Hero Stones/ Veerakallu/Sati Stones/ Pulikuthi Hero Stones/ Memorial Stones, of Kongu Mandalam, at Sarkar Periyapalayam, Tiruppur Town, Panapalayaam, Palladam and Kumarapalayam in Tiruppur and Coimbatore Districts, Tamil Nadu.

The Visit to these Hero Stones was a part of Hero Stones, Hero Sthambas also called Malakoil, Inscription Stones Visit in Tiruppur and Coimbatore Districts of “Kongu Mandalam” on 25^th July 2024. I extend my sincere thanks to Mr. Palladam Ponnuswamy of வீரராசேந்திரன் தொல்லியல் மற்றும் வரலாற்று ஆய்வு மையம் – Veerarajendran Tholliyal MaRRum VaralaRRu Ayyvu Maiyam, Tiruppur, for taking us ( Me and Mrs Sakthi Prakash ) to all these Heritage sites.

 

Sati Stone, Sarkar Periyapalayam / Sircar Periapalayam. 

During our earlier Visit to Sarkar Periyapalayam, in 2016, happened to see this Sati Stone half buried in the earth. Now this Sati Stone was taken out and installed on a platform. This Sati Stone looks different from our earlier perception. The Hero’s wife seems to be a dancer. What she is holding in her raised hands is not known. The Hero holds a sword in the right hand and a shield in the left hand. He wears a dress below his waist. Also, he wears ornaments on the ears and over the neck. From the appearance, the hero must be a soldier, for a country, or a Soldier of the Merchant Group. Since this place is on the Trade Route, the Shiva Temple also has an inscription to support this. 

LOCATION OF THE SATI STONE: CLICK HERE

Sri Sellandiamman Temple, Memorial Stone, Tiruppur.  

On the way to Tiruppur, we crossed Sri Sellandi Amman Temple ( Contact Mobile Number +919751140515 ). The Dwarapalaka and Dwarapalaki images are on both sides of the entrance to the Sanctum Sanctorum, which shows the antiquity of this temple. Due to the widening of the road, the idols are moved inside the temple and kept as loose sculptures. This Memorial stone is kept as a loose sculpture along with some other sculptures. In this memorial stone, a Couple Husband and wife are in a standing posture in Anjali hastam. The Husband and Wife may be donors of this temple and belong to the 17^th to 18^th Century CE.

LOCATION OF THE MEMORIAL STONE: CLICK HERE.

Hero stone / Veerakallu / ஸ்ரீ சொரியஅப்புச்சி திருகோவில், Panapalayam, Palladam.

This Hero Stone is worshipped as Sri Soriya Appichi at Panapalayam, a part of Palladam in Tiruppur District. This hero stone is being worshipped by Pooluva Gundars, Navithars ( barber Community ), and Vellala Gounders. Annual celebrations will be held in the month of Puratasi.

A half of the Hero stone is buried in the earth. This Hero stone was erected for Two Heroes, of which the right-side Hero is holding a sword in the right hand, and a shield in the left hand. The left-side Hero is holding a spear. As per the experts, these two Heroes might have been involved in war and died. Since the Hero stone is buried in the earth, full details, couldn’t obtained. This Hero stone may belong to the 17^th to 18^th Century.

LOCATION OF THE HERO STONE: CLICK HERE

Hero Stone, Panapalayam, Palladam,  

This Hero stone is on the side of Trichy Road ( near Weigh Bridge), at Panapalayam, a part of Palladam in Tiruppur District.  This Hero stone is also under worship.

In this hero stone, a soldier is killing another person with his sword from the back, holding the tuft in the left hand. The sword pierced through the body and came out is shown clearly.

As per the experts, this hero stone belongs to the 14^th to 15^th Century. Since this Hero Stone was installed on the ancient trade route, the soldier might have belonged to a Merchant Group called - ஆயிரவர் படைப் பிரிவு. This Hero Stone might have been erected to show the strength and braveness of the Hero and the Ayiravar Army troupe. We couldn’t get the full details of this Hero stone, and the reason for killing.

