Krishnagiri District

PLACE	DESCRIPTION
Penneswaramadam	Penneswaramadam Shiva Temple
Thatrahalli	Sulakkal - A boundary stone

Rock Arts of Krishnagiri in Rock Shelters, Gevi Gundu, Karadi Kudda - Kudaikal and Bellarapalli near Krishnagiri Dam, Krishnagiri District, Tamil Nadu.

24^th & 25^th August 2019.

The two-day visit was mainly focused on Rock art in the natural caves/shelters around Kaveripattinam and Krishnagiri. During our visit, we visited 9 natural shelters/hills, where red and white ocher are found. Unlike the Kilvalai, Alambadi, Sttavarai, and Neghanur (Neganur) Patti near Villupuram on the banks of the river Then Pennai,  these shelters are natural caves formed by the rocks and part of the hills. The presence of white and red ochre rock art indicates that these shelters are  used continuously, and the red ochre is considered to be more than 10 thousand years old.  Some of the shelters are spacious, and some are very small. These shelters are facing an open area so that the movements of animals and other groups can be watched. A very important point is that the shelter will be close to water sources with easy access.

The artists record the animals that they have seen (like horses, tigers), birds, reptiles like snakes, and scorpions, celebrations (rhythmic dancing), hunting of animals, fighting between the groups, cultural activities, sun, Lamps (Pandil lamps), patterns, symbols, designs, etc. Since the caves/shelters are used continuously, the rock art may belong to different periods.

GEVI GUNDU ROCK ARTS

This shelter is about 30 feet from the ground level, and all three sides can be seen from the shelter. The protruding rock (like a dinosaur's head with a mouth) forms the shelter. The rock arts are drawn on the side of the rock.  The rock art consists of 8-angle stars, Suryan, Chandran, a Pandil lamp, a hunter hunting an animal, a fertility symbol, and a Chariot. A man is standing at the center of the chariot. This indicates that the pulling of the chariot existed 5000 years ago.

KARADI KUDDA – KUDAIKAL ROCK ARTS.

This shelter is very near the Krishnagiri Dam. Since the shelter is in the form of an umbrella, this shelter is called Kudaikal. The approach is a little difficult. The above Kudaikal shelter rock art group consists of Pandil lamps, Damru-like fertility symbols, stars, and different shapes of square & rectangular, chariot-like shapes. No human figures or animals are seen in this rock art group.

Here too, the sad part is the scribbling of names on the rock arts, miscreants.

BELLARAPALLI – 1, NEAR KRISHNAGIRI DAM.

On the west side of the dam, we saw rock art on two small hills. On the 1^st hill, the shelter is very small, and we have to crawl inside. It can accommodate only two to three people. The white ochre rock art consists of a scorpion with a man and 3 fertility symbols. The Scorpion is very big compared to a man.

BELLARAPALLI – 2, NEAR KRISHNAGIRI DAM.

This shelter is about 20 to 30 feet from the ground level. The space is a little larger than the 1^st one. The roof and side of the shelter have white ochre rock art. The rock art group consists of  some fertility symbols, a man, and a scorpion. The man’s face is facing to his right side.

The sad part of this site is the scribbling of names on the rock arts and miscreants. Some people had cooked in this place, and smoke also deposited on the rooftop.

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Rock Arts of Krishnagiri in Rock Shelters, Jagathab and Elumichanahalli, Krishnagiri District, Tamil Nadu.

24^th & 25^th August 2019.

The two-day visit was mainly focused on Rock art in the natural caves/shelters around Kaveripattinam and Krishnagiri. During our visit, we visited 9 natural shelter hills, where red and white ocher are found. Unlike the Kilvali, Alambadi, Settavarai, and Nehanur Patti (Neganur Patti) near Villupuram on the banks of the river Thenpennai, these shelters are natural caves formed by the rocks and part of the hills. The presence of white and red ochre rock art indicates that these shelters are used continuously, and the red ochre is considered to be more than 10 thousand years old.  Some of the shelters are spacious, and some are very small. These shelters are facing an open area so that the movements of animals and other groups can be watched. A very important point is that the shelter will be close to water sources with easy access.

The artists record the animals that they see (like horses and tigers), birds, reptiles like snakes, and scorpions, celebrations  (rhythmic dancing), hunting of animals, fighting between the groups, cultural activities, sun, Lamps (Pandil lamps), patterns, symbols, designs, etc. Since the caves/shelters are used continuously, the rock art may belong to different periods.

