Pallava period Hero stone / Veerakallu / Nadukal, Ongur, Viluppuram District, Tamil Nadu

This hero stone’s iconography is very similar to that of the Pallava-period hero stone. The hero is in a standing posture, holding a sword in the right hand and a bow in the left hand. The sword is in the opposite direction to the Hero. The hero stone is in a badly eroded condition.  

This hero stone belongs to the 9^th century CE with two lines of inscriptions. We couldn’t find out the meaning of the inscriptions except for the two names of Ko KoRRan and his son’s name, Ooran. The inscription reads as ….

1. கோ கொற்றன்  
2. மகன் ஊறன்

Ref:

நடுகற்கள்

ச. கிருஷ்ணமூர்த்தி

LOCATION OF THE HERO STONE         : CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA --- 

Kotravai / Mahishasuramardini / Durgai Worship at Perangiyur, Jambai, T Orathur and Thoravi in Viluppuram and Kallakurichi Districts, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to the Kotravai/Mahishasuramardini / Durgai sculptures in the temples of Viluppuram was a part of the "Viluppuram Heritage Walk" organized by History Trails on 24^th and 25^th July 2021.

This Kotravai, a mother goddess worship, has been followed from ancient times. Kotravai is believed to be a goddess of fertility, agriculture, and hunting. Old Kotravai Sculptures can be seen in which Kotavai hold “plow tool – ஏர், and Bow & arrow. Later, she became the goddess to give victory in the wars. Soldiers sacrifice themselves by cutting off their heads to achieve victory in the war. Slowly, Kotravai transforms into Mahishasuramardini, according to the Vedas and Puranas.  Once a main deity, Kotravai, has become a Koshta deity called Durga. 

Mahishasuramardini at Sri Jambunatheswarar Temple, Jambai, Kallakurichi district.

This Mahishasuramardini is 8 hands (Ashta bhujam) holding various weapons like a sword, Chakra, Conch, Bow, arrow, shield, etc. Her left leg is resting on Mahisha, who is shown with a buffalo’s head. She Kills Mahisha with Trishul. She wears ornaments on her ears, neck, and hands. She also wears a Yagnopaveetha. Her Vahana simha is shown on the back of her legs. This Mahishasura Mardini belongs to the Rashtrakutas.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Perangiyur, Sri Chamundeshwari Amman Temple/Sri Samundeeswari Amman Temple, Viluppuram District.

In the mukha mandapa of Sri Chamundeshwari Amman Temple, there are many sculptures, including this Kotravai. This Kotravai with 8 hands (Ashtabujam), holding various weapons like a Sword, a Shankha, a Chakra, a Shield, a bow, an arrow, and a Chattai. Her lower left hand is in ooru hastam. She is standing on a buffalo’s head.  She wears ornaments and yagnopaveetha. Kotravai's structure is shown as a skeleton. This is the transformation stage of Mahishasuramardini to Durgai. It was said that this Kotravai belongs to the Pallava period (…?)

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

T. Orathur, Kotravai, Viluppuram District.

This Kotravai is on the banks of an Eri at T. Orathur in Viluppuram District. The Kotravai is about 6 feet tall in the form of a bas-relief. Kotravai is with 8 hands, and holds various weapons like swords, Shield, Conch, Chakra, etc. The lower right is holding a flower, and the left hand is in kadi hastam. Wears ornaments in the ears and on the neck. Her Vahana Deer is shown on both sides, which is a unique feature of this Kotravai.

LOCATION  OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Kotravai/Mahishasuramardini/Durgai at Thoravi, Viluppuram District. 

This temple is locally called Pora Koil. A Chozha-period Kotravai is in front of the sanctum sanctorum of Poraiyatha Temple. During our visit, the complete decoration was done after abhishekam. The Kotravai is in a standing posture with 8 hands holding various weapons.  The head is a little turned towards the left.

The temple is dedicated to Saptamatrikas. All the Saptamatrikas are kept in a row along with Vinayagar and Veerabhadra. The Saptamatrikas belong to the Chozha period.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Jyeshta Devi / Thavvai Worship at Perangiyur, Thimmachur, Jambai, Jambai Sri Jambunatheswarar Temple, Perani, Sendiyampakkam, Alagramam, Thiruvandarkoil and Melolakkur in Villupuram and Kallakurichi Districts, Tamil Nadu.

