Battle of Pullalur, The Mysore war monuments, Oblelisks of Pullalur, Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu

While I was searching the Aalayam Kanden web site, understand that Mrs PadmaPriya Baskaran is organizing a one day trip to Thakkolam ( click here ), Melpadi, Pullalur and Thiruvalam on 9^th August 2015 for Ponniyin Selvan Group ( Click here  Click Here ). Even-though I had been earlier to Thakkolam and Thiruvalam temples as a part of pilgrimage yatra to cover 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalangal ( for details CLICK HERE ) thought of doing once again with a group of heritage enthusiasts.. 

 

PULLALUR OR POLLILUR.

The place Pullalur area had witnessed may wars of which the wars otherwise called as Mysore wars between Britishers and Hyder Ali & Tippu Sultan are important. Another important one is the war between Pulikesi –II and  Pallavas. This place is also referred in a historical novel written by Kalki’s Sivagamiyin Sabatham. The Monuments 2 obelisks were erected in midst of paddy fields by the Britishers.

 

The first war  was in AD 1780, in which Hyder Ali / Tippu sultan captured Colonal Willam Baillie and taken to Mysore and kept in a dungeon. The obelisk dedicated to Lieutenant Colonel George Brown. The two obelisks, Mysore war monuments are erected by British.

 

 The Mysore war monuments erected by English  – two obelisks 

Sacred to the Memory of Lieutenant Colonel George Brown

When Lieutenant of Grenadiers in ??? Regiment

he lost his Right Arm

On the storm of Conjevearam Pagoda occupied by Ye French

on the 18th of Apri ????

and fell

in a general Action fought on this Field between the English

Forces and the Troops of Hyder Ally??? Bahaduer

on the 27th of August 1781

esteemed by every Rank

a gallant Soldier,

an able Officer,

and ???? ??? an Honest

Man ???

 

In the second war on 27th August 1781, led by Sir Eyre Coote defeated Hyder and Tippu.  In both wars English solders suffered may causalities. The first Obelisks erected at Pullalur was in memory of Colonel George Brown who lost his right arm and the second obelisk was in memory of Captain James Hislop who lost his life.  second obelisk was in memory of Captain James Hislop who lost his life.

  

second obelisk was in memory of Captain James Hislop who lost his life.  

 Sacred to the memory of Captain James Hislop

who was killed by a Cannon Ball
from the Enemy near this Spot,
The Field of Battle,
27th August 1781
while serving as Aid de Camp to
Lieut. General Sir Eyre Coote kbe
Commander in Chief
------------------
His professional Abilities
and private Virtues,
Were felt and acknowledged by all his
Contemporaries.

Mr Anwar explains the sequence of war with the location map.  For further reading Please:  CLICK HERE     CLICK HERE 

LOCATION OF THIS MONUMENT : CLICK HERE

I extend my sincere thanks to Mrs Padmapriya Baskaran, Mr Venkatesh Ramakrishnan, Mr Vaidyanathan Ramamurthy and other organizers, for organizing such a wonderful one day trip. 

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sumai thangi, Kempanaickenpalayam / K N Palayam, Erode District, Tamil Nadu.

The Visit to the Sumai Thangi was a part of “Hero Stones and Megalithic Monuments Visit in and around Gundri”, in Erode District on 29^th August 2022. This sort of Sumai thangis are installed on the road side, is in memory of pregnant ladies who lost their lives during delivery. This sumai Thangis are installed till 70s to 80s. When the transport was not available, people used carry goods purchased from the market as head loads. They unload the goods on these sumai thangis and take rest.

 

This Sumai thangi was installed in beginning of 20^th Century. As per the inscriptions this sumai thangi was installed Kasi… Chettiar’s son Venkitarama Chettiar. The reason for erecting this is not known. Chakra and Conch are engraved on the top and Sun and Moon are engraved on the bottom. This means that this endowment should continue till Sun and Moon Exists.

