megalithstamilnadu

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http://www.acme.com/GeoRSS/?xmlsrc=http://www.megalithic.co.uk/cache/georss_ 79.689532_12.842249.xml (Map) Marayoor Muniyaras* Barrow Cemetery Sambandhanur burial site Burial Chamber (Dolmen) Kollur Burial Chamber (Dolmen) Sri Kailasanathar temple* Ancient Temple Sri Katchabeswarar temple* Ancient Temple Sri Ekambaranathar temple* Ancient Temple Sri Vaikuntha Perumal Temple* Ancient Temple Sri Ranganathaswamy temple* Ancient Temple Rock Fort temple* Ancient Temple Edakkal Caves Cave or Rock Shelter Chidambaram Natarаja temple* Ancient Temple Mamallapuram* Ancient Temple Mamallapuram Shore Temple* Ancient Temple Halebidu* Ancient Temple Tiger Headed Rock-Cut Cave* Ancient Temple Atiranachanda* Ancient Temple Sri brahadeeswara temple Ancient Temple Sri Brihadeeswara temple* Ancient Temple Kerareshwarah Temple* Ancient Temple Vijayalaiaieswar temple* Ancient Temple Narthamalai temples* Ancient Temple Ammachatram* Barrow Cemetery Sithannavasal* Barrow Cemetery Kudminatha Temple* Ancient Temple Site Name: Moralepara Dolmens Country: India Type: Barrow Cemetery Nearest Town: Krishnagiri Nearest Village: Mallachandiram Latitude: 12.640000N Longitude: 78.050000E

Megalithic burial ground at Mallachandiram, Krishnagiri district in Tamil Nadu. +- 200 Dolmens of different sizes on the hill 500 Meter East of the village, in area measuring 800 x 800 Meters. There are rock drawings inside some of the dolmen. Cist

burial's with large ramp around them. There are also Menhirs up to 4 Meters tall.

There are also Menhirs up to 4 Meters tall. To get there: from Krishnagiri on NH 7 direction Bengalore ,19 Km -Sambahlpallam crossing, from there to the village 3 KM. Ask for Boopathi, he took me to the site. Site Name: Ammachatram Country: India Type: Barrow Cemetery

Nearest Town: Pudukkottai Nearest Village: Ammachatram Latitude: 10.500000N Longitude: 78.770000E

Ammachatram, Pudukkottai district, Tamil Nadu burial ground, chamber tombs with stone circles, 1 KM x 0.5 Km

Site Name: Sithannavasal Country: India Type: Barrow Cemetery Nearest Town: Sithannavasal Latitude: 10.450000N Longitude: 78.750000E

Sithannavasal, Pudukkottai district, Tamil Nadu burial ground, chamber tombs with stone circles, open air sanctuary's, manahirs

Site Name: Vijayalaiaieswar temple Country: India Type: Ancient Temple Nearest Town: Pudukkottai

Vijayalaiaieswar temple, Pommklimali, (near Narthamalai), Pudukkottai, Tamil Nadu. 78 45 53 E' 10 30 28 N' Ancient granite temple of Shiva , 7Th century CE, Pandaya dynasty. Site Name: Narthamalai temples Country: India Type: Ancient Temple Nearest Town: Pudukkottai Latitude: 10.509828N Longitude: 78.765467E

Narthamalai temples, Pommklimalai, Pudukkotai district, Tamil Nadu 2 temples under renovation by the A.S.I 1. Vishnu temple 2. Shiva temple

Narthamalai temples, Pudukkottai, Tamil Nadu 78 45 47 E' 10 30 34 N' Ancient Shiva & Vishnu temples renovated by the A.S.I dated to Pandaya dynesty ,&Th century CE

Site Name: Kudminatha Temple Country: India Type: Ancient Temple Latitude: 10.416457N Longitude: 78.659395E

1. Rock cut temple, consisting of a cave and an outer Mandapam. Its the earliest temple, excavated by the early Pandyas in the 8th century, called Melakkobil. To the right of the cave temple, celebrated inscriptions on musical notes. 2.The structural Kudumianatha temple consists of Sanctum(Ghrbha Griham), Ardhamadapam and two other Mandapam, the

Kudumianatha temple, Kudumianmalai, Pudukkottay district, Tamil Nadu 78 39 34.17 E' 10 24 59.11 N' 1. Rock cut temple, consisting of a cave and an outer Mandapam. Its the earliest temple, excavated by the early Pandyas in the 8th century, called Melakkobil. To the right of the cave temple, celebrated inscriptions on musical notes.

pilasters on the wall are Polygonal, in the niches on the wall are Dakshinamurti (Shiva), Vishnu, Brahma and Durga.

