Hero Stones / Sati Stones / Nadukarkal / Veerakallu / Navakandam, of Penneswaranadam, Krishnagiri District, Tamil Nadu.

24^th August 2019.

Krishnagiri Hero stones Part- 1
During our Heritage walk, to the Temples and heritage sites in and around Kaveripattinam, we came across 6 Nadukals / Hero stones installed in front of Penneswaramadam Shiva Temple.  Out of these 3 nos belongs to Hoysala King Vira Ramanathan’s period and the rest belongs to latter period. Experts of the opinion that Navakanda practice in front of Kotravai was followed   till 17^th century for many purposes such as for the well being of the King, to get victory in the war, to get cured from any decease, to escape from other punishment & took Navakandam and die as hero, etc,.  A memorial stone in the form of bas-relief is erected either at a common place or where the hero took the Navakanda. Some of the Navakanda stones has the inscription of Hero’s name and the purpose of his death. Usually lands are offered to their family for their survival.

 A Navakandam

 Arikanda  Hero Stone ( holding tuft in the left hand cutting the head in the right hand )

Hoysala King Vira Ramanathan’s period Tamil mixed with grantha inscription inscribed on the Penneswaramadam Shiva Temple sanctum Sanctorum wall, speaks about the severe punishment which includes beheading / chopping / slicing of head on their own ( Navakandam ) if anybody proved to be corrupt and seeking of cooked food ( Mendicants/ Beggar ) at Penneswaramadam or in the Villages gifted to Penneswaramadam Shiva Temple. A severe punishment will be given to the kanakkar ( Accountant ) and the concerned Officials, who has not enforced this order. Further the inscription mentions that if any body obstructs this order is a sin equivalent to killing of a cow on the banks of river Ganga. Hence this inscription is considered as an important and unique inscription.  The inscription is  reproduced as given below.

In the group of hero stone, a Sati stone was not installed and laid down on the floor. In that hero is a Isai Panar ( may be a othuvar who recites Thevara hymns in this Shiva Temple ). The isaipanar holds a tambura in his right hand.  His wife who took sati is shown on his holding a pot in her right hand. One of the inscription mentions about a Madam called Cheraman Perumal Madam was functioning at Penneswaramadam. Experts of the opinion that a Thevara school might have functioned at Penneswaramadam.

A Hero Stone Isaipanar Sati stone 

PENNESWARAMADAM GIRIVALAM ROUTE

Our next visit was to the Hero, sati, Pulikuthi Stones with stone houses on the Girivalam route near Penneswaramadam. Some of them are damaged and some of them are in unapproachable condition. These Hero stones belongs to 15^th to 17^th Century.  Large number of Hero and Sati stones indicates that this place Penneswaramadam near Kaveripattinam in Krishnagiri District witnessed many wars during Hoysala and Vijayanagara rule.

 A Hero Stone

 A Hero Stone

 A Hero Stone

 A sati stone

 A Hero Stone

Arikandam holding sword on both hands

  ---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

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Madras / Madharasapattinam - An ignored Evidence of Madras, as Madharasapattinam , Inscriptions of Penneswaramadam, Krishnagiri District, Tamil Nadu.

24^th August 2019.

The metropolitan City Chennai celebrates its birth day as “Madras Day “ on August 22^nd August for the past few years. The present George fort area was sold to East India Company. An agreement was signed by Andrew Cogan & Francis Day, Dubash Beri Thimmappa  and the Vijayanagara empire representative Damarla Venkadri Nayaka on 22^nd August 1639. Hope either Madras or the Chennapattinam was not mentioned in the agreement. How the British called as Madras is not known. There were many theories revolves around the Name Madras.

One such theory is.. Had been to Lazarus Church St Lazarus Chaurch during our Cooum Cultural Mapping Heritage Walk and happened to see an inscription  relating to Madras. The Details are as follows. The Church was built by Fr Ribeiro. It was extended  and renovated by an European named Manuel Madra in 1637 CE.  In 1928, Fr A M Texeira, laid the foundation for the new Church and completed in 1954. Henceforth the Church was called as Our Lady of Guidance ( Nossa Senhora de Guia). This Parish was first known as ‘Madre-de-Deus’ ( Mother of God). The Place was entrusted to the Jesuit Fathers for the Retreat House, Lazarus Church was made the Parish Church. This Portuguese name Madre-de-Deus in due course, gave name “Madras” to this city.