LOCATION OF THIS HERO STONE: CLICK HERE    

Hero Stone /Sati Stone, Velayuthampalayam.

This Hero Stone / Sati Stone is erected facing North. This Sati stone is worshipped as Kavundapar by the locals. The Hero stone is in the form of a bas-relief, consisting of Two males with big moustaches and Two female images, to suit the trapezoidal shape of the stone. All four have the Nayaka style tuft wears ornaments in the elongated earlobes and over the neck. The Tall Hero holds a sword in his right hand the left hand is in Kadi hastam. The central male Hero holds two swords in both hands. The Lady is holding a lotus flower in the right hand, and the left hand is kadi hastam. Most probably the lady may be the wife of the Centre Hero, who took sati after her husband’s death. In addition, a small male image and a toddy pot are also in the Hero stone panel.

LOCATION OF THE HERO STONE: CLICK HERE

Memorial Stone Temple, Sri Muthuswamy and Muthayiamman Temple, Navanari.

This Sri MuthuSwamy and Muthayiamman memorial stone is in a temple exclusively constructed. Muthuswamy is in Anjali hastam. But Muthayiamman’s right hand is in a raised position and Holding a flower ( ?). Experts believe that this memorial stone belongs to the 16^th to 17^th century CE.

LOCATION OF THE INSCRIPTION STONE: CLICK HERE 

Hero Stones / Veerakallu, Navanari.  

This group consists of Pulikuthi Hero Stone, Memorial stones, and 19th-20th Century inscription Stone.

The Pulikuthi Hero Stone is an unusual one. In this, the Hero is shown with a bow and arrow, in a shooting posture. A Tiger is also shown in a squatting position. The Hero’s tuft is shown straight and he wears ornaments in the elongated earlobes and over the neck.

As per the experts, this Hero Stone may belong to the 14^th to 15^th Century before the Vijayanagara period.

LOCATION OF THE INSCRIPTION STONE: CLICK HERE  

  

Hero Stone / Head Priest Hero Stone, Navanari. 

This Hero stone is about 100 meters away from the above group of Hero and Memorial stones, on the banks of the River - Uppar.

This Hero stone was taken for a Head Priest or a Siddha medicine practitioner / Vaithiyar. He holds a bell in his left hand and a lemon (?) in his right hand. Some other objects like also Shown. The Hero is shown with a big moustache, kundala in the elongated earlobes, and a turban on the head.

Experts believe that this Hero stone may belong to the 14^th to 15^th century.

LOCATION OF THE INSCRIPTION STONE: CLICK HERE 

Musician & Dancers Nadukal, Near S P Vadukapalayam Kuttai, Coimbatore District. 

This Nadukal is found in the Kuttai ( a small natural storage of rainwater Pond / Eri ). In this Nadukal, Two Male Musical instrument players and two ladies are in the form of bas reliefs. The ladies may be the dancers. This Nadukal may belong to the 16^th to 17^th Century.

LOCATION OF THE NADUKAL:       CLICK HERE

Pulikuthi Kal / Hero Stone/ Podarappa Goundan Temple, S Kumarapalayam, Coimbatore District, Tamil Nadu.

A separate temple was constructed for this Pulikuthi Hero Stone. The temple faces east with a Deepa sthambam on the south side. Stucco images of the hero and a Tiger are on the top of the sanctum Sanctorum. A Nagara Vimanam is on the sanctum sanctorum. The pranala is like the head of a Tiger.

The Pulikuthi Hero stone is installed in the sanctum sanctorum. The Hero is killing the Tiger with a sword / kattar in the right hand. The tiger is in a standing posture. The Hero with a big moustache wearing ornaments over the neck and elongated earlobes.

Inscription in Tamil is found on the base of the Hero Stone. As per the inscription the Hero’s name was Podarappa Goundan and he killed the Tiger. The inscription reads as …

புலிகுத்தி பொடாரப்ப கவுண்டன்

Since the Year is not mentioned, as per the experts, this Pulikuthi Hero stone may be 200 years old.

LOCATION OF THE HERO STONE: CLICK HERE.

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---