Ma Sati kal and Hero Stone / Savan Kal, Munnur, Viluppuram District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to these Hero and Sati Stones at Munnur, Viluppuram District, was a part of “Visit to Shiva, Vishnu, & Jain Temples, Christian Churches and Heritage Sites in and around Pondicherry / Puducherry”, on 07^th June 2025.

SATI STONE/ MA SATIKAL.

This Satikal is found lying near Mariamman Temple at Munnur Colony. Since this Sati Stone was erected for a lady, this type of Sati Stone is called MA SATI STONES.

In this Sati Stone, the Lady is shown in a sitting posture, in Anjali hastam. A traditional mark of Vaishnavites, Urdhva Pundra / Thilak (நாமம் - Namam) is shown above her head. Both chakra and shankha are also shown on the top of the sati stone.

INSCRIPTIONAL DETAILS: 

This Sati Stone was erected in the Kali Yuga year 4973, on the 25th day of Chithirai (1871 CE). The inscription records that Pethalwar vamsam Nallaraiyan, Saangammal’s son, Sathithu Krishna Nallaaraiyan’s wife, Krishnammal, attained Srivaikuntam (died). This Sati stone was established by Nallavur Kottapali Ayyan.

இக்கல்வெட்டு கலியுக 4973 வருஷம் சித்திரை மாதம் 25 ஆம் நாள் பேதாழ்வார் வம்சத்தைச் சோ்ந்த நல்லரையன் சாங்கம்மாள் குமாரன் சாதிது கிருஷ்ண நல்லாரையன் பாரியாள் கிருஷ்ணம்மாள் சீவைகுந்தம் அடைந்த செய்தியையும் நல்லாவூா் கோட்டாபளி ஐயண்ணனால் இக்கல்வெட்டைத் தானமாகச் செய்தளித்தான் என்பதையும் கூறுகிறது. இக்கல்வெட்டு கி.பி. 1871 ஆம் ஆண்டைச் சார்ந்ததாகும்.

LOCATION OF THE MA SATI STONE: CLICK HERE

HERO STONE /NAVAKANDAM/ SAVANKAL

This Navakanda hero stone is inside the Sri Manthaiveli Selliamman temple premises. Hero stone is locally called “Savankal”. The Hero is in a sama bhanga standing posture. He is shown holding a knife in his right hand, cutting his head. The left hand is on his thigh. The tuft is shown like a greedam and wearing ornaments over the neck and in the elongated earlobes. A half dress is shown below his waist.

INSCRIPTIONAL DETAILS:

Since there is no inscription, the reason for giving the navakandam is not known.

LOCATION OF THE HERO STONE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Pallava period Sculpture Panels /Sati Stone Panel, Jyeshta Devi Panel and Chandikeswarar, Munnur, Viluppuram District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to the Pallava Period Sculpture panels - Sati Stone Panel, Jyeshta Devi Panel, and Chandikeswarar at Munnur in Viluppuram District was a part of “Visit to Shiva, Vishnu, & Jain temples and Christian Churches in and around Pondicherry / Puducherry”, on 07^th June 2025.

PALLAVA PERIOD SCULPTURE PANEL - SATI STONE PANEL

There are two panels preserved in the Adavalleeswarar temple, one depicting the Linga with other deities, and the other is Jyeshta Devi.

The bigger panel measures 27 cm x 18 cm. This panel consists of 5 deities depicting Brahma with three heads, Shiva in the form of a tall cylindrical banam (Shiva Linga, equal to the height of other deities) on a square peeda, Parvati, Murugan/ Subramaniar, and Narasimha from left to right. All the deities are shown wearing ornaments, with two hands in a seated posture on a common pedestal. The left hand is in dhyana posture, and the right hand in abhaya hastam. Their right leg is folded, and their left leg is hanging. All the male deities are wearing thick yagnopaveetha. Narasimha is shown with open jaws and ears resembling a lion. Muruga / Subramaniar is identified with his crown / makuda. Enclosing the panels appeared in various books.

As per Dr. Nagaswamy, similar panels are available at Manimangalam, Tenneri, Madurantakam, Uttaramerur, Ukkal, and Brahmadesam. As per the experts, the two panels may be assigned to the sixth-seventh century CE, Pallava period. As per the experts, the first panel with 5 deities is a part of the Sati Stone.   

 Munnur

PC website

PC website

PC website

PC website

JYESHTA DEVI PANEL

This Jyeshta Devi panel measures 20.5 cm X 18 cm, found broken on both sides and heavily worn out. This panel consists of six images, of which the first one seems to be a goddess, and the other two are in Anjali hastam, may be devotees or the donors. Jyeshta Devi is in a sitting posture with bovine head and holding a club in her right hand. This image is Manthan, son of Jyeshta Devi. On her right is her daughter Manthi.

Munnur

Ref:

1. Origin of Sculptural Art (c), Chap 2): Pallava period - Pallava period (Social and Cultural History), by S. Krishnamurthy | 2017 ).

