Hero Stones / Nadu kal / Veerakallu / நடு கற்கள், at Kappalur, Thiruvannamalai / Tiruvannamalai District, Tamil Nadu.

 27^th November 2016.

This post is the end and most interesting part of our Kappalur epigraphy field visit. While others are busy in reading the epigraph – inscriptions on a stone slab erected between Shiva and Vijayaraghava Perumal temple, we four persons  ventured in to the village guided by the Village boys. The boys guided us on the western part of the village. First the photos taken are posted in the facebook and the links with comments are also given below on each photos.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

KOTRAVAI RELIEF.

This stone slab is erected near the Shiva and Jain’s temple facing west. We could not see a clear image due to erosion. Kotravai is standing  on the head of mahishasura. Each hand holds different weapons. Also we could not predict the vahana behind Kotravai,  as a deer or a goat.

The link for the comments on the Facebook.Tamil selvam's. post about Kotravai and on my facebook post

STONE SLABS WITH INSCRIPTIONS

It was told that there are four stone slabs with reliefs erected on all the four directions of the village,  similar to the one between Shiva and Perumal temple, which has inscriptions. The inscriptions speaks about the land donated to temple during Sambuvarayar period. The fourth one we could not see. On all the three stone slabs we could find similar reliefs of  Vijayanagara emblem  Pig and a small sword. It was also told that these stone slabs are erected to mark the boundary of the land donated.

Comments on my face book page about this nadukal Back side with relief of Vijayanagara emblem

The west side boundary stone with relief of Vijayanagara emblem

The South side boundary stone with relief of Vijayanagara emblem near Sri Veerabhadra Temple. Hidden inside the vegetation

NADUKAL AT ANGALAMMAN TEMPLE.

At the entrance of  Sri Angalamman temple, we could find a stone with relief of  a male sitting on an elephant. We assumed the image may be Ayyanar and Mr. Vijay looked at a different angle and said it may be a Jain as Brahma Devar. 

Sastha or the Jaina Indira   - Comments on Udhya Sankar ’s Post on the facebook 

MEMORY STONE WITH VINAYAGAR

In this,  two stone reliefs are erected on both sides of a damaged Vinayagar statue.  The relief in sitting posture on the left side of Vinayagar must be Harichandra and his wife Chandramathi ( may be a wild guess ), since these reliefs are on the way to burial ground.  And on the right side the relief of a man in  standing with hands in worshiping posture.  Also there is a round pillar with inscriptions on the top. We are not sure whether this belongs to this place or brought from somewhere and erected here.

On the Vinayagar's right Harichandra and Chandramathi ( may be ). On the right side the person is not known.

HERO STONES.

Little further on the west direction in front of a dry pond, we could see six hero stones erected on a platform along with Naagars at Durgai Amman Temple. The centre hero stone, a person holding the bow and an arrow on the left directions, which is unusual. The style of the hair dressing seems to be of  Vijayanagara period. Probably the person may be a left hander. 

 Comments on Udhya Sankar's  Post on the face book 

KOMARI KAL

This stone slab is erected on the road side on the western part of the Village. The stone slab bears the Telugu? inscriptions with symbols. It was told that this must be a Komarikal erected  to cure the decease of animals, if one performs pooja to this. 

MISCELLANEOUS STONES AND RELIEFS.

We had seen some more relief panels and statues on the western part of the village. 

MISCELLANEOUS STONES AND RELIEFS.

We had seen some more relief panels and statues on the western part of the village.  

On the way to Chennai stopped at Manampathy for tea break. One of our friend Mr Vimal pointed out a statue on the road side Vinayagar Temple. Yes... the statue is a Navakanda Sirpam. The locals call this statue as "Saavan Silai" “சாவான் சிலை”. In one way it is correct that the statue was erected for a man who died by cutting his head. Here it is.

 

Saavan Silai “சாவான் சிலை”. a navakanda statue
 on the road side Vinayagar temple

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA--- 

Sri Muthalamman Temple, Sri Angalamman Temple, Durgai Amman Temple & Sri Veerabhadra Temple, at Kappalur, Thiruvannamalai / Tiruvannamalai district, Tamil Nadu.

... a Continuation post  to Sri Vijayaraghava Perumal Temple.

                                                                          27^th November 2016.

While the students are busy in reading the inscriptions, we thought of venture in to this Kappalur Village to know more about the village deities. We came across three temples namely Sri Muthalamman Temple, Sri Angalamman Temple, Durgai Amman Temple and Veerabhadra Temple. Each one has its own rich heritage Value.

SRI MUTHALAMMAN TEMPLE.

This temple is on the west side of the Village facing east. At the entrance a pillar is standing in a mandapam like vahana. The sanctum sanctorum consists of sanctum and a mandapam. The vimanam is in globe shape with out ant stucco images. On the left side of the sanctum Nagar are installed in a row.

 A stone pillar without any images  

SRI ANGALAMMAN TEMPLE.

This temple is about 100 meters from Muthalamman temple facing North. In sanctum statue of Amman in sitting posture and in the mandapam there is an ant hill, worshipped by the villagers. Palipedam and soolam are in front of the temple. On the right side of the mandapam Vinayagar and a statue sitting on an elephant. ( The details are written under Nadukarkal )
  

DURGAI AMMAN

A little further from Sri Angalamman temple Durgai Amman temple. This temple do not have any structure. Actually a neem tree trunk is fitted with eyes and nose, worshiped as Durgai. On a raised Plat form the are Naagars and Hero stones. The details of the Hero stones are also  written under nadu karkal, in addition to this.