JAGATHAB ROCK ARTS

This shelter is almost on the plains. About 20 feet in length white ochre painting is found. This rock art consists of rhythmic dancing of males and females in two groups. Also, there are many square patterns drawn. Experts believe that this may be cattle pounds. In another group, three pairs of men are fighting with each other. Some damru-like symbols, the Sun with rays (eyes- Mouth), and some fertile symbols are also drawn. Some of the men's and women’s faces are drawn sideways.

Mr. Gandhirajan, an expert, believes that these rock arts are special since the images are realistic with abstract designs and decorative motifs.  

The sad part of this shelter with rock art is on the verge of extinction due to granite quarrying. Since the shelter is on the plains and easily reachable, miscreants had laid their hands in scribbling, drawing new art, their names, etc. Request visitors not to ruin the prehistoric rock arts, and the Government/Archaeological Department to protect the same.

  A rhythmic dance by women 

 A rhythmic dance by men 

 A fighting rock art

ELUMICHANAHALLI ROCK ARTS

This shelter is almost on the plains and narrow in width. On the walls, white ochre rock paintings are found. The Rock art contains a man with a tiger, a Snake with a hood (Cobra), A man riding on a horse, A man with a stick, and some designs. 

A man with a tiger 

A Horse rider 

 A man with a sword and a snake 

  ---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Rock Arts of Krishnagiri in Rock Shelters, Balamanery, Pannayamuttu Gundu, Krishnagiri Industrial area, Krishnagiri District, Tamil Nadu.

24^th & 25^th August 2019.

The two-day visit was mainly focused on Rock art in the natural caves/shelters around Kaveripattinam and Krishnagiri. During our visit, we visited 9 natural shelters/hills, where red and white ocher are found. Unlike the Kilvali, Alambadi, Settavarai, and Nehanur Patti (Neganur Patti) near Villupuram on the banks of the river Thenpennai,  these shelters are natural caves formed by the rocks and part of the hills. The presence of white and red ochre rock art indicates that these shelters have been used continuously, and the red ochre is considered to be more than 10 thousand years old. Some of the shelters are spacious, and some are very small. These shelters are facing an open area so that the movements of animals and other groups can be watched. A very important point is that the shelter will be close to water sources with easy access.

The artists record the animals that they see (like Horses and tigers), birds, reptiles like snakes, and scorpions, celebrations (rhythmic dancing), hunting of animals, fights between the groups, cultural activities, sun, Lamps (Pandil lamps), patterns, symbols, designs, etc. Since the caves/shelters are used continuously, the rock art may belong to different periods.

BALAMANERY – PANNAYAMUTTU GUNDU

The shelter is about 25 to 30 feet from the ground level and has a little passage to climb up. The rock art consists of two Horse riders with a leading man, a Horse with a man, Birds, cock, a Peacock, chasing animals, and some designs. A white ochre painting (a mixture of white and red) depicts an animal that may be a tiger, drawn looking from the top angle, and a knife-like weapon is shown pierced through the body. In addition to this, red ochre paintings are visible faintly in places of the shelter.

 A chasing animal rock art

 A top view of an animal may be a tiger

A red ochre rock art

KRISHNAGIRI INDUSTRIAL ESTATE (NEAR)

This shelter is almost on the plains. About 20 feet in length strip-like pattern of about 6 inches was drawn in red ochre. In the pattern, we could see men and women in various postures, maybe dancing postures. The painting is faintly visible.

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Menhirs at Jagathab, Guddapatti Mandu, near Kaveripattinam, Krishnagiri District, Tamil Nadu.

25^th August 2019.

The visit to these menhirs is part of the Kaveripattinam Heritage Visit. Even though the two-day visit was focused on Rock art in the natural caves around Kaveripattinam and Krishnagiri, we came across menhirs at Jagathab and Guddapatti. These menhirs  usually have Cairn circles (irregular or globe-shaped stones) around them. These menhirs are more than 2500 years old and were erected close to the prehistoric people buried. The size and height of the stone depend on the social status of the person buried.

JAGATHAB MENHIR.

This menhir is found on a lake bed (Lake may be man-made). The menhir is 10 feet high and 4 feet wide at the base and conical in shape. The Cairn circle is not found around the Menhir; perhaps it might have been disturbed.

GUDDAPATTI  MENHIRS.

There are 5 menhirs installed in a common place of the village, of which 3 are about 3 to 4 feet high. (Now they are used to tie the cattle). The Taller one is the oldest and is more than 2500 years old. This menhir is about 10 feet high, 2 feet wide, and about ¾ feet thick. The other tallest menhir was erected during the 20^th century. The Inscription on that says that it was erected for “Opulli Venkatappan 1938”. This indicates that the practice of erecting menhirs for the dead has continued in recent years, too.

