Showing posts with label Krishnagiri. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Krishnagiri. Show all posts

Wednesday 5 January 2022

Krishnagiri District

STATE/ DISTRICT

PLACE

DESCRIPTION

Krishnagiri Dist

Penneswaramadam

Penneswaramadam Shiva Temple

Krishnagiri Dist

Thatrahalli

Sulakkal - A boundary stone

Friday 20 September 2019

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

24th & 25th August 2019.
The two days Visit was mainly focused on Rock arts in the natural caves / shelters around Kaveripattinam and Krishnagiri. During our visit we had 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 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 arts indicates that these shelters are  used continuously and the red ochre is considered 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 animal, other groups can be watched. A very important point is the shelter will be close to water sources with easy access.

The artists records the animals that they had seen, ( like Horses, Tiger), birds,  reptiles like snakes, scorpions, celebrations  ( a rhythmic dancing ), hunting of animals, fight between the groups, the cultural activities, sun, Lamps ( Pandil lamps ), patterns, symbols, designs etc,. Since the caves / shelters are used continuously, the rock arts may belongs to different periods.

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






KARADI KUDDA – KUDAIKAL ROCK ARTS.
This shelter is very near to the Krishnagiri Dam. Since the shelter is in the form of umbrella, this shelter is called as Kudaikal. The approach is little difficult.  In the above Kudaikal shelter rock arts group consists of  Pandil lamps, Damru like fertility symbols, stars, different shapes of square & rectangular, chariot like shapes are drawn. No human figures and 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 had seen rock arts on two small hills. In the 1st hill the shelter is very small and we have to crawl inside. It can accommodate two to three people only. The white ochre rock art consists of a scorpion with a man and 3 fertility symbols. The  Scorpion is very big compared to man.


BELLARAPALLI – 2, NEAR KRISHNAGIRI DAM.
This shelter is about 20 to 30 feet from the ground level. The space is little larger than the 1st one.  The roof and side of  the shelter has the white ochre rock arts. The rock art group consists of  some fertility symbols, a man and a scorpion. The man’s face is facing on his right side.
Here too the sad part is the scribbling of names on the rock arts, miscreants. Some people had cooked in this place and smoke also deposited on the roof top.





---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Thursday 19 September 2019

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

24th & 25th August 2019.
The two days Visit was mainly focused on Rock arts in the natural caves / shelters around Kaveripattinam and Krishnagiri. During our visit we had visited 9 natural shelters / hills, where red and white ocher are found. Unlike the Kilvali, Alambadi, Settavarai, Nehanur Patti ( Neganur Patti ) near Villupuram on the banks of river Thenpennai,  these shelters are natural caves formed by the rocks and part of the hills. The presence of white and red ochre rock arts indicates that these shelters are used continuously and the red ochre is considered 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 animal, other groups can be watched. A very important point is the shelter will be close to water sources with easy access.

The artists records the animals that they had seen, ( like Horses, Tiger), birds,  reptiles like snakes, scorpions, celebrations  ( a rhythmic dancing ), hunting of animals, fight between the groups, the cultural activities, sun, Lamps ( Pandil lamps ), patterns, symbols, designs etc,. Since the caves / shelters are used continuously, the rock arts may belongs 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 are drawn. Experts are on the opinion that this may  be cattle pounds. In another group three pairs of men are fighting with each other. Some damru like symbols, Sun with rays ( eyes- Mouth ) and some fertile symbols are also drawn. Some of the men and women’s faces are drawn side wards.

As per Mr Gandhirajan an expert is of the opinion 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 in 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 arts, their names etc. Request visitors not to ruin the prehistoric rock arts and Govt / Archaeological Dept to protect the same.

  rhythmic dance by women 
 rhythmic dance by men 
 A fighting rock art





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

A man with tiger 
A Horse rider 
 A man with sword and snake 

  ---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Wednesday 18 September 2019

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

24th & 25th August 2019.
The two days Visit was mainly focused on Rock arts in the natural caves / shelters around Kaveripattinam and Krishnagiri. During our visit we had visited 9 natural shelters / hills, where red and white ocher are found. Unlike the Kilvali, Alambadi, Settavarai, Nehanur Patti ( Neganur Patti ) near Villupuram on the banks of river Thenpennai,  these shelters are natural caves formed by the rocks and part of the hills. The presence of white and red ochre rock arts indicates that these shelters are used continuously and the red ochre is considered 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 animal, other groups can be watched. A very important point is the shelter will be close to water sources with easy access.