VEERABHADRA TEMPLE

This temple is on the southern part of the Kappalur Village  facing east. This a stone structure which was reconstructed. The two inscription stones do not have any continuity. A small shrine in dilapidated condition and Sri Veerabhadra is being worshiped by the Villagers. It was told that Sri Veerabhadra is another form of Shiva and Daksha with goat’s head is on the left side of the statue. Agamudayar Community takes care of the temple and annual festival are also conducted. 

We had taken our group photo and appreciated the Villagers good gesture  and thanked the villagers who are accompanied throughout the day. Around 16.30 hrs we closed our day long  epigraphy field visit and returned back to Chennai. My sincere thanks to Mr. Sathyamoorthy founder of R E A C H foundation, Mr. Ramachandran, Mr. Vakula Varadharajan, beloved Coordinator Mr Ramnath  and my Co participants. 

.... to be continued ( Nadu karkal )

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---     

Sri Vijayaraghava Perumal Temple, Kappalur, Thiruvannamalai District / Tiruvannamalai District, Tamil Nadu.

..... a continuation post to Saptha Matrika Temple.

27th November, 2016.

After epigraphy field study at Sri Kamesuwarar Temple & Saptamatrikas temple, we had our good lunch at Sri Kamesuwarar temple. Then we went to Sri Vijayaraghava Perumal Temple. The temple is on the west side of the Village, on the same Shiva Temple road.

Moolavar : Sri Vijayaraghava Perumal

Thayar    : Sri Maragathavalli

Some of the important features of this temple are..

The temple is facing east with Garudalwar and balipeedam are in front. There is a separate entrance for Thayar sannidhi  and Andal sannadhi is on the right side of the sanctum sanctorum. Thayar is in sitting posture and in front there is a 18 pillar mandapam.

In the front mandapam, Kalinga Nathanar, Ramar, Lakshmanar, Seetha and Hanuman, Vishvak senar in sitting posture, Thumbikkai alwar, Narasingar in sitting posture with Lakshmi on his lap, Ramanujar with greeda makudam.

ARCHITECTURE

The main sanctum is of 10 ft x 10ft in size. Moolavar Sri VijayaRaghava Perumal is with Sridevi and Bhudevi. Urchavars are kept at the base.

The temple consists of Sanctum Sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam and a mukha mandapam. The adhistanam is of pada bandha adhistanam  with jagathy, 3 patta kumudam, kandam. The Bhitti starts without Vedika. The sanctum Sanctorum above adhistanam was built with bricks. 

The moolavar vimanam is of two tier Vesara type with stucco images. On east side Thayar is in standing posture with servant maids with samara. 

HISTORY & INSCRIPTION:

From the inscriptions available, the temple exists before 904 CE. The oldest inscription  available is saka year 826 ( 904 CE ). Inscriptions of Rashtrakooda king Kannara thevan, Chozha kings Athitha, Rajarajan & Rajendran are available on the sanctum. Kambavarman, 1st Paranthakan and Parakesari inscriptions are also available. Kannaradevan and Rajendra Chozha’s  inscriptions are found on the pillars of Perumal temple mandapam. Based on the inscriptions it was assumed that the temple might have been constructed during  Vijayalaya or Pallava period.

TEMPLE TIMINGS:

Since oru kala pooja is conducted opening time is unpredictable.

CONTACT DETAILS:

Mr B Raghupathy may be contacted on his mobile 9442810617 further details.

HOW TO REACH:

About 5 KM from Polur. Since the frequency of the bus is limited, advisable to  hire a taxi  from Polur.

LOCATION :CLICK HERE 

 Andal Sannadhi

  Lakshmi Narasimhar 

 Vishvaksenar

 Ramanujar 

 Sri Ramar, Seetha, Lakshmanar and Hanuman 

 Kalinga Narthanar

.... to be Continued ( Nadukarkal )

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Saptamatrikas Temple / The Seven Divine Mothers Temple, Kappalur, Thiruvannamalai District, Tamil Nadu.

27^th November 2016.

This  temple is dedicated to saptamatrikas. This temple is facing west with a balipeedam and a soolam.  A half buried relief panel is kept in front of soolam. They are in the form of reliefs  fitted on the wall in U shape with a Vinayagar on the right. We could not identify them individually due to erosion. This temple was called as “Pidari” amman temple as per the inscription on the back side adhisthana / base of the temple. It was told that these saptamatrikas reliefs  are 1200 years old. There are some more relief panels installed  at the entrance, front and side too. Two are for the male. One may be Ayyanar. It was told that Saptamatrikas are  female deities on the another form of male gods, like Brahma – Brahmi, Varaha Perumal – Varahi, Vishnu – Vaishnavi, Indiran – Indrani, Shiva - Maheshwari  etc,.

INSCRIPTIONS

The inscriptions are found at the back of the sanctum adhistanam and front side. It was told that the front side inscription stone kept on the floor might have been brought from some other temple of the same village.

 The inscription is at the back of sanctum- says that the temple is  Pidari Amman Temple

This inscription fragment stone was laid on the floor might have been brought from somewhere

LOCATION :CLICK HERE 

 Brahmi

 The first panel may be Ayyanar

 Might be Varahi  

 Pothu Raja ( readers are requested to throw some light on this ) He is used in the functions. 

... to be continued ( Sri Vijayaraghava Perumal Temple )

 --- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---