Dolmen / Muthumakkal Thazhi / Vasalurpatti, Kolli Hills / Kollimalai, Namakkal District, Tamil Nadu.

The Visit to this Heritage Site with Dolmen also known as Muthumakkal Thazhi was a part of Kolli Hills Heritage walk  - “வல்வில் ஒரி தேச மரபு நடை...” organised by எண்திசை வரலாற்று மரபுநடை குழு, on 20^th and 21^st May 2023. Thanks to Mr AT Mohan to take us to these Heritage sites. 

This Dolmen is identified as “Muthumakkal Thazhi” by the local people, since a Thazhi made of mud was found inside this dolmen. The mud pot in which the deceased was buried, is called as Muthumakkal Thazhi. This may be a primary burial or a Secondary burial. The Dolmen was constructed with 4 slab stones in anti-swastika formation and covered with a cap stone weighing around a ton. The east side slab has a rectangular hole, against the usual, round hole. It is believed that the spirit of the deceased will go out and come back through this hole.

LOCATION OF THE DOLMEN         : CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Sri Matheswaran Kovil, / Mathaiyan Samadhi / Pallipadai Temple, Avinashi and Mathaiyan Temple ( Shiva Temple / Vinayagar Temple ), Semba Gounden Palayam, Tiruppur District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Matheswaran Kovil ( believed to be of a Pallipadai temple at Avinashi ) and Mathaiyan Temple at Semba Gounden Palayam, was a part of Heritage visit to the temples, heritage sites and Hero stones from Vijayamangalam to Avinashi, on 07^th August 2021. This two temple’s details are written in a single post, since both has the connection with Mathaiyan.

 

Mathaiyan Temple ( Shiva Temple / Vinayagar Temple ), Semba Gounden Palayam

This temple was originally dedicated to Lord Shiva and now a Vinayagar is installed inside the sanctum sanctorum.  Two Nagars are at the entrance of Sanctum Sanctorum. A balipeedam and a Nandi are in the open Mukha mandapam. A bas-relief of a Man worshiping /Anjali hastam, is on one of the Mukha mandapam pillar. It is believed that the Bas-relief is the “Mathaiyan” who built this temple.

It was told that, Originally the temple was dedicated to Lord Shiva, but latter the same was converted in to a Vinayagar temple.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

A Sword on his left - Believed to be Mathaiyan

Believed to be Mathaiyan at the Centre  

Sri Matheswaran Kovil, / Mathaiyan Samadhi / Pallipadai Temple,  Avinashi.

This is a small temple on the west side of the main road from Avinashi to Kunnathur. This temple is only with Sanctum sanctorum with a small room in front. A Shiva Linga and 3 stones are installed in the sanctum sanctorum. A Vinayagar is in the front room / mandapam. A Nandi is also in the sanctum. Stucco Dwarapalakas are in Police dress.  A nagara style Vimana with a Thulasi madam is on the top of the Vimana as Kalasam.  Also there is a stucco Nandi, whose face is turned on the back side of the temple.

Considering the Name of Lord Shiva, Police Dwarapalakas and the thulasi madam on the top of the Vimana, experts are of the opinion that this temple may be a  Pallipadai Temple of “Mathaiyan”.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

As per Kinathukadavu Cheppedu, Mathaiyan as Kurikara Mathaiyan- குறிக்கார மாதய்யன் ( குறிக்கார – a member of the Village Sabha )  was an official  to Mysore King Krishnaraja wodeyar ( 1761 CE, 1734 - 1766 CE ). He was looking after the Tax collections, ( அட்டவணை – Land Taxes, கந்தாசாரம் ( கந்தாயம்), சுங்கம் - Toll, பேரம் ). It was told that he holds the office for about 40 years. As per the Historians, this Shiva Temple was constructed by him. The Details of his pallipadai temple / Samadhi Temple was constructed by his descendants are written above.  

The Cheppedu records the grant of Taxes ( Kandayam – கந்தாயம் ), from Kattampatti to the temple of Ponmalai Velayudha Swamy  by Kinathukadavu by the King’s agent Kurikara Mathaiyan. 