Site Name: Rock Fort temple Country: India Type: Ancient Temple Nearest Town: Tiruchirapalli Latitude: 10.828179N Longitude: 78.696392E

The 83 m high Rock Fort is the only outcrop in otherwise flat land of Tiruchirapalli in Tamil Nadu, the rock is one of the oldest in the world (3.800 million years). 344 steps hewn out of the rock lead to the top where there are inscriptions dated to the 3rd century BCE. At the top of the rock is the Uchipillaiyar Koil temple dedicated to lord Vinayaka. In the temple complex more temples and rock cut temples dated to Pallava period (6th- 7th century CE).

Site Name: Marayoor Muniyaras Country: India Type: Barrow Cemetery Nearest Town: Devikulam Nearest Village: Munnar Latitude: 10.149342N Longitude: 77.111017E

On the Eastern bank of the Pambar river in the western Ghats, lush green with a lot of waterfalls, sandal wood forest, tea and cardamon plantations, is this large Dolmen Field, more then 3 km, the locals call it Muniyaras. To get there from Munnar, go to Mr. Joseph M. Iype in the Tourist Information Service in front of Gandi statue and ask for Tomas to take you there, as he knows all the sites. Marayoor, Devikulam taluka, Kerala, S' India

Marayoor, Devikulam taluka, Kerala, S' India In the western Ghats, lush green with a lot of waterfalls, sandal wood forest, tea and cardamon plantations, on the Eastern bank of the Pambar river, big size Dolmen Field, more then 3 KM, the local call it Muniyaras. To get there from Munnar, Mr. Joseph M. Iype in the Tourist Information Service in front of Gandi statue and ask for Tomas

Site Name: Puthurmalai Country: India Type: Cup and Ring marks / Rock Art Nearest Town: Usilampatti Nearest Village: Malaipatti Latitude: 9.930174N Longitude: 77.819724E Rock Art in Tamil Natu. A cavern filled with ancient rock paintings has been discovered at Puthurmalai, 6 km from Usilampatti in Madurai district in Tamil Nadu, India. The paintings include human figures dancing, marching, hunting and riding on animals, scenes of chase and unidentified animals. Others include geometrical designs and abstract paintings. A 10-member team headed by K.T. Gandhirajan, an explorer who specialises in art history, found the site on October 3. Location given is of the village of Malaipatti Rich haul at rock-art site in Tamil Nadu T.S. Subramanian

— Photo: P. Manivannan and K.T. Gandhirajan

ROCK TALES: Paintings of a tall man, a scorpion and geometric figures discovered near Usilampatti in Madurai district, Tamil Nadu. CHENNAI: A cavern filled with ancient rock paintings has been discovered at Puthurmalai, 6 km from Usilampatti in Madurai district in Tamil Nadu. Malaipatti is the nearest village. The paintings include human figures dancing, marching, hunting and riding on animals, scenes of chase and unidentified animals. Others include geometrical designs and abstract paintings. A 10-member team headed by K.T. Gandhirajan, an explorer who specialises in art history, found the site on October 3. The team included K. Natarajan, lecturer, Government College of Fine Arts, Chennai; P. Manivannan, senior designer, The Hindu, Chennai; students of the Government College of Fine Arts and members of the Paliyar tribe. The paintings are on the low ceiling of a rock inside the cavern. There are altogether about 25 paintings. They have been done with white kaolin. They show a man with a spear walking with a dog; men dancing with outstretched arms; and a scorpion. One scene shows a man walking with a head-load, and two men marching. The purposive gait of the marching men is brought out. According to Mr. Gandhirajan, “a speciality” of these paintings is that several human figures and unidentified animals have thick, three or four white dots around them. Besides, the fingers of men are boldly indicated. The toes of animals are prominently shown. “This [fingers and toes shown prominently] is normally absent in other cave-painting sites,” said Mr. Natarajan. Mr. Gandhirajan called the paintings “stylistically sophisticated.”