The second theory goes like this…. The 31 line long Penneswaramadam inscription inscribed  during Vijayanagara Empire  Kampana Udaiyar ( 1369 CE ) period, speaks about the  consolidated Victories of Koolimarayar son of Somappa Thennayakkar. In that the places Pudupattinam, Madharasapattinam, Neelangaraiyanpattinam, Kovalam etc, are mentioned.  Some of the Historians are of the opinion that the Madharasapattinam mentioned in the inscription  was corrupted to the name of MADRAS ( Before changed from Chennai ). Which means that the name Madras was existed even before 650 Years and  370 years old Madras Day celebration seems to be inappropriate.

Had been to Penneswaramadam, a part of  Kaveripattinam Heritage Walk on 24^th August 2019. The Penneswaramadam inscription is inscribed on a boulder. The surrounding area was highly encroached and path leads to place has shrinked. History enthusiasts and Historians request the Government to take necessary steps to protect the 650 years old Vijayanagara period inscription, else this historical evidence will be only in paper.    

LOCATION: CLICK HERE

 Faintly visible letters

 St, Lazarus Church inscription

 Penneswaramadam inscription

 Penneswaramadam inscription

Penneswaramadam inscription

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sulakkal / சூலக்கல் at Thatrahalli near Kaveripattinam, Krishnagiri District, Tamil Nadu.

24^th August 2019.

During our search of Hero stones around Kaveripattinam, the locals guided us to this Sulakkal erected on a land at Thatrahalli. It was a practice during kings rule that a Sulakkal will be installed on the boundary of the land donated to Shiva Temple and Vamanakal or Conch with Chakra stone will be installed on the lands donated to Vishnu temples.

Some the Penneswaramadam Shiva Temple inscriptions mentions that boundary stones are installed  on the lands donated to this Shiva Temple ( சூலக்கல்லு நாட்டிக் குடுத்தேன் ). Since this Village Thatrahalli is very close to ( about 10 KMs ) Penneswaramadam Shiva temple, probably this land may also be donated to this Shiva temple. This Sulakkal is erected on a land belongs to Nagaraja Goundar ( Another stone also erected on the land belongs to Muniammal Thottam ). This sulakkal may belongs to 12^th to 13^th Century. 

This Sulakkal engravings are little different from other Sulakkal. A Sulam is engraved at the centre. Mangala symbols are engraved around the Sulam.  A crown is engraved on the top which looks like flying ( symbolizes, donate to the supreme power ). Two whisks / Chowri  are engraved along with a moon ( the donation should continue till the moon exists ) and a SauSwastika a counterclockwise of Swastik symbol ( a tantric aspect of Kali – may be an error by the sculptor, instead of Swastika. A Swastika represents a Sun, prosperity and good luck  ). The regular symbol of Sun  was replaced by this SauSwastika. Two Lamps are engraved on the side of the Sulam. A Kalasam also engraved on the Bottom of the sulakkal. There is no inscriptions found below and back side of the sulakkal.

As per the local people, some rituals will be performed to a girl Child who attained age. Also a lady showed us they had taken some precious stones taken around this Sulakkal. We also observed broken pots scattered around the Sulakkal, which is an evidence of prehistoric settlement around this area.

 ---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sri Penneswarar Temple / Penneswaramadam Shiva Temple/ ஸ்ரீ பென்னேஸ்வரர் கோயில், Penneswaramadam / பென்னேஸ்வரமடம், near kaveripattinam, Krishnagiri District, Tamil Nadu.

24^th August 2019.

The Visit to this Penneswaraswamy / Pennai Nayanar temple at Penneswaramadam  was a part of Heritage walk to the Temples,  Hero stones ( Nadukal – Veerakallu ) and Rock arts  in & around Kaveripattinam in Krishnagiri District. Thanks to Mr  Sadanandam Krishnakumar, who organised this Visit along with Mr Srinivasan and the Participants Mrs Sakthi Prakash, Mr Gandhirajan, Mr John Peter and Dr. Saravanakumar Ramachandran. The temple is on the South bank of river Thenpennai.

 

How the phrase madam was added to Penneswaramadam is not known. The 13^th century inscriptions mentions about the existence of “Cheraman Perumal Madam”. Perhaps this “Madam” may be added to Lord Shiva’s Name for this temple. During Chozha period this place Penneswaramadam was in Nigarili Chozhamandalathu Vijaya Rajendra Chozha Thagadur Nattu Pennai Thenkarai Paiyur patru ( Paiyur was also one of the division in Chozha period as nadu )... Penneswaramadam.  

