Hero Stone / நடுகற்கள் / Veeragallu / செக்கு / Chekku With Tamizhi / Stone Crusher at Marur, Thalavadi, Erode District, Tamil Nadu.

04^th November 2017.

Planned to attend Kumbhabhishekam of Sri Veeramathi Amman, our Kula Deivam on 3^rd November 2017 and visit some of the heritage sites near Erode on 04^th November 2017. After boarding the Taxi, on 04th November 2017, suddenly the plan was changed to visit Hero stones at Thalavadi. It was one of my long time wish to visit  Thalavadi, a heritage treasure land. Due to traffic jam on the way we are able to reach Thalavadi around 10.00 hrs. Mr John Peter, an ex archaeologist took us to the unexplored areas to see the Hero stones and sati stones. One such place is  Merur, Erode dairy’s milk chilling plant complex at Thalavadi area.

On one side of the complex we had seen a two level Hero stone. In the first level 3 warriors with sword on the right hand & kedayam on the left and three  warriors  are shown for their support with sword and bow. In the second level these three warriors are taken to heaven by the angels ( Deva kanniyars with samaram ).  The top portion was found partially broken. In general these type of Hero stones will have the third level in which Shiva Linga with nandi are shown. This two level hero stone is a rare one with out Shiva Linga and Nandi.  This Hero stone does not have any inscription also. The hero stone may belongs to 16^th century as per the experts.

STONE CRUSHER WITH BRAHMI / TAMIZHI INSCRIPTIONS

In the same complex we had seen a Chekku ( to extract oil from seeds ) to a height of about 4 feet.  The complex also has the Cairn circles, iron slag and the sangam period mud pot pieces. These materials indicates that the ancient people lived in and around this place. The Chekku has the Tamzhili inscription "Kon" at the bottom written as a Mirror Image. This was confirmed by Pulavar Se. Raju, Thanjavur Tamil University,  of Erode. As, per Pulavar Se. Raju and Rajagopal, the Inscription belongs to 3rd Century, CE.  

Chekku 

Inscription

the paper cuttings of our Visit

Published in Avanam

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Tippu Sultan's connection with Mosque, Thalavadi, Erode District, Tamil Nadu.

04^th November 2017.

In the ancient times the Egyptians   and Romans  traded with Tamil Nadu through  sea ports like Thondi, Musuri  and the  Palakkad Passage of Western Ghats. This route is called as Rajakesari Trading route.  The Trading route splits in to three from Palakkad passage. The east side route goes to Poombukar  through Chera’s Capital Karur and Chozhas Capital Uraiyur.  The second route goes to Madurai Via Pollachi and Palani.  The third route goes to Mysore via Mettupalayam, Bhavani Sagar, Thengumarada,  Thalavadi and Samraj nagar.

This third route was used by Tippu Sultan  after relaying from his capital Srirangapatna to Mettupalayam, hence called as Tippu Sultan road. It was also told that Tippu Sultan travelled from Srirangapatna to Sathyamangalam in half an hour time ( May not be possible ). Tippu constructed some Mosques on the route and one such mosque exists at Thalavadi till date. ( Will be written in a separate post ).

On both side of the roads banyan trees were planted. Now these trees covers the approximate width of 30 to 40 feet road. While relaying lot of villages were evacuated.  This route from Srirangapatna to Sathyamangalam passes through thick forest and part of the road is open to public  now and Display board as Sultan Road also erected.

There are many remains of of Tippu Sultan in Kongu Mandalam. In remembrance of Tippu Sultan, a road was named after Sultan Road at Punjai Puliampatti and  Two Villages are named as Tultan Pettai near Palladam and Mangalam Tiruppur. There is also a Mosque at Coimbatore where Tippu Sultan prayed.  

 

This Sathyamangalam forest is  also declared as Tiger reserve forest.  It is essential to get permission from the forest Department to venture in to the forest area.

It was told that a mosque exists at Thalavadi, built by Tippu Sultan and showed us a glass framed letter. We took a photo of the same and  verified with urdu language known experts. The letter was a thanks letter written to S M Muhammad Khan Allahuthalla by the Thalavadi muslims for the construction of the Mosque and not having connection with Tippu Sultan. The Photo says that,  Initially Janab Allahuthalla gave Rs 5000 before going to haj yatra for construction of this Mosque. The Locals of Thalavadi collected an amount of Rs 7848 and  found this amount many not be sufficient complete the Mosque. So the locals  gave the money collected to Allahuthalla and  asked him to take the responsibility of completing  the mosque.  The Mosque belongs to early 20^th century.

  

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Hero Stone / Veerakallu / Nadukarkal / நடுகற்கள், The Remains of Chozha Empire at Thiruvellarai and Thiruvanaikaval. Tiruchirappalli District, Tamil Nadu.

05^th November 2017.