They belong to different periods, and the subjects changed depending on the period in which they were drawn. The earliest of the paintings could be more than 1,500 years old, he said. Modern-day graffiti in Tamil jostled with some of these ancient, invaluable paintings. The team discovered this rock-art site when it went on an expedition in search of cave paintings and archaeological remains in the region. In several caverns in the hills in the region, smoke has formed a thick deposit on the ceilings and walls where, the Paliyar tribals said, they had earlier seen paintings of men, deer, dogs and so on. Obviously, smoke from fires lit by shepherds in the caves had formed a film over the paintings, said Mr. Gandhirajan. He pointed out that he and others had earlier found a rock-art site in a nearby location called Chitrakkalpudavu (“rock-cavern with paintings” in Tamil) some nine years ago. http://www.hindu.com/2007/10/19/stories/2007101956912400.htm Site Name: Sri Meenakshi Devi temple Country: India Type: Ancient Temple Latitude: 9.918733N Longitude: 78.119653E

Sri Meenakshi Devi temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu (the goddess with the fish eyes) One of the most beautiful examples of Dravidian art. The original temple built more then 2000 years ago by the Pandaya dynasty, and reconstructed by later dynasties, 78 07 10.75 E' 9 55 07.44 N' temple museum: warrior god

temple museum : lord Vishnu on Sesha

temple museum: goddess

temple museum: lord Shiva in meditation

temple museum: celestial musician

fertility sanctuary with Naga's (snake goddess's) under the holly Banyan tree

temple entrance (Gupuram)

goddess Parvati & lord Shiva on Nandi

Brahma

goddess Saraswati

dancing Shiva (Natraja)

lord Shiva sanctuary

Open fertility sanctuary in the temple yard

Goddess Durga

Natraja-dancing Shiva

guardian goddess

snake fertility goddess under the holly banyan tree

Snake goddess

Site Name: Sri brahadeeswara temple Country: India Type: Ancient Temple Latitude: 10.782843N Longitude: 79.132356E Sri Brihadeeswara temple,Thanjavur,Tamil Nadu One of the most spectacular piece of South Indian architecture . The 'Vimana' (the central tower of the temple) is visible from quite a distance away. The inscriptions show that the constraction of the temple took 6 years to complete, and King Raja Raja Chola - I, performed the Kumbhabhishekam (consecration ceremony) in 1011 AD. The temple was built in honour of his victorious reign, during when the Chola kingdom (10th to 14th centuries AD) extended till Ceylon and some parts of the Malaya archipelago. The western and the northern ends have a long corridor with 108 Shiva Lingams arranged along the inner side of the corridor. The walls are decorated with paintings of the 64 divine 'lilas' (plays) of Lord Shiva. The central attraction is the great Vimana built over the sanctum, which is 216 feet high. It has 14 storeys of intricate sculpting with pilasters and niches, and images of lord Shiva. The Nandhi (the divine vehicle of Lord Shiva) is a monolith measuring 12 feet in height, 19.5 feet in length and 18.25 feet in width, it weighs about 25 tons. The Nandi is seated in an ornately sculpted mandapam called the Nayak Mandapam. According to local legend, the Nandhi was growing in size and people fearing that it might grow out of the mandapam, stuck a nail at its back and since then the growth has ceased. Also it houses many other sub shrines, which are later additions to the great complex. Some pillars in this corridor have carvings of Maratha rulers in them. The shrine of Goddess Sri Brihannayagi was built by a later Pandya King in the 13th century. The shrine of Lord Ganesha is said to belong to the time of King Sarfoji II, the legendary Maratha King. This temple has Ganesha statues in seven poses. The Nataraja shrine, and Saint Karuvurar's Shrine was built in honour of the Saint Karuvar who helped Raja Raja Chola consecrate the Mahalinga. An interesting note is the central stone of the Vimana, which weighed 235 lbs (plus 35 lbs of gold plating on it) and was carried to the top by a scaffold built especially for this purpose, which was 4 miles long.