Moolavar    : Sri Penneswarar / Pennai Nayanar / Penneswaraswamy

Consort      : Sri Vedanayaki ( Thiru Kamakottamudaiyar )

Some of the Salient features of this temple are…

The temple is facing east with  an entrance 7 tier Rajagopuram on the south side. The details of the Hero stones installed in front of the temple will be written separately. Nagars are under banyan trees. Entrance arch is also on the south side.Sri Sankatahara Ganapathy ( facing the south entrance ) and Rishabam are in Artha mandapam. In Koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu, Brahma and Durgai.

In prakaram Nalvar with Sekkizhar, Saptamatrikas, Seetha Rama & Lakshmana with hanuman, Vinayagar, Arputha Linga, Ananda Linga, Mangala Langs, Iswarya Linga, Poorna Linga, Sri Valli Devasena Arumugar ( In standing posture ), Bhairavar ( Naga Bhairava – without Dog ), Rishabam, balipeedam, Chandikeswarar and Kulothunga Chozha-III.

 Sapthamatrikas

 Suryan - xxx - Kulothunga Chozha - Chandran

ARCHITECTURE:

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, artha mandapam and mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a simple pada bandha adhistanam with jagathi and three patta kumuda. A 3 tier Vimana is over the sanctum. The Ardha mandapam and mukha mandapam pillars are of  cylindrical ( Vrutha ) type. The Prakara sannadhis are on a raised platform.

HISTORY & INSCRIPTION:

There are about 40 inscriptions recorded in 1973 and published by the Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology. The Kulothunga Period 1188 CE inscription is the earliest. Hence it may be assumed that the temple might have constructed during his period. The inscriptions belongs to Chozhas, Kulothunga Chozha-III ( 1188 CE, 1206 CE…) and Rajaraja-III ( 1233 CE ), Hoysalas Veera Ramanathan ( 1295 CE), Someswaran and Viswanathan ( 1208 CE), Nulamba King Madurantaka Nulamban ( 1344 CE ) and Vijayanagaras Virupaksha Raya ( 1476 CE ), Veerakampa Wodeyar and Pukkurayar ( 1410 CE ) and an 18^th century inscription also available.

The inscriptions mainly speaks about donations of Gold, lands ( Kandaka – a measure ), cows, Articles like Lamps ( with weight like 800 palam ), reservoir ( Eri ), etc, towards burning of perpetual lamps, regular poojas and Naivedyam offered to Lord Shiva. The Chozha King Rajaraja-III’s queen and Vanakovaraiyan’s daughter Koothadum Thevar Nachiyar directly donated 10 Cows  & a Rishaba towards burning of perpetual lamp to this temple and this inscription ends with a Chozhas Tiger Symbol. The Villages like Paroor, Kooththandankuttai, Kandaka Kazhani, Paiyur etc, are mentioned in the inscriptions.  

One of the inscriptions mentions about renouncing of doing pooja for 6 days to Seemakeswara Battan by Vidukathan. A 13^th Century inscriptions mentions that a “Cheraman Perumal Madam”, this indicates that a  Thevara School may be functioning and land belongs to Nagakandakanputhur was donated to this madam.

A 13^th Century Hoysala King Vira Ramanathan’s Period inscription is considered as an important one, since, if any person doing  Soru venduthal ( the meaning of the word சோறு வேண்டுதல்  is considered as seeking a cooked food / begging is treated as crime ), or obstruction to the gifts/ donations in Penneswaramadam or in the Villages gifted to Sri Pennai Nayanar will be beheaded or slicing his head on his own ( Navakandam )  and the severe punishment will be given to the officer and the Accountant.

Kulothunga Chozha-III ( 1208 CE ), inscription mentions that Chandeswarar was installed along with a donation of land by Jayangondan Mallan on behalf of his son Erandai.  A 14^th Century inscription is in the form of Venba song which resembles like Sri Adi Chandeswarar himself is speaking  about celebration function of 6^th day of Chithirai  festival by a devotee of Kathari Village.

An 18^th century inscription mentions that the mandapa ceiling was paved by a Vellappa Nadan Mecheri Kandan Kanda Chetty. A Vijayanagara period 13^th Century inscriptions mentions of the places like Thamal Village near Kanchipuram, Kanchipuram, Sathurangapattinam, Kovalam, Thanda malai, Aanaikundhi, etc which are faraway from Penneswaramadam.

 Inscription on the sanctum wall. 