2. Munnur, Manimangalam, Tenneri, Madhurantakam, Uttaramerur, Ukkal, and Brahmadesam, vide Nagaswamy, R., ed. Damalica, Vol. I, Part II, pp. 1–5.

3. R. Nagaswamy, “Sati stones from Tamilnad”, in Art and Culture of Tamilnad, Delhi, 1980, pp. 58–59.

4. Article by Dr. Ravichandran and Munnur Ramesh.

CHANDIKESWARAR

This lone idol installed in front of the Sri Santhaiveli Selliamman Temple was mistakenly identified as Lakuleesar. To prove the idol as Lakuleesar, the club with a snake curled around it is not clearly visible. And also the sitting posture doesn't match, instead it matches with Chandikeswarar. Hence, the experts identify this idol as Chandikeswarar. 

The Chandikeswarar is in a sukasana sitting posture with the left leg folded and the right leg in a hanging position. Lakuleesar is with two hands, holding a Mazhu in the right hand, and his left hand is on his thigh. He is shown with a karanda makuda and wearing ornaments.

This Chandikeswarar may be assigned to the 07^th to 8^th century Pallava period.

LOCATION OF LAKULEESAR: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

Thiruvinneeswaram Udaiya Nayanar Temple / திருவிண்ணீஸ்வரம் உடைய நாயனார் கோயில் / Sri Vinneeswarar Temple, Peravur, Viluppuram District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to Sri Thiruvinneswaram Udaiya Nayanar Temple at Peravur was a part of “Visit to Shiva, Vishnu, & Jain temples and Christian Churches in and around Pondicherry / Puducherry”, on 07^th June 2025.

It is claimed that this is one of the Thevara Vaippu Sthalam sung by Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal (6-70-2, 6-71-4).

ஆரூர்மூ லத்தானம் ஆனைக் காவும்

          ஆக்கூரில் தான்தோன்றி மாடம் ஆவூர்

பேரூர் பிரமபுரம் பேரா வூரும்

          பெருந்துறை காம்பீலி பிடவூர் பேணுங்

கூரார் குறுக்கைவீ ரட்டா னமுங்

          கோட்டூர் குடமூக்கு கோழம் பமுங்

காரார் கழுக்குன்றுங் கானப் பேருங்

          கயிலாய நாதனையே காண லாமே.  2

… திருநாவுக்கரசு சுவாமிகள்

Moolavar  : Thiruvinneeswaram Udaiya Nayanar

                 Thiruvinneeswara Ydaiya Mahadevar

Consort    : Sri Palliyarai Nayaki

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple faces east, with an entrance arch on the south side. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam with pothyals, Rishabam are on the east side of the temple. Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum. Moolavar is on a round avudayar. In koshtam, Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, Brahma, and Durgai.

In praharam Nalvar, Vinayagar, Ayyappan, Chandikeswarar, Bairavar, Navagrahas, Chandran, and Suryan. 

ARCHITECTURE

The complete temple was built with bricks and concrete. The temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, antarala, and ardha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on an upanam and a pada bandha adhistanam with jagathy, kumudam, and pattikai. The bhitti starts with vedikai. The pilasters are of Vishnukatha pilasters with kalasam, kudam, palakai, and pothyal. The prastaram consists of valapi and kapotam with nasikudus. The vimanam above prastaram is of two tiers, greevam and vesara sigaram. Stucco images of Shiva, Dakshinamurthy, Maha Vishnu, and Brahma are in the tala and greeva koshtams.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTION

As per the temple authorities, this is one of the Thevara Vaippu Sthalam and a Chozha Period old temple has existed in the same place since the 8^th – 9^th century, and this place was called Thiruvinneswaram. This new temple was constructed, and ashta bandhana maha kumbhabhishekam was conducted in September 2024.

LEGENDS

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on pradosham, Maha Shivaratri, Vinayagar Chaturthi, etc.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open from 08.00 hrs to 10.00 hrs, and from 17.00 hrs to 19.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

HOW TO REACH

This village, Peravur, is about 2.2 km from the Kiliyanur to Brahmadesam road, 3 km from the Ulagapuram Perumal temple, 10 km from the Tindivanam – Marakkanam Road, 18 km from the Tindivanam bypass road, 28 km from the Marakkanam bypass Bus Stand, and 34 km from Puducherry Bus Stand.

The nearest Railway Station is Tindivanam. 

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sri Arultharum Perumal Temple/ ஸ்ரீ அருள்தரும் பெருமாள் கோயில், Peravur, Viluppuram District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to Sri Arultharum Perumal Temple at Peravur was a part of “Visit to Shiva, Vishnu, & Jain temples and Christian Churches in and around Pondicherry / Puducherry”, on 07^th June 2025.

Moolavar  : Sri Arultharum Perumal

Thayar     : Sri Kanakavalli

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple faces east with an entrance arch on the east side. Balipeedam, stone Deepa sthambam, and Dwajasthambam with pothyal, Garudan are in front of the temple.

In the praharam, Kanakavalli Thayar, Andal, Vinayagar, as Thumbigai Alwar, and Anjaneyar. The Anjaneyar Stucco image of about 25 feet tall.

