09th April
2016.
Even-though it was very hot out side, enjoyed the Buckingham canal
trip led by Mr Venkatesh, the Historian & the writer, Mr Vaidyanathan
Ramamurthy and the curators Mr Shasvat and our young curator Nandan. The
arrangement of the program & Co-ordination was excellent,
which makes the trip more enjoyable with out feel of the scorching sun.
The tour was planned in such a manner that, we had our breakfast and Lunch at
A2B of Mamallapuram/ Mahabalipuram. When most of us could not see the cairn circles ( megalithic
) of iron age burial site, we are fortunate to see more than 30 such
sites. My sincere thanks to all the participants.
SRI SUBRAMANIAR TEMPLE -
This archaeological site is very near to Tiger caves and is 6 KM
north of Mamallapuram/ Mahabalipuram. This site was estimated to 4th/5th to
12th/13th century and dedicated to God Sri
Subramanya. The exposed structure consists of balipeedam, vel, Artha mandapam,
sanctum. The Sanctum was built like a well. The of the temple was built with
laterite stones, over which stone slabs are provided like plinth beams over
which the walls are constructed with brick stones of various sizes. Some of the
bricks are more than 10 inches. The mandapa pillars are removed from the site
kept out and has the inscriptions. The tsunami exposed rock has the inscription
of Rajaraja Chozha and Pallava Period. The plinth surface was covered up
to 10 feet by the sand.
LOCATION
:CLICK
HERE
ECLIPSE MANDAPAM
It is after Mamallapuram/ Mahabalipuram on ECR on the road side. The mandapa might have been used as a Traveler's resting Mandapa ( வழிப்போக்கர் மண்டபம் ). Had seen two Dutch person's relief on the pillar. The
pillars has reliefs of both Saiva and Vaishnava Deities ( Lord Shiva on Rishaba Vahana, Vishnu on Garuda etc,. ), Munis / Rishis with head gear as jadabandam, Dutch persons, A Nayak in Anjali hastam ( may be the person responsible for construction ), erotic sculptures etc., The Ceiling has the
relief of The Kannappar purana, Solar and Lunar eclipse, lotus medallion, Purusha mirugam, monkey with it’s baby and Crocodile.
The mandapam pillar pothyals / corbels are of mixed types right from
rectangular to pushpa pothyal with vazhaipoo ( short). The mandapam
might have been constructed during 17th Century Nayak’s period.
Portuguese / Danis bas-relief
SADRAS FORT
Sadras was known as Rajanarayan Pattinam name after the
Sambuvarayar Chieftain. During 1818 it was with Dutch and 1848 Britishers took
over the control of the fort. Latter it turned as Sadiravasagan
Pattinam again this was changed to Sathurangapattinam by Britishers. Kalpakkam
Atomic Energy quarters was built adjacent to the fort.
The Sadras fort was established by Dutch during 17th century,
on this Coromandel Coast for trading the Muslin Cloths, Horses, edible oil,
Pearl, Cotton, spices, salt, etc,. The forth with about 1 meter thickness wall
was constructed with brick. The fort house, a cemetery, Church, gallows, office
rooms, quarters for staff, Kitchen with a well inside, storage for the grains,
stable for the horses, etc,. The cemetery has 16 graves and one is for a mother
and her baby died during delivery. This is in the form of load bearing
structure ( sumai thangi - சுமை தாங்கி). On
one of the grave the Sadras is mentioned as “SADRESPATNAMVOOR”. The fort
was constructed with Bastions on the west side and watch round towers on
the east side. The bastions are used to corner the enemy from the three corner
of the fort and attack.
LOCATION
:CLICK
HERE
For more Photos in Picasa Web Album: :CLICK
HERE
ALAMPARAI FORT.
Alamparai lies on the east coast called the Coromandel coast
served as Fort as well as sea origin ancient Tamil Nadu. The Tamil Sangam
Literary work, Sirpupanatruppadai mentions that this region called as
Idaikazhi Nadu ( one of the regions of ancient Tamil Nadu ) and also describes
the region and the activities of the people. The existing ruined fort and
dockyard at Alamparai was built by the Muslim rulers during 18th century CE, from 1736 to 1740 CE. The fort was under the control of the Nawab of
Carnatic Dost. Alikhan. Nawab Ali Khan donated this fort and Dock yard to
thakkana’s Subedar Musafarjung a French Captain in the year 1750 CE for the
benefit / favor he got from the French Captain Duple. Later in the year
1760 the fort was destroyed by the Britishers, when the French diminishes their
power.