The original Inscription reads as…

1. …. …………  … வருடம்
2. ….. பங்குணி மாதம்
3. 18 தேதி கெம்ப
4. நெயக்கம்பா
5. ளையம் காசிப
6. த செட்டியார்
7. குமாரன் வெ
8. ங்கிட்டராம
9. செட்டியார்
10. ரால் போட
11. ப்பட்டது

LOCATION OF THE HERITAGE MONUMENT : CLICK HERE

GPS Co-ordinates:  11°31'55.8"N 77°18'03.6"E

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Anjaneyar Temple, On the way to Gundri from Kadambur, in Erode District, Tamil Nadu.

The Visit to the Anjaneyar Temple was a part of “Hero Stones and Megalithic Monuments Visit in and around Gundri”,  in Erode District on 29^th August 2022.

Deity : Sri Anjaneyar

The Anjaneyar is in the form of bas-relief, chiseled on a boulder. The style of Anjaneyar bas-relief looked like Vyasarajar created on many places. The Anjaneyar is looking on the right side and his tail is bent over his head. A bell is tied on the tail. Anjaneya is holding a gatha in his right hand and a neelothpala flower in the left hand. Lot of Trishul  and curved sickles are kept as an offer to Anjaneyar. The Anjaneyar is under worship.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE          :     CLICK HERE

GPS Co-ordinates: 

 

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Megalithic Monuments, Cairn Circles, Gundri, Erode District, Tamil Nadu.

The Visit to this Megalithic Monuments at Gundri was a part of “Hero Stones and Megalithic Monuments Visit in and around Gundri”, in Erode District, on 29^th August 2022. This megalithic site is not figured in ASI or Tamil Nadu archaeological Department’s list, under protected monument. It was told that more than 70 Cairn circles are found few years before, but most of them are disturbed and converted in to cultivation lands. The stones are dumped as bunds for the fields. The Cairn Circles and the stone tools unearthed in the Village shows that human settlement in this area more than 8000 years before.

 

This megalithic monument consists of Cairn circles in various diameters with Cist at the center. The cist is at the center of the Cairn circle and longer side is on North – South Direction.

  

Cist at the center

LOCATION OF THE MONUMENT    : CLICK HERE

GPS Co-ordinates:  11°39'00.0"N 77°24'46.8"E

Cist side stone slabs are dumped on bunds

A Tree House

Me on the top

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Jeda Samy Temple, Gundri, Erode District, Tamil Nadu.

The Visit to this Jada Samy Temple at Gundri was a part of “Hero Stones and Megalithic Monuments Visit in and around Gundri”, in Erode District, on 29^th August 2022.

Under worship

On the way to Eppalur, Gundri Hero Stone, happened to see this irregular shaped stones kept on a platform worshiped by the Locals as Jada Samy. The irregular shapes are like Rishabam, Vinayagar, Shiva Lingam etc,. As per Eerannan, who took us to this place told that, annual pooja will be conducted on the next day of Thai Pongal. The Cattle will be brought to this place and Poojas will be conducted.

As per the experts that this irregular shape was formed while sharpening the stone tools, by the stone age people. 

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE          : CLICK HERE

GPS Co-ordinates: 11°40'58.8"N 77°24'36.0"E

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Sri Gethikai Eswarar Temple, Vazhaimarathur, Gundri, Erode District, Tamil Nadu.

The Visit to this Sri Gethikai Eswarar Temple at Vazhamarathur, Gundri was a part of “Hero Stones and Megalithic Monuments Visit in and around Gundri”, in Erode District, on 29^th August 2022.

Moolavar  : Sri Gethikai Eswarar

HISTORY

As per Chinnaiyan, who takes care of this temple, the Shiva Lingam, Nagars, some peculiar shaped stones and some Neolithic period stone tools / stone hammers are unearthed from the field. The Shiva Lingam also in the shape of a Neolithic period stone tool. He tried to built a temple and the work was abandoned after the base, due to lack of fund. 