   2500 years old menhir 

20th-century Menhirs

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Hero Stone / Sati Stones / Nadukarkal / Veerakallu / நடுகற்கள் at Gullipatti Rifle Sati stone, Pullakovilur and Beyanapalli around Kaveripattinam, Krishnagiri District, Tamil Nadu.

24^th & 25 August 2019

A Continuation post on Krishnagiri Hero Stones Part-3

The Visit to the Hero and Sati Stone is part of the Kaveripattinam Heritage Visit. The two-day visit was mainly focused on Rock arts in the natural caves around Kaveripattinam and Krishnagiri. On the way, we came across many Menhirs, Her,o, and Sati Stones which are very unique. Some of the details are…

SATI STONE ( RIFLE NADUKAL ) AT GULLUPATTI ( TIMMAPURAM )

This sati stone belongs to the 16^th to 17^th Century, standing on the left side of the road on the way between Kaveripattinam to Krishnagiri Dam. The hero stands in tribhanga posture holding a sword in his right hand and a rifle in his left hand.  The tuft knot is also shown. The hero is looking straight and his legs are apart on his left side. A half dress with frill is shown below his waist and also wearing ornaments on his neck and ears. A kattar is tied on the right side of the waist. The hero’s wife who took is shown on his right side. She wears a saree up to the ankle. She holds a pot in her right hand and her right hand is in a raised position with the raised forefinger. She is also wearing ornaments on her neck and ears.

SATI STONE WITH STONE HOUSE ( PULLA KOVILUR – TIMMAPURAM )

This stone house with Sati stone is just a  KM from the rifle Sati stone on the west side of a Vinayagar Temple. The Sati stone was found half-buried and couldn’t get the full details. It was told that this sati stone worship was discontinued for the past few years.

HERO STONE BEYANAPALLI ( BELLARAPALLI )

This hero Stone is inside a stone house facing east. The hero is standing in a three-bangha posture looking straight and the body is turned to his left. The hero holds a long sword in his right hand and a bow in his left hand. A half dress with frill is shown below his waist. A kattar is tied on the right side of his waist. The tuft is tied with cloth and knot ends are shown on both sides of his head.  The hero is wearing ornaments on his neck and ears. The Hero stone is under worship and believed to belong to the 16^th to 17^th Century.

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Hero stone/ Sati Stones / Veerakallu / nadukarkal / நடுகற்கள் at Nedungal and Avalur around Kaveripattinam, Krishnagiri District, Tamil Nadu.

24^th & 25^th August 2019.

A continuation post on Krishnagiri Hero Stones, Part-2

The visit to the Hero and Sati Stone is part of the "Kaveripattinam Heritage Visit". The two-day visit was mainly focused on rock art in the natural caves around Kaveripattinam and Krishnagiri. On the way, we came across many Menhirs, Hero Stones, and Sati Stones, which are very unique. Penneswaramadam Navakandam, Hero, and Sati stones are covered in the previous post. The rest are covered in 3 posts.

SATI STONE AT NEDUNGAL

This 18th-century Sati stone was installed in front of an Amman temple along with a Hanuman bas-relief panel. “Nedungal War 1707” was written on the pedestal of the sati stone. The Hero died in the 1707 war, which may have happened between Vijayanagara and Muslim rulers. Nayak-style tuft is shown for the hero and his wife. The Hero holds a sword in his right hand and a bow in his left hand. Both wear dresses up to the ankle. The Hero stands in a tribhanga posture with legs apart and seems to be marching on his left side. The hero’s wife took Sati after the hero was killed in the war. She carries a pot in her right hand, and her left hand is shown in the raised position.

HERO STONE AT NEDUNGAL

About a km from Nedungal village on the way to Kaveripattinam, we saw a Hero stone in a temple-like structure. And there is an empty  mandapa near this Hero stone. This Hero stone may belong to the 16^th to 17^th century. The hero is standing in a tribhanga posture, and he marches on his right side. The hero holds a sword in his right hand and a bow in his left hand. A half dress is shown below his waist. A scabbard/sword holder is tied to his hip.  The hero stone is under worship, with a Trishul erected in front of the temple-like structure.

SATI STONE AT AVALUR NEAR KAVERIPATTINAM.

The Hero stone is on the bund of a field. The Hero is shown with a long sword on his raised right arm and a kattar in his left hand. A half dress is shown below his waist. His wife took sati after his death, as shown on the left side of the hero. She holds a pot in her left and her right hand is shown in the raised position. 

This Sati stone is about 4 feet below the ground level, with steps 

 This may be a memorial stone erected for a husband and wife with a Shiva Linga at the center

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---