The artists records the animals that they had seen, ( like Horses, Tiger), birds,  reptiles like snakes, scorpions, celebrations  ( a rhythmic dancing ), hunting of animals, fight between the groups, the cultural activities, sun, Lamps ( Pandil lamps ), patterns, symbols, designs etc,. Since the caves / shelters are used continuously, the rock arts may belongs 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 arts consists of two Horse rider with a leading man, Horse with a man, Birds, cock, Peacock, Chasing animals and some design. A white ochre painting ( a mixture of white and red ) depicts an animal may be 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 visible faintly on 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 length strip like pattern of wide about 6 inches was drawn in red ochre. In the pattern we could see men and women in various postures, may be dancing postures. The painting is faintly visible.



---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Monday 16 September 2019

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

25th August 2019.
The Visit to these menhirs are part of  Kaveripattinam Heritage Visit. Even-though the two days visit was focused on Rock arts 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  tones ) around it. These menhirs are more than 2500 years old and erected close to the prehistoric people buried. The size and height of the stone depends on the social status of the person buried.

JAGATHAB MENHIR.
This menhir is found on a lake bed ( Lake may be a man made ). The menhir is of 10 feet high and 4 feet wide at the base and conical in shape. 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 nos are about 3 to 4 feet high. ( Now they are used to tie the cattle). The Taller one is the oldest and more than 2500 years old. This menhir is about 10 feet high and 2 feet wide and about ¾ feet thickness.  The other tallest menhir was erected during 20th Century. The Inscription on that says that it was erected for “Opulli Venkatappan 1938”. This indicates that practice of  erecting menhir for the dead is continued in recent years too.




   2500 years old menhir 
20th Century Menhirs
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Friday 13 September 2019

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

24th & 25 August 2019
A Continuation post on Krishnagiri Hero stones Part-3
The Visit to the Hero and Sati stone are part of  Kaveripattinam Heritage Visit. The two days Visit was mainly focused on Rock arts in the natural caves around Kaveripattinam and Krishnagiri. On the way we came across many Menhirs, Hero and Sati Stones which are very unique. Some of the details are…

SATI STONE ( RIFLE NADUKAL ) AT GULLUPATTI ( TIMMAPURAM )
This sati stone belongs to 16th to 17th 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 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 his right side of waist. The hero’s wife who took is shown on his right side. She wears saree up to ankle. She holds a pot in her right hand and right hand is in 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 threebanga posture looking straight and the body 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 his right side of his waist. The tuft is tied with cloth and knot ends are shown on both side of his head.  The hero is wearing ornaments on his neck and ears. The Hero stone is under worship and believed to be belongs to 16th to 17th Century.


---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Thursday 12 September 2019

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


24th & 25th August 2019.
A Continuation post on Krishnagiri Hero stones Part-2
The Visit to the Hero and Sati stone are part of  Kaveripattinam Heritage Visit. The two days Visit was mainly focused on Rock arts in the natural caves around Kaveripattinam and Krishnagiri. On the way we came across many Menhirs, Hero 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 was died in 1707 war, which may 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 wears dress up to ankle.  The Hero stands in tribhanga posture with legs are apart and seems he is marching on his left side. The hero’s wife took Sati after the hero was killed in the war. She carries a pot on her right hand and the left hand is shown in raised position.



HERO STONE AT NEDUNGAL
About a KM from Nedungal village on the way to Kaveripattinam we had seen a Hero stone in a Temple like structure. And there is an empty  mandapa near this Hero stone. This Hero stone may belongs to 16th to 17th Century. The hero is standing in tribhanga posture looks, he marches on his right side. The hero holds a sword on his right hand and a bow in his left hand. A half dress is shown below his waist. A scabbard / sword holder is tied on his hip.  The hero stone is under worship with a Trishul is 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 is shown on the left side of the hero. She holds a pot in her left and right hand is shown in raised position. 


This Sati stone about 4 feet below the ground level with steps 
 This may be memorial stone erected a husband wife with a Shiva Linga at the centre
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---