The worship of Jyeshta Devi started in the 3^rd century BCE and continued till the 7^th to the 8^th century. She was called Mootha Devi, Moodevi, Thavvai, Settai, Kettai, and Mamugadi. As per Sangam's literature, she was worshiped as a female deity after Kotravai and mentioned as Thavvai. She holds the Crow flag and broom. She is shown with large pendulous breasts, a flabby belly, and thick thighs. These are seen and considered as a good sign of wealth (வளமையின் சின்னமாக பார்க்கப்பட்டது) and fertility. During the Pallava period, Thavvai was in a separate temple, and donations were made for worship.

By the 7^th to 8^th century Aryans gained popularity and rose to the level of controlling temples. By quoting the Agamas and Puranas, Jyeshta is the elder sister of Lakshmi, who came first while churning the milk ocean by Devas and Asuras to get the amrith. She came first with an Ugly face, flabby belly, and thick thighs, holding a crow flag and broom. They changed the people’s minds so that Thavvai is an inauspicious goddess, and those who worship her will be in poverty. 

By the 10^th century, the worship of Thavvai slowed down, and the Deities were moved out of the temples. Even though she is not worshiped popularly, her son Mandhan with the bull (some claim as buffalo) is worshiped to get relieved from the Mandhi dosha. In this article, we will see some of the Jyeshta Devi/Thavvai sculptures of Villupuram District. In that, some are still in worship.

Perangiyur, Sri Thirumoolanathar Temple, Jyeshta Devi / Thavvai.

Jyeshta Devi/Thavvai…  Thavvai is shown with a flabby belly and thick thighs. Her crow flag and broom are on her back. She wears ornaments in the ears, neck, and Yagnopaveetha. Her son Mandhan and daughter Mandhi are on both Sides. Thavvai is resting both hands on her two attendants. This Thavvai is in a sitting posture, whereas Mandhan and Mandhi are in a standing posture.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Thimmachur, Jyeshta Devi, Kallakurichi District

In this Jyeshta Devi/Thavvai statue, she sits on the throne and rests her leg on the ground. She is not shown with a flabby belly and thick thighs. Her right hand is abhaya hasta, and her left hand rests on her thigh. She wears ornaments on her ears, neck, and Yagnopaveetha. Her crow flag is shown on her back. Her sons, Mandhan and Mandhi, are also sitting on both sides.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Jambai, Jyeshta Devi / Thavvai, Kallakurichi District.

In this Jyeshta Devi/Thavvai statue, she sits on a throne. She is not shown with a flabby belly and thick thighs. Her right hand holds a lotus flower, and her left hand rests on her thigh. She wears ornaments on her ears, neck, and Yagnopaveetha. Her crow flag is shown on her back. Her son Mandhan and daughter Mandhi are in a standing posture on both sides.

This Thavvai was worshiped in Allinathar Temple (also called Nagareecharathu alwar..? and the place was called Valaiyur) (which was in dilapidated condition and is now under reconstruction), and now she is in the middle of the field. There are two inscriptions on the rock/boulder near her. The inscription belongs to Kannaradevan's period and records the donations made to this temple. This area comprises Maladu Vanakopadi, Singapura nadu was ruled by the Vaithumba King, who helped Kannara Devan in the Thakkolam war. 

 

During Kannaradevan's 18th reign year, the Vaithumba King had given a gift of 20 Kalanju gold to Thiruvaiyar SankaraPadiar to burn a lamp at Nagareecharthu alwar. 

The inscription under the above belongs to Kannaradeva's 23rd reign. One of the bodyguards of the Vaithumba King, who helped in the Thakkolam War, who also belongs to the Kaikolar sect Padai/ regiment called Anukkan Thoothuvan, established an endowment of burning a lamp at Valaiyur Nagareecharathu Alwar Temple. A gift of 15 Kalanju gold was given to the temple's Valanchiyar. 

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Jambai, Sri Jambunathar temple, Jyeshta Devi / Thavvai, Kallakurichi District.

This Jyeshta Devi / Thavvai is in worship along with other deities. It was said that this Thavvai belongs to the Rashtrakutas. In this Jyeshta Devi / Thavvai statue, Thavvai is in a sitting posture on the throne and resting her leg on the ground. She is not shown with a flabby belly and thick thighs. She is holding a lotus flower in her right hand, and her left hand rests on her thigh. She wears ornaments on her ears and neck. Her crow flag is shown on her back. Her sons, Mandhan and daughter Mandhi, are also in a sitting posture on both sides.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Perani, Thavvai (Jyeshta Devi with Manthan and Mandhi), Villupuram District.

