple, and 38 KM from Tirupati.

Nearest Railway Station is Srikalahasti.

Share autos and Autos are available from Srikalahasti.

LOCATION OF THE HERO STONES: CLICK HERE

Durga

?... 

An Amman Temple. 

Donor in Anjali hastam

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

NOTE: 

PC: Thanks to Oil Kappu Hero Stone Photos by Mr Sivasankar