This is the last post of my series of posts on Trichy heritage walk arranged by “The Chozha Mandala varalaru Thedal Kuzhu”. After the dharshan of Sri Pundarikaksha Perumal at Thiruvellarai, we went to the Swastika Well dug during 9^th century Pallava period. While group people are busy in taking photographs at Swastika well, Mr Periyaswamy took me to the abandoned dilapidated temple. Had seen Jyeshta Devi / Thavvai Statue, which was under worship during Chozha period. Why the worship was discontinued after their period is not know. But of the Jyeshta Devi / Thavvai Statues are still under worship in some of the temples in the name of Moothevi.  We had seen some Hero stones and Lady statues also.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

Jyeshta / Thavvai Statue 

Hero stone

Hero stone

SRI JAMBUKESWARAR TEMPLE, THIRUVANAIKAVAL, TRICHY / TIRUCHIRAPALLI 

This is the second visit to this temple after the Padal Petra Sthalangal Visit and the details are posted earlier in this blog. This temple’s visit was planned before lunch, but couldn’t do so for want of time. It was around 19.00 hrs when we reached the temple. Dr. Udhya Shankar and Thiru Selvaraj Nayakkavadiyar  explained the salient features of the temple and the legend of Sri Jambukeswarar temple. Had seen the Chozha Period Natarajar, Somaskandar and Urchavars.  We had the opportunity of  seeing the Golden Chariot also. While we are leaving the west side Rajagopuram, happened to see a Navakanda sirpam, erected for a warrior who sacrificed him self for a good cause. May be for the temple or for the Chozha Kings wellbeing.   

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

Chozha Period Natarajar

Golden Chariot

Hero Stone / Navakanda / Arikanda  Statue

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Swastika Well, Thiruvellarai, Tiruchirappalli District, Tamil Nadu.

05^th November 2017.

One of the main attraction of this Trichy, Srirangam Heritage Walk is the Swastika Well, at Thiruvellarai close to Sri Pundarikaksha Perumal Temple. This well digging work was started during the 4^th year rule of Pallava King Dhandhi varman (800 CE) and completed in his 5^th year rule to a depth of about 35 feet and with 45 steps. The well was dug by Alambakkathu Vijayanallulan thambi ( brother ) Kamban Aryan.  The well is also called as “Marbidigu Kinaru”. The well was reconstructed during 13th century by Posala ( may be Hoysala ) Veera Ramanathan's period a Kudanthai ( Kumbakonam ) vanikan ( Merchant ) Uyyaneri kaattinaan.

 

 The Panoramic view of the Swastika well 

The bottom of the well can be approached from four directions with a L shape steps. This shape shortens the length of the steps and make easy climb up and down.  The four arms of the steps joins the side of the well forms the shape of  symbol Swastika. Swastika is considered as a sign of good fortune came from ancient Aryans. ( This symbol was also adopted by Hitler, the dictator of Germany ).  During our visit there was no water inside the well and we could climb down up the bottom.  The well is  being maintained by the Tamil Nadu Archaeological Department.  The steps has two intermediate supports with reliefs of hindu deities.

On the east side parapet semi circular wall rail stone blogs, has two Tamil inscriptions.  One is in the form of text and the other is in the form of poem. The Tamil version of the inscriptions and the meanings  are as follows.

THE INSCRIPTION – 1.
ஸ்வஸ்தி ஸ்ரீ பாரத்வாஜ கோத்ரத்தின் வழித்தோன்றிய பல்லவ திலக குலோத்பவன் தந்திவர்மற்கு யாண்டு நான்காவதெடுத்துக் கொண்டு ஐந்தாவது முற்றுவித்தான்

ஆலம்பாக்க விசையநல்லுழான் தம்பி கம்பன் அரையன் திருவெள்ளறை தென்னூற்ப் பெருங்கிணறு இதன்பியர் மார்ப்பிடுகு பெருங்கிணறென்பது இது ரக்ஷிப்பார் இவ்வூர் மூவாயிரத்தெழு நூற்றுவரோம் ( In some  books this is not mentioned ) 

The inscription records that the Pallava king Dhandhi Varman belongs to Bharadwaja gotra was praised as Thilaka Kulothbavan.  and the well digging / Excavating work was started during his 4^th year rule and completed in 5^th year rule. The well was dug by Alambakkathu Vijayanallulan thambi ( brother ) Kamban Aryan.  The well is also called as “Marbidigu Kinaru”. The well was taken care by the business group called “moovayirathu thelunutruvar”. This inscription also conveys the message of unstableness of this world and we have to do such good deeds to the society.

THE INSCRIPTION – 2. This inscription is in the form of Poem.

ஸ்ரீ கண்டார் காணார் உலகத்திற் காதல் செய்து நில்லாதேய் பண்டேய் பரமன் படைத்த நாள்பார்த்து நின்று நையாதேய்

தண்டார் மூப்பு வந்துன்னை-த்தளரச்செய்து நில்லாமுன் உண்டேல் உண்டு மிக்குது உலகமும் அறைய வைமிந்நேய்

The Poem says that, people seen today may not be seen tomorrow in this world.   This poem also conveys the unstableness of this world, before we get older and die, we have to  do good deeds to this society.  ( Thanks to Thenkongu Sadasivam & Dr Ma. Bhavani  for the Tamil script ).

 Inscriptions 

 Inscriptions 

 Inscriptions 

HOW TO REACH:

This temple is situated between Trichy to Thuraiyur Road, 13 KM from bus stop.

Town bus is available from Srirangam

Since there is no boarding and lodging facility, the devotees are advised to take care before going to this temple.

LOCATION: CLICK HERE 

   View from bottom 

 Bottom of the well

 Reliefs on the lintel supports - Yoga Narasimhar 

 Reliefs on the lintel supports 

 Reliefs on the lintel supports - Perumal with Sridevi and Bhoodevi 

 Reliefs on the lintel supports - seems to be Dhakshinamurthy 

 Reliefs on the lintel supports - Swan 

 Reliefs on the lintel supports - Vinayaga at the centre

 Fragments of statues 

 Fragments of statues 

 Fragments of statues 

 Fragments of statues

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---