This Thavvai belongs to the Pallava period and is not in worship, lying as a loose sculpture in the outer praharam. Thavvai is shown with a flabby belly and thick thighs. Her crow flag is shown on her back. She wears ornaments on her ears and neck. Her son Mandhan and daughter Mandhi are shown on both sides. Thavvai’s right hand is holding something, or abhaya hastam, and the left hand is holding a water pot. This Thavvai is in a sitting posture, whereas Mandhan and Mandhi are in a standing posture. Since Thavvai's sculpture is in a highly eroded condition, we couldn’t obtain all the details.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Sendiyampakkam, Shiva Temple Jyeshta Devi / Thavvai, Villupuram District

This Thavvai belongs to the Pallava period and is in worship and installed in the praharam along with Murugan, Maha Vishnu, and Durga. Thavvai is shown with a flabby belly and thick thighs. Her crow flag is shown on her back. She wears ornaments in the ears, neck, and Yagnopaveetha. Her son Mandhan and daughter Mandhi are shown on both sides in a sitting posture. Thavvai’s right hand is abhaya hastam and holding a water pot in the left hand.  

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Alagramam, Thavvai at Sri Chelliamman temple, Villupuram District. 

This Thavvai is in a sitting posture with large pendulous breasts, a flabby belly, and thick thighs. Her hands are hanging; whether they are resting on something is not known. She wears ornaments on her ears and neck. She is sitting alone without his son and daughter. This Thavvai was made like a statue.

LOCATIONS OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Thiruvandarkoil 

This Thavvai is in a sitting posture. Her Crow flag is shown on her back. Her Son Mandhan and daughter Mandhi are shown on both sides. This Thavvai may belong to the Chozha period.

 

LOCATION: CLICK HERE  

 

 

Melolakkur, Jyeshta Devi / Thavvai, Villupuram District.  

The Jyeshta Devi / Thavvai Thai is with her daughter Manthi and her son Mandhan. Local people call this a Durgai Amman or an Ellai Amman  (Amman at the Limit point for the village). Jyeshta Devi is in the form of a bas-relief, which is not protruding much. She is in a sitting posture with her legs folded. A Big belly is shown, and ornaments are shown in the ears and on the neck. Her crow flag and broomstick are shown on her back.  Mandhan is shown with a human face instead of the usual buffalo’s head and holding a Dhandam in the right hand. This is very much similar to the relief found at Chunambedu. As per the historians, both reliefs are of the 6th-century Pallava period. 

LOCATION OF JYESHTA DEVI BAS-RELIEF:  CLICK HERE 

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Ananda Sayana Perumal / Thondur Sayana Perumal / தொண்டூர் சயனப்பெருமாள், Thondur, Viluppuram District, Tamil Nadu.

This second visit to the Thondur Sayana Perumal carved on a boulder was a part of the Viluppuram Heritage Walk organized by History Trails on 24^th and 25^th July 2021. The first visit to this Anantha Sayana Perumal was organized by the REACH Foundation on 15^th Feb 2015.

Anantha Sayana Perumal was chiseled on a huge rock in the midst of paddy fields. Perumal is in Anantha sayanam on Adhiseshan (5-hooded snake), keeping his head on the left side, which is rare. In the neck, the throat is not visible; instead, the surface is smooth. The ‘Kireedam‘/ Crown is of Cambodian style; hence, this was chiseled by the Pallavas and has a connection to Cambodia ( ?). This bas-relief was carved during the year 780 CE.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The Pallava King (Vijniya – Siyaparumar… ?) period inscription on the Vinnamparai rock to the left of the image of Vinnaraja near Tondur is much damaged and cannot be read.

The Pallava King Dantivarman’s 6^th reign year, 802 CE, inscription on a boulder (in the village on the back side of the residential houses), records an undertaking by the ūrār of Aruvägūr, (a village) on the eastern part of Singapura-nādu,¹ as their duty to the state (?) (dēśikappādu... manom) in respect of 16 kalañcu of gold, gifted by Viņņakōvaraiyar to (goddess) Erruk-Kunranār-Bhattāri, for the merit of Udaradi and Nambi... who lost their lives on behalf of Viņņakōvaraiyar, received by them viz., that they would (supply) daily four nāli of rice as the interest thereon. The gift-money was entrusted to Kāśyapar and...paiyar, who agreed to be the executors of the gift and those who were born in their family and acted as supervisors (nāyakan-ceyvar). The ūrar also agreed to pay a quarter more on the interest to the household of Vinnakōvaraiyar for any default in the supply and remit 4 ¼ mudal (capital) as fine for any failure.

NOTE

1. The territorial division Singapura-nādu was probably named after Singavaram in the Gingee taluk of the South Arcot district. It included Nerkunam and Vedal in the Wandiwash taluk of the North Arcot district and Täyanür in the Tirukköilür Taluk of the South Arcot District.

