Hero Stone / Nadukal / Veerakallu / செங்கம் நடுகற்கள், worshiped as Ayyanar, at Periakolapadi, Thiruvannamalai / Tiruvannamalai District, Tamil Nadu.

28^th October 2018.

Participated in the Chengam Nadu Karaikal Heritage visit near Thiruvannamalai, organized by Thiruvannamalai District Centre for Historical Research ( TCHR). The first Visit was to the Hero stones at Periakolapadi.  After the visit, while the other participants are busy in taking breakfast, near a Village Temple, few of us peeped inside that temple. So far we had seen that the hero stones are worshiped as Vediappan, But here it is different. The Villagers told that the temple is called as Ayyanar temple and the hero stone is worshiped as Ayyanar. An Ayyanar with Purna & Puskala statues are also kept on a pedestal under open to sky. It was told that, as per Ayyanar’s wish roof should not be provided. Ayyanar’s vahana, elephant(s) in stone are kept in a row offered by the devotees.

Found two more small shires for Ayyanar and Ayyappan. Since Ayyanar with vasthiram seemed to be odd, on a flat stone slab, we are curious to know the sculpture. The Village boys came to our rescue. They removed the vasthiram and shown the sculpture. To our surprise, it is a Pallava period Hero stone. The hero is in a standing posture and his head turned towards his left side with typical pallava period hair style.  The hero holds a katar ( Kuruval) in his right hand and a bow in the left hand.  Kendy  or the toddy pot is shown on the left side of the hero. A beautiful half dress with frills is shown from hip to knee. In addition to this there are two toranas shown on the top of the hero. This signifies that the hero must be a Chieftain or a small king under Pallava Dynasty.  A Shiva linga with sun and moon are shown on the top of the hero stone. It was told that this hero stone may belongs to 6^th to 7^th Century. But look in to the details like sun, Shiva  Linga, moon on the top and the  size of the bow, the hero stone might belongs after 16 - 17th century. 

It was told that a festival will be celebrated in the Tamil month Adi either on 1^st or 2^nd Friday from 18.00 hrs to mid night. Goats, cocks and pigs are sacrificed  to this Ayyanar.

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---