The square shaped fort with Towers at angles ( 4 corners), were
built of bricks and lime mortar. It occupies an area of nearly 15 acres and the
length of the Dockyard is about 100 meters. Alamparai was also known as
Alambarva, and Alampuravi. Zari, Clothes, salt and Ghee were exported
from the Alamparai port. Alamparai Kasu & Varahan ( Coins ) were minted at
the Alamparai Mint. Pottipattan who was in-charge of the mint construction and a
Shiva temple, a Big pond and a Choultry on the highway for the benefit of the
pilgrims who traveled on the east coast from Kasi to Rameswaram. This highway
lies at a distance of two miles on the western side of Alamparai Fort. This
Fort is maintained ( No maintenance ?) and protected by the state Department of
archaeology.
VEDAL
- SRI VADAVAMUKA AGNEESWARAR TEMPLE.
This is the last Pallava and early Chozha period brick temple
dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple facing east. There are two Ambal in a
separate sanctum facing south. There are many changes between our last visit to
this visit. Fence has been erected. A new Vinayagar sannidhi was constructed and
Ambal sannidhi renovation is in progress. Still the Gajabirushta vimanam of the
main sanctum is vertically cracked from top to bottom. It was learnt that local
people are doing thirupani with their own fund. For the details of
our last visit through R.E.C.H Foundation : Click
Here
SRI TIRUPULISWAR VAIKUNTESWAR TEMPLE - VAYALUR
A CHOZHA PERIOD GAJABIRUSHTA
VIMANA STONE TEMPLE.
The temple complex has the sannadhi for Tirupuliswar,
Vinayagar, Sri Vaikundavasa Perumal, Angayarkanni Thayar. In Shiva’s sanctum
koshtam Vinayagar, Guru Bhagavan ( Dakshinamurthy ), Vishnu ( in Lingothbavar
place ) Brahma and Durgai. All the sannidhis including Rajagopuram are up to
ceiling level with out vimanam. Inscriptions are there at the adhisthanam of Sri
Tirupuliswar sanctum.
This temple is under the control of ASI (Archaeological Survey of
India).
LOCATION
: CLICK HERE
For more Photos in Picasa Web Album: :CLICK HERE
MAMALLAPURAM/ MAHABALIPURAM – QUARRY, NEAR VALIYAN KUTTAI RATHAM AND PIDARI
RATHAM.
This is on the entrance to Mamallapuram / Mahabalipuram from Pondy to Mamallapuram/ Mahabalipuram.
A beautiful Pillayar pasa angusam, relief greets us at the entrance. Both
Valiyan Kuttai Ratham and Pidari ratham are unfinished. We could see not only
the chisel marks, but also the chisel scrapping in length wise. Behind both of
the Ratham we could see, the abandoned quarry, where the granite hill is split
in to blocks or slabs. First the required area is marked and square holes to a
depth of 4 to 5 inches depth are formed. Bamboo was tightly hammered in the
holes. Then water is poured on the bamboo, which expands and split the granite
in to blogs or slabs.
LOCATION
:CLICK
HERE
For more Photos in Picasa Web Album: :CLICK
HERE
THIRUPORUR IRON AGE BURIAL GROUND SITES
These are the megalithic burial sites belongs to the end of Stone
age to Iron age. These are dated between 1000 to 300 BCE. The term Megalithic
gets the name from the fact that the people of this culture built structure
using large boulders, stones. These structures are available in plenty on the
west side of Thiruporur town and south side of Shiva temple on the hill. Since
the boulders are available plenty on the hill the same was utilized to build
these structures. Some of the structures are intact and many of the structures
were incomplete due to removal of the boulders for construction by the present
people. We could also see some samples of iron slag, Yes, and not the laterites
stones.
The site belongs to the archaeological survey of India and warning
board was also erected. But the total place is not protected by fence
arrangement. Lot of glass bottles are scattered around the whole area. We could
explore a small area in which we could see more than 30 circles. There are more
such circles are available on the hill up to lake bed. We understood that
in spite of warning signs houses were built and encroached by the building
developers.
For more details http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=26215
LOCATION
: CLICK
HERE
For more Photos in Picasa Web Album: :CLICK
HERE
The piece of iron slag
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMAHA:---
--- OM SHIVAYA NAMAHA:---