The above inscription in ARE 1916 registers a gift of gold by Vinnagovaraiyar to (the temple of ?) Kunranar-Battari worshipped by Vingakovarniyar, for the nerit Udaradi and Numbi….and who fell in a cattle-raid. The gold was received by the residents of Kilvali. Aruvägûr in Singapura-nadu.

The Chozha king Parakesarivarman “who took the head of Vira Pandya”, 5^th year of reign, inscription on slab with bow and arrow, registers a gift of sheep for a lamp to the temple of Kidanda-Perumal by Sûramittirap-perumanradi, son of Irugannan residing at Kilvali-Tondür in Singapura-nadu.

References:

1. ARE, 1916, no. 281, 282 and 283. 

2. South Indian inscriptions Volume – XII, no. 42 and plate v.

3. Inscriptions of the Pallavas, by T V Mahalingam. 

 

HOW TO REACH

Thondur Sayana Perumal is about 18 km from Gingee, 57 km from Villupuram, 58.6 km from Thiruvannamalai, 70 km from Thirukovilur, and 155 km from Chennai.

The nearest Railway Junction is Villupuram. 

LOCATION OF THE PLACE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Parshvanath Tirthankara and 3 Jain beds in Jain Cave, Pasumalai Padukai, Thondur, Viluppuram District, Tamil Nadu.

The second visit to this Tirthankara and Jain beds at Pasumalai Padukai /Thondur, also called “Panchanarpadi Cave,” was a part of the Viluppuram Heritage Walk organized by History Trails on 24^th and 25^th July 2021. During our 2^nd visit, it was observed that (first trip, organised by REACH Foundation on 15^th Feb 2015), steps were constructed up to steps chiseled on the rock to climb easily. This monument has a Jain Tirthankara Parshvanath bas-relief and 3 beds.

 

Tirthankara…. Parshvanath is shown in a sitting posture with a snake hood on the back of the head. Mukkudai is not shown. 3 Simha’s are shown at the base. Parshwanath Tirthankara’s face and body are reworked, which spoils the antiquity of the bas-relief. The old and new pictures are given below for comparison.

The Tamil/Brahmi inscriptions are not legible to read. From the document, the Jain beds are created by Mosi as per the instructions of Senkayan. This Brahmi / Tamizhi inscription belongs to the 3^rd Century CE. 

ஸேங்காயிபன் ஏவ அகழ் ஊரறம்  மோசி செயித அதிட்டானம்

As per Senkayiban's instruction, Mosi has done 3 samanar beds. Whether the 3 horizontal lines represent the 3 beds... is not known. As per the Jains' website, it was read as...  

( இ ) ளங்காயிபன் ஏவ அகழ்ஊரறம்  

மோசி செயித அதிடானம்..  

என்பது இதன் வாசகமாகும். தொடக்கத்தில் “இ” க்கான மூன்று புள்ளிகள் உள்ளது போல் தெரிகிறது. இறுதியில் மூன்று என்பது ஒன்றன்கீழ் ஒன்றான படுக்கைக் கோடுகளால் காட்டப்பட்டுள்ளது. இளங்காயிபன் பணித்தபடி (ஏவ) அகழூரினர் இந்த அறத்தைச் செய்தனர்.  இந்த புனித இருக்கை (அதிட்டானம்) மோசியால் செய்யப்பட்டது என இரு செய்திகளாகப் பொருள்தருகிறது. இறுதியில் உள்ள மூன்று கோடுகள் அங்குள்ள படுக்கைகளில் மூன்று படுக்கைகளின் எண்ணிக்கையைக் குறிக்கிறதா என்பது தெரியவில்லை.

1 மற்றும் 12வது எழுத்துக்கள் நடன காசிநாதனால் “ஸ” என படிக்கப்பட்டன. 15வது எழுத்தான “ற” கல்வெட்டு  வெட்டியவரால் பிழையாக வலம் இடமாக வெட்டப்பட்டுள்ளது. மூன்றாவது எழுத்து “ங்” புள்ளியுடன் உள்ளது. அகழூர் என்பது அகழ் ஊர் என இக்கல்வெட்டில் உள்ளது. இன்று தொண்டூர் அருகில் அகலூர் என்றொரு ஊர் உள்ளது. அகழூரினர் ஒன்றாக இணைந்து இளங்காயிபன் என்பவர் பணிக்க அறம் செய்துள்ளனர் என்பது ஒரு நிறுவன அமைப்பினை உணர்த்தும். மோசி என்பது ஆட்பெயர். “திருந்து மொழி மோசிபாடிய ஆயும்  என்பது புறப்பாடல் வரி (புறம் 158).