As per Pulavar Rasu and Amudan ( 1800 CE Kongu Nadu ) Mathaiyan was called as Kurikaran and a small King ruled from Coimbatore under Mysore King during 1750 - 60 CE. As per the book he was a Brahmin. He also built a Palace called "Mathe Raja Mahal" on Raja Street of Coimbatore. Latter Hyder Ali Used to stay in the Palace. 

As per Kongu satakam Kongu Mandalam comprises of 24 sub divisions called Nadus. "Arai Nadu" is one of the 24 Nadu's. This Arainadu had 35 Villages of which one Village was called as "Mathaiyur". Some Historians are of the opinion that this Mathaiyur may be named after "Mathaiyan". The Satakam goes like this...

ஆறைநாடு

சேவைநகர் அன்னியூர் வெள்ளாதி கோமங்கை

                    திசைபுகழ வாழ்முடுதுறை

தென்கவசை துடியலூர் நீல நகர் பேரையொடு

                    தெக்கலூர்கரை மாதையூர்

மேவுபுகழ் அவிநாசி கஞ்சைகா னூர்கரவை

                    வெண்பதியும் இருகாலூரும்

விரைசேரும் உழலையொடு வடதிசையில் உறுகின்ற

                    வெள்ளையம் பாடிநகரும்

நாவலர்க்கு இனிதான திருமுருகன் பூண்டியொடு

                    நலசெவளை பழனைநகரும்

நம்பியூ ரோடெலத் தூருக்கிரம் புலவர்

                    நகரமுடன் இனிமையான

கோவில்நகர் தொண்டைமான் புத்தூரு முட்டமே

                    கூடலூர் சிங்கநகரும்

குடக்கோட்டூர் குள்ளந் துறைப்பதியு  வாள்வந்தி

                    கோட்டைக்கரை ஆறு நாடே 

LOCATION OF THIS PALLIPADAI TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Dolmens, Koil Houses, Hero Stones, Veerakallu / நடுகற்கள் /வீரகல்லு, at Melur, Nilgiris of Kongu Nadu, Tamil Nadu.

It was a long wish to see the Hero stones of Melur in Nilgiris District after came through Mr Kumaravel. Came to know that there are about 15 Hero stones with Dolmens. Most of the hero stones are housed in “Koil Houses”. In that the Hero stones are erected either on the back or on all there side and top will be covered with stone slabs. Hence these Dolmens may be of Koil Houses and experts are requested to comment on this.

Almost all the hero stones are sati stones. Out of 15 Hero stones 2 Hero / sati stones are seems to be interesting and the rest are of very crude finish. These two hero stones are little different from the Hero / sati stones with 3 tier / 4 tier found at Thalavadi and Mysore regions. In this the heroic action, sati and other details are shown keeping the Hero at the centre and the rest are around him without segregation. 

PULIKUTHI HERO STONE - 1

In this the hero is holding a long spear and pointing the Tiger. Hero is wearing ornaments on the neck and ears. The ears are shown as elongated. Moustache is not shown to the hero. The hero wears a half dress below his hip and a kattar is tied to the hip. The hero’s tuft or the hair style is the speciality of this Hero stone. This Hero is shown at the centre. On the right A male and Female is shown. This signifies that the hero’s wife might have took sati. On the left, a Horse and  a Man with an women are shown. In addition to there is a boy shown  with a different type of Legs. On the top three persons are shown in sitting posture.

PULIKUTHI HERO STONE - 2

This is an another Hero stone similar to the above. In this the hero with a big moustache is shown in centre Killing a Tiger with a spear. On his left top the hero’s wife, who took sati after the hero’s death is shown. The Hero’s wife is shown with right hand raised holding a lemon similar to the sati stones found at Thalavadi and Mysore regions. The Hero wears ornaments and the half dress is shown neatly with decorations. The hero’s tuft and the Moustache reminds the Nayakas style.  

On his right two men are shown, in that one man is holding a bow with arrow. On the top Sun and moon are also shown. Base on the style inscriptions this hero stone belongs to 17^th to 18^th century.

One of the Koil House was white washed. It was learnt from the nearby Shiva temple care taker, every year pooja will be conducted at Shiva temple. During that time, pooja will be conducted at this Koil House first and then taken to Shiva temple.

LOCATION OF THE HERO STONES:  CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---