The Shiva Lingam is kept inside room of his house considering as a Sanctum Sanctorum.  Further Chinnaiyan told that Lord Shiva came in his dream to construct a Temple. It is to be noted that Chinnaiyan belongs to Lingayat Cult of Shiva Worship. 

 

Experts believed that the Shiva Lingam and Stone tools belonged to Neolithic period. The irregular shaped stones are used by the Neolithic period people to sharpen the tools.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE          : CLICK HERE

GPS Co-ordinates:  11°40'46.4"N 77°24'50.4"E

The Shiva Lingam

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Arikandam Hero Stone, Roland Nagar, Gundri, Erode District, Tamil Nadu.

The Visit to this Hero Stone at Roland Nagar, Gundri  was a part of “Hero Stones and Megalithic Monuments Visit in and around Gundri”, in Erode District, on 29^th August 2022.

This Hero Stone is little different from the other Hero Stones available at Gundri. This Hero stone is of 3 tiers and broken on the left side. In the Lower level, two persons are shown. May be he Hero and his wife. On the right side the “Hero” is shown without head, The hero is holding the head in the right hand and left hand is on his hip. The head is shown little away from the neck. How the head was cut and the reason for cutting is not known.

In the second tier, two Deva kannis are shown on both sides of the hero. This signifies that Deva Kannis are taking the hero to Shiva Loga.

In the third tier the hero is worshiping a Shiva Lingam.

Since this hero stone is highly eroded, the details could not be identified. At one angle the Hero also looks like a anthropomorphic figure.  The Hero stone measures 50 CM in width and 1 meter in height.  

LOCATION OF THE HERO STONE         : CLICK HERE

GPS Co-ordinates:  11°39'25.7"N 77°23'52.1"E

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Hero Stones, Puthu Thotti, Eppalur Shetveethi, Gujjampalayam, Gundri, Erode District, Tamil Nadu.

The Visit to this Hero Stones at Puthu Thotti, Eppalur Shetveethi, Gujjampalayam, was a part of “Hero Stones and Megalithic Monuments Visit in and around Gundri”, in Erode District, on 29^th August 2022.

Hero Stones at Puthu Thotti, Gundri

There are 5 Pulikuthi Hero Stones at Puthu Thotti, of which one is lying flat on the ground. Out of 5 Pulikuthi Hero Stones, three Hero stones are Sati Stones. In one of the hero Stone both husband and wife are taken to Shiv Loka by the Deva Kannis. The hero is doing pooja to Shiva Lingam is on the top tier. Looking at the style of tuft this hero stone may belongs to 16^th to 17^th Century.

LOCATION OF THE HERO STONES       : CLICK HERE

GPS Co-ordinates: 11°40'58.8"N 77°24'36.0"E

Hero Stone, Eppalur Shetveethi, Gundri

This hero stone is also a Pulikuthi Hero Stones of 3 tiers. This is installed in the midst of the forest after the channel dug to avoid Elephants entry in to the Village. The hero is killing the Tiger with weapons / kattars on both hands is shown on the bottom tier. In the middle tier the hero is taken to Shiva Lok by the two Deva Kannis. On the top tier the Hero is worshiping a Shiva Lingam. A Rishabam is shown on the right side. Looking at the style of tuft this hero stone may belongs to 16^th to 17^th Century.

LOCATION OF THE HERO STONE         : CLICK HERE

GPS Co-ordinates:  11°40'58.8"N 77°24'50.4"E

Hero Stone, Gujjampalayam, Gundri 

This hero stone is also a Pulikuthi Hero Stones of 3 tiers. This is installed in the midst of the field. Only 50% of the bottom tier is visible above the ground. The heads of hero and the Tiger are seen. In the second tier the hero is taken to Shiva Lok by the two Deva Kannis. On the top tier the Hero is worshiping a Shiva Lingam. A Rishabam is shown on the left side. Looking at the style of tuft this hero stone may belongs to 16^th to 17^th Century.

LOCATION OF THE HERO STONE         : CLICK HERE

GPS Co-ordinates:  11°40'33.6"N 77°24'36.0"E

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---