Another striking feature about the temple apart from the blown out size of almost anything here, are the colours. The fresco painting can be seen in the ceilings of the corridors and also in the ceilings of the many sub-shrines. They are an invention of the Cholas and the painting, which are about 1000 years old are still brightly colourful. Ancient Temple in India The Brahadeeswara temple is described in the encyclopedia Britannica as 'The Great Pagoda at Thanjavur...' Rajarajeswaram in the Tanjavur district of Tamil Nadu has often been called `the temple of temples'. Built round the turn of the first millennium A. D. during the heyday of Chola rule, For the Cholas, temple building was not merely an outpouring of artistic talent but also a way of life, for the entire fabric of the society was woven round the temple. Built by the greatest of Chola rulers, Rajaraja, the temple was named after him as Rajarajeswaram, meaning `the temple of the Iswara (God) of Rajaraja'. Later on, it became known as the Brihadeeswara temple meaning the temple of the `Great Iswara'. Inscriptions engraved on the walls, pillars and podium, is rare wealth, indeed of immeasurable value to the scholar. The inscriptions give, apart from a comprehensive history of the times, a full enumeration of all the metallic images set up in the temple. Numbering about sixtysix, these icons are referred to with a description of the minutest details of size. shape and composition. The temple also sports a depiction in stone, of eighty one of the one hundred and eight karanas of Bharata Muni's Natya Sastra - the first of its kind - setting the pace for many others to follow in succeeding centuries. The inseriptional data also abound in mention of the jewellery of the period; about sixty-six different types of ornaments and jewellery are listed with all the details. The history depicted on the temple walls will not make much sense without an idea of the background of Chola rule and hegemony. The details of Rajaraja's conquests, his army and navy, his administrative ability and his religious tolerance, are gleaned from the inscriptional evidence on the temple walls. An all stone structure of such stupendous proportions had never been attempted before. In height, elegance and simplicity of design and plan, the temple has few parallels. The Bharatanatyam panels have been a source of great attraction to the curious scholar and the dance theorist, as also to the performing artiste.inscriptions mention twenty-three varieties of pearls, and eleven very clearly defined varieties each of diamonds and rubies alone; which only shows how exhaustive is the recording left behind for posterity. Not to speak of their own names and other details, is a case in point to illustrate the Rajarajan eye for detail and documentation. Nothing had been left to chance. A temple for the Cholas was not merely a house of worship. It was the fulcrum of life, for the king linked himself closely with the deity of his choice. War booty was gifted to the temple which was the Treasury as well as the Public Record Office. The king's coronation was celebrated in the temple.

fertility goddess

bronze pillar in front of the Vimana + 4 Nandies

celestial dancer

sculptures on the Vimana

goddess in the temple museum

historical inscriptions

temple guardian

goddess Saraswati

Nandi mandapam

Lord shiva

bronze pillar in the front of

fertility goddess

Naga

the Vimana

Nandi Mandapam

Ceiling of Nandi Mandapam

'Vimana' (the central tower of the temple)

Site Name: Chidambaram Natarаja temple Country: India Type: Ancient Temple Nearest Town: Chidambaram Latitude: 11.398877N Longitude: 79.693581E Chidambaram Natarаja temple submitted by motist Ancient Temple in India Nataraja temple of Chidambaram Chidambaram is one of the most ancient and most celebrated shrines in India. It is of great religious as well as historic and cultural significance. Chidambaram is associated with Nataraja, or Shiva in his Ananda Tandava pose (the Cosmic Dance of bliss) in the cosmic golden hall and the hall of consciousness (Chit Sabha). The word "Koyil" or temple in the Tamil Saivaite tradition refers to none other than the Chidambaram Nataraja temple. Chidambaram is one of the Panchabhoota Stalams signifying the five elements of wind (Kalahasti), water (Tiruvanaikka), fire (Tiruvannamalai), earth (Kanchipuram) and space (Chidambaram).

Four most revered Saivaite Saints (Appar, Sundarar, Sambandar and Manikkavachakar) have worshipped at Chidambaram, and the bulk of Manikkavachakar's work is in praise of Shiva at Chidambaram. Accordingly, their images are placed in the temple entrances corresponding to their points of entry into the temple. (Sambandar - South, Appar - West, Sundarar - North and Manikkavachakar - East). Places of Interest The Nataraja Temple: The temple located in the centre of the town covers an area of 40 acres. It is one of the ancient temples of Tamil Nadu. The roof of the sanctum sanctorum is covered with gold plates. The presiding deity of the temple is represented by air, one of the five elements of the universe and is known as Akasa Lingam. The Eastern tower rises to a height of 40.8 metres. 108 Bharathanatyam dance gestures can be seen on the eastern tower as well as on the western tower. The northern tower rises to a height of 42.4 metres. This temple is home to Chidambara Rahasyam, concept of nothingness (aroopam). Shiva is said to have revealed a vision of his cosmic dance to Patanjali, Vyagrapadar and to all the Devas here. In terms of its antiquity, richness in terms of worship & festival traditions