VELUDHARAN TEMPLES VISIT

Wednesday 21 March 2018

Thirukachinerikaraikadu , Thirumalpur Temples, Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu.

18^th March 2018.

We 5 persons from Chozha mandala Varalatru Thedal kuzhu visited the Kachinerikaaraikkadu and Thirumalperu on 18^th march 2018, in search of inscriptions connected to Chozha History. Had been to these temples earlier in connection with Padal Petra Sthalangal dharshan.

THIRU KACHINERIKAARAIKADU.

This, Sri Sathyanatha Swamy temple is one of the Padal Petra Shiva Sthalam, believed to be reconstructed as stone temple during Rajendra Chozha period. The adhistanam has the inscriptions of Rajendra Chozha – I, his son Rajathirajan, who died on the elephant in Thakkolam war, with title “thingalortharu thanrongkal”, Rajendra –II, who defeated Melai Chalukyas in Koppam war with title as “Thirumathu puviyenum”, Rajendra Chozha's grand son and the last King of Chozha empire Athirajendran with the title as “Thingaler malarnthu venkudai”

It was sad to see the inscriptions are discontinued at some points by inserting stone blocks without inscriptions during renovations may be during Nayak period. Koshta moorthams are added at a latter stage by placing pillars on the inscriptions, especially Dakshinamurthy. The paint applied and the oil lamp burned for the koshta murthy’s added more difficulty to read the inscriptions.

While taking some pictures of inscriptions, happened to see Buddhas bas reliefs on the two pillars. Due to dust, water and oil deposited on one of the relief could not be identified easily.

Buddha

THIRUMALPERU.

This, Sri Manikandeswar temple is also a Padal petra Shiva Sthalam of Thondai nadu. It was told that the original inscriptions are estempaged in the year 1905 by the Archaeological department. During the renovations in 1936 all the inscription stones are not fitted on the original places, instead they are used as floor slabs around, Rishabam, balipeedam and Dwajasthambam. With great difficult we could trace the name of Mathuranthakan Kandarathithan and the title of Rajaraja Chozha.

Since this temple comes under the control of HR&CE department, request them to take out these inscription slabs and install some place so that it will benefit to the younger generations to know the History of this temple and the Kings who contributed to this temple. Thanks to Dr Udhaya Shankar, Mr. Andvar Kani, Miss Harini and Mrs Radha for this Heritage Visit.

Prakaram base - Inscription

Inscription stones are used on the floor

The recent years Inscription on the Rajagopuram wall

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Tuesday 20 March 2018

Rock Arts and Hero Stones at koosu malai, Muniappan Kovil, Kamaraj nagar, Krishnagiriand badethalab Eri, Krishnagiri district, Tamil Nadu.

A Continuation post to a Shiva Temple in ruined Capital City of Hoysala Dynasty.

11^th March 2018.

This is the continuation and last post of our Krishnagiri heritage Visit. After meals, we had seen these rock arts at Koosu malai, Gangalery Hills (Then malai or Muniappan malai ), Krishnagiri Kamaraj nagar and Badethalab Eri. It was told that these rock arts in white ochre belongs to 5000 to 6000 years. Some of the rock arts are very difficult to interpret and looks like a modern art. Day to day affairs of the life, like fighting between men, hunting of animals, rituals etc., are expressed in the form of rock arts.

KOOSU MALAI.

This small hill has shelters and some has Rock arts also. Had seen a shelter with rock arts on the ground level and the approach was covered with thorny shrubs.

The rock arts are in white ochre. Drawn with hands since the lines are thick. A fight between two men are shown in the art. On the ceiling a spiral is also drawn. What did the artist imagined, to draw this is not known.

MUNIAPPAN MALAI

This is a part of Gangalery hills also called as Thenmalai. There shelters in this hill also. Had seen a white ochre rock art in a shelter about 25 to 30 feet high from the ground level.

The rock art consists of humans with ears, nose and eyes. Looks like a cartoon.

KAMARAJ NAGAR, PART OF KRISHNAGIRI TOWN

This place once an isolated area now human settlement with houses. The hill has lot of shelters with rock arts. A shelter with rock art has been converted in to a Anjaneyar Temple. Part of the drawing can be seen from the shelter rock.

This shelter has arts in three places. In the front Two people are fighting with each other. Inside the shelter, men are rowing a boat, a Pandil lamp, House and on the opposite side two pandil lamps are drawn like mirror image. .

A House and men are rowing a boat

Pandil lamp

A Sati Hero stone – Pulikuthi kal on the way to the shelter

BADETHALAB ERI ( HILL ), BAIRAVAR TEMPLE. ( ROCK ART AND HERO STONES )

This hill is adjacent to a big lake. We could commute up to the temple, which has some hero stones. Then we started trekking. The shelter with rock art is about 100 feet high. On the way we could find a granite quarry is in operation and hope we may be the last persons to witness these rock arts.

In the art we could find two men are fighting in which one man holds a sword & a shield and the other man holds a bow with an arrow, A pandil lamp is also shown with light emanating from the lamp in all directions. In this set the rock artist had distinguished a lady from a man, which is an unique rock art.

pandil lamp

rock artist had distinguished a lady from a man, which is an unique rock art.

Panoramic view of the Badethalab eri

Bairavar temple

Sati stone

Hero stone

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Monday 19 March 2018

A Shiva Temple at Kundani, The ruined Capital City of Hoysala Dynasty under Veera Ramanathan's Rule, Krishnagiri district, Tamil Nadu.

A continuation Post to krishnagiri Heritage Visit Kundani, The ruined Capital City of Hoysala Dynasty

11^th March 2018.

Krishnagiri region was ruled by Pallavas, Gangas, Nulambas, Cholas, Pandyas, Hoysalas, Vijaya Nagar Emperors, Bijapur Sultans, Wodeyars of Mysore and Nayaks of Madurai, since it is a passage between North India to South India. Krishnagiri is located between small hills which has the of prehistoric human shelters, Megalithic period Dolmens, rock paintings, etc,.

This is a continuation post to Kundani the Ruined capital city of Hoysala Dynasty under king Veera Ramanathan’s Rule. This temple is about a Km from Kundhani Mallama’s temple. The temple is in a dilapidated condition with en entrance arch ( Mottai Gopuram ) on the south side and a big Mandapam.

The temple was constructed with a prakaram. 13^th century inscriptions are found in the base. The sanctum sanctorum consists of a sanctum, antarala and a artha mandapam. Though it is a ruined temple, it is surprised to note that regular poojas are conducted to Lord Shiva. There are no images in the koshtams. In the prakaram at one place roof slab has been supported with a wooden post. It is sad to note that during renovation, some of the hero stones erected out side the sanctum was used as prakaram roof slabs.

There are about 11 hero stones and a inscriptions panel are kept as roof slabs. One of the hero stone has the Tamil inscriptions about the hero how he was died. It was interesting to note in one hero stone, while the hero was fighting with his enemy, he was stabbed from his back. The mandapam on the left of the sanctum sanctorum found reasonably in good condition. Here is the condition of the temple...