HOW TO REACH

Thondur / Pasumalai Padukai / Panchanarpadi cave is about 17.5 km from Gingee, 57 km from Viluppuram, 58 km from Thiruvannamalai, 69 km from Thirukovilur, and 155 km from Chennai.

The nearest Railway Junction is Viluppuram. 

LOCATION OF THE CAVE:  CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

HERO STONE / Sati Stone / Navakandam / Veerakallu / Nadukal of Sendiyampakkam and Jambai, Viluppuram and Kallakurichi Districts, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to the Hero and Sati stones at Sendiyampakkam was a part of the "Viluppuram Heritage Walk" organized by "History Trails" on 24^th and 25^th July 2021.

Hero Stone at Sendiyampakkam (Inside the Eri), Viluppuram District.

This Hero stone is inside the eri / on the east bank and west of the Shiva Temple, where the Loose sculptures are. This hero stone belongs to Pallava King Simhavishnu’s period (570 – 600 CE). This hero stone was erected for a soldier, Karunanidhi, the younger son of Chintriyambakkam Sothala Perumakkal Nandi Kilan, who was killed belongs to Amoor Kottam Meengundram (in Jayangoda Chozha mandalam near Thirukazhukundram in Chengalpattu District).

This Hero stone is being called Thorattikal by the Local people. In the hero stone, the hero is shown marching on his left side. Holds a kattar in his right hand, and a bow with three arrows is shown. The hero wears a dress below his hip; the rope of the dress is shown between his legs. Also wears ornaments on his neck.

This inscription in Tamil vattezhuthu records as …

1. சிங்கவி
2. ண்ணபரு
3. மற்கு
4. செருசேவகரு
5. ஆமூருக்கோ
6. ட்டத்துமீ
7. ங்குன்றத்
8. துசொதல
9. ங்கிழபரும
10. க்கள் நந்தி
11. கிளனரு சின்
12. றியன் பாக்கம்
13. இளமகன்
14. கருநந்திகு
15. த்திப்பட்டாரு

SATI STONE, at Sendiyampakkam, Viluppuram District.

This Sati stone is at the beginning of the village. This sati Stone belongs to the 6^th century CE, Pallava period.

In the Sati Stone, the hero is shown at the center holding a sword (Ganga Style) in the right hand and a shield in the left hand. He wears a dress below his hip, and a kattar is shown on the right side of his hip. His wives, who took sati after the Hero’s death, are shown on both sides. The lady on the right side holds a toddy pot, and the lady on the left side holds a flower. A lamp is also shown on the left side of the lady’s leg.

Dr Poongundran mentions two inscriptions in two different pages in his book of which one is wrong. The inscription on this Sati Stone reads as…

1. ய ஆமூர் அ
2. ரைசரு மக்கள்
3. ...ரும்மகாட்டி
4. அருகருபூச
5. ...பட்டா
6. (ருகல்)

 The other inscription reads as…

1. …. போத அ
2. ரைசரு மக்கள்
3. ட்குவ்வி
4. ஆருதரு பும
5. கண்ண….

LOCATION OF THE VILLAGE : CLICK HERE

Hero Stones – Navakandam / Arikandam at Sri Jambunatheswarar Temple, Jambai, Kallakurichi District.

The Navakanda Nadukal was erected as a Hero for the successful completion of a mandapa at the temple. A land was gifted to his brother Uthirapatti. The Hero is shown cutting his head and holding the sword in both hands, which is a special feature of this Navakanda sculpture. Usually, inscriptions are inscribed on the hero Stone itself. But in this case, the inscription is inscribed/recorded on the walls of Sri Jambunatheswarar Temple.

The details of the inscription are….

Koperunjingan’s 13th reign year inscription records that a tax-free land of 150 kuli was granted by the Thanathar for this temple, according to the order of Gangayar to Annamalai, the younger brother of Atkondan, who cut off his head so that the nirutha (Dancing Hall) mandapa in the temple of Tirttantonri Aludaiya Nayanar (Thiri Thanthodonri Aludaiya Nayanar) at Sambai / (Jambai) might be completed. Atkondan is stated to be the younger brother of Perralvi, Thevaradiyal (temple maidservant) residing in the village. (This inscription is an instance of voluntary sacrifice for the successful completion of a mandapa)

LOCATION OF THE VILLAGE: CLICK HERE

HERO STONE at Mel Olakkur.

In this hero stone, three warriors hold a sword and shield. This Hero stone was erected for the warriors who lost their lives in a war. While the two warriors point their swords down, one warrior holds his sword up.

LOCATION OF THE VILLAGE: CLICK HERE  

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---