Inscription of Kumudam- adhisthanam

LEGENDS:

It was told that after constructing this temple the Thenpennai River changed its course and an island was formed.  The Bhairavar is with Snakes instead of Dog. Hence this temple is famous for Naga Dosha Nivarthi sthalam. Also Ashtami Theipirai poojas are conducted to this Bhairavar. Sun Light will fall on moolavar on Masi Maha nakshatra day.

THE TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept opened between 07.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.30 Hrs.

HOW TO REACH:

The Penneswaramadam is about 5 KM from Kaveripattinam, 28 KM from Krishnagiri, 290 KM from Chennai.

Autos and private buses are available from Kaveripattinam.

LOCATION: CLICK HERE

 A Vijayanagar period - herder relief

                      A pandrikuthipattan bas - relief on a pillar

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA--- 

Palaeolithic period Hand Axes / Tools and Menhirs, Chinnamattarapalli, Krishnagiri District, Tamil Nadu.

22^nd August 2018.

On the way to Krishnagiri after completing our Kolar Heritage visit, it was told that prehistoric period stone age menhirs erected in memory of dead are available at Chinnamattarapalli. There are two menhirs,  of one is under worship. Usually these menhirs will be erected near the Dolmens, Cairn circles with cist. Nothing is found now, except the Menhirs,  The menhirs  available are about 5 to 6 feet tall.

  

It was told that a palaeolithic tools factory functioned here in the hills of Chinnamattarapalli, where prehistoric palaeolithic period human settlement was exists. The stones used for making the tools are not belonged to this hill and are brought from  river beds or near by rock hills. During our visit, had seen, some semi finished axes / tools and stones used for making the tools.

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Rock Arts and Hero Stones at koosu malai, Muniappan Kovil, Kamaraj nagar, Krishnagiriand badethalab Eri, Krishnagiri district, Tamil Nadu.

A Continuation post to a Shiva Temple in ruined Capital City of Hoysala Dynasty.

11^th March 2018.

This is the continuation  and last post  of our Krishnagiri heritage Visit. After meals, we had seen these rock arts  at Koosu malai, Gangalery Hills (Then malai or Muniappan malai ), Krishnagiri Kamaraj nagar and Badethalab Eri. It was told that these rock arts  in white ochre belongs to 5000 to 6000 years.  Some of the rock arts are very difficult to interpret and looks like a modern art. Day to day affairs of the life, like fighting between men, hunting of animals,  rituals etc.,  are expressed in the form of rock arts.

KOOSU MALAI.

This small hill has shelters and some has Rock arts also. Had seen a shelter  with rock arts on the ground level and the approach was covered with thorny shrubs.

The rock arts are in white ochre. Drawn with hands since the lines are thick. A fight between two men are shown in the art. On the ceiling a spiral is also drawn. What did the artist imagined,  to draw this is not known.

    

MUNIAPPAN MALAI

This is a part of Gangalery hills also called as Thenmalai.  There shelters in this hill also. Had seen a white ochre rock art  in a shelter about 25 to 30 feet high from the ground level.

The rock art consists of humans with ears, nose and eyes. Looks like a cartoon.

KAMARAJ NAGAR, PART OF KRISHNAGIRI TOWN

This place once an isolated area now human settlement  with houses. The hill has lot of shelters with rock arts. A shelter with  rock art has been converted in to a Anjaneyar Temple. Part of the drawing can be seen from the shelter rock.

This shelter has arts in three places. In the front Two people are fighting with each other. Inside the shelter, men are rowing a boat, a Pandil lamp, House and on the opposite side two pandil lamps  are drawn like mirror image. .

  A House and men are rowing a boat   

 Pandil lamp   

 A Sati Hero stone – Pulikuthi kal on the way to the shelter  

BADETHALAB  ERI ( HILL ), BAIRAVAR TEMPLE. ( ROCK ART AND HERO STONES )

This hill is adjacent to a  big lake. We could commute up to the temple, which has some hero stones. Then we started trekking. The shelter with rock art is about 100 feet high. On the way we could find a  granite quarry is in operation and hope we may be the last persons to witness these rock arts.

In the art we could find two men are fighting in which one man holds a sword & a shield and the other man holds a bow with an arrow, A pandil lamp is also shown with light emanating from the lamp in all directions. In this set the rock artist had distinguished a lady from a man, which is an unique rock art.

 

 pandil lamp

 rock artist had distinguished a lady from a man, which is an unique rock art.

 Panoramic view of the Badethalab eri

 Bairavar temple 

 Sati stone 

 Sati stone 

 Sati stone 

Hero stone

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---