ARCHITECTURE

The complete temple was built with bricks and concrete. The temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, antarala, and ardha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on an upanam and a pada bandha adhistanam with jagathy, kumudam, and pattikai. The bhitti starts with vedikai. The pilasters are of Vishnukatha pilasters with kalasam, kudaam, palaki, and pothyal. The prastaram consists of valapi and kapotam with nasikudus. The vimanam above prastaram is of two tiers, greevam and vesara sigaram. Maha Vishnu’s various postures are in the tala and greeva koshtams.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTION

As per the villagers, an old temple existed in the same place, and this new temple was constructed, and ashta bandhana maha samprokshanam was conducted on 15^th September 2024.

LEGENDS

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Vaikunta Ekadasi, Ramar Jayanthi, Hanuman Jayanthi, etc.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open from 08.00 hrs to 10.00 hrs, and from 17.00 hrs to 19.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

HOW TO REACH

This village, Peravur, is about 2.2 km from the Kiliyanur to Brahmadesam road, 3 km from the Ulagapuram Perumal temple, 10 km from the Tindivanam – Marakkanam Road, 18 km from the Tindivanam bypass road, 28 km from the Marakkanam bypass Bus Stand, and 34 km from the Puducherry Bus Stand.

The nearest Railway Station is Tindivanam. 

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Shree Mahaveer Jinalayam/ Mahavir Jain Temple, Peravur, Viluppuram District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to Sri Mahavir Jinalayam at Peravur was a part of “Visit to Shiva, Vishnu, & Jain temples and Christian Churches in and around Pondicherry / Puducherry”, on 07^th June 2025. It is said that about 25 Jain families reside in this village, which includes the Vathiyar (Priest) of this temple.

Moolavar: Sri Mahaveer/ Mahavir

Some of the salient features of this temple are….

The temple faces east with a 5-tier Rajagopuram. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam, and Manasthambam are in front of the temple. In the sanctum sanctorum, Mahavir is on a flat stone as a bas-relief. Metal articles, a Mahaveer idol, are in the ardha mandapam.

In the praharam, Mahaveer, Sri pada, a platform (Aiyyanar… Brahma Sastha in Jainism), Parshvanathar, and Navagrahas (Tirthankaras of respective planet, in Jainism).

 Mahaveer

 Tirthankara

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam, maha mandapam, and an open mukha mandapam. The sanctum sanctorum is on a pada bandha adhistanam with jagathy, threepatta kumudam, and pattikai. The pilasters are of Brahma kantha pilasters. The prastaram consists of valapi and kapotam with nasikudus. The sanctum sanctorum was built with stone from adhistanam to the wall. The nagara vimanam above the prastaram was built with bricks and cement concrete. The vimana is two talas, including adhi tala. Tirthankaras are in the tala and greeva koshtas.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTION

The original temple belongs to the 11^th century, Chozha King Rajaraja Chozha-I’s period. It is believed that the Ulagapuram Sri Kailasamudaiyar temple balipeedam and the Jinalaya balipeedam were gifted by the same person. Later, the temple received contributions from the Pandyas and the Vijayanagaras. The temple might have been reconstructed during the 19^th to 20^th centuries. Since the adhistanam is completely painted, I couldn’t see any inscriptions. 

விழுப்புரம் மாவட்டம், திண்டிவனம் வட்டம், உலகாபுரம் கயிலாயமுடையார் கோவிலில் உள்ள பலி பீடத்தை சோழமான் என்கிற வேயன் ஆடவனான வீதிவிடங்கன் என்பவர் அமைத்தார். இதன் காலம் 11ஆம் நூற்றாண்டு. இக்கோவில் ராஜராஜனின் ஆரம்ப கால ஆட்சியில் கட்டப்பட்டது. இதே போல் பலி பீடம் செய்வித்த செய்தி உலகாபுரத்தின் பக்கத்துக்கு ஊரான பேராவூரில் உள்ள சமண ஆலயத்தில் உள்ள பலி பீடத்தில் ஒரு கிரந்த கல்வெட்டு உள்ளது.

The temple was renovated by Bharat Varshiya (All India) Digambar Jain Maha Sabha, with the blessings of Sri 105 Aryika Ganani Vijayamathi, Trustees, and Mathaji, in 1989.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular daily poojas, special poojas are conducted on Mahaveer Jayanti and all the other Jainism festival days.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open from 07.00 hrs to 10.00 hrs, and from 17.00 hrs to 19.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

The Vathiyar is residing in front of Rajagopuram, and may be contacted for darshan.

HOW TO REACH

This village, Peravur, is about 2.2 km from the Kiliyanur to Brahmadesam road, 3 km from the Ulagapuram Perumal temple, 10 km from the Tindivanam – Marakkanam Road, 18 km from the Tindivanam bypass road, 28 km from the Marakkanam bypass Bus Stand, and 34 km from the Puducherry Bus Stand.

The nearest Railway Station is Tindivanam. 

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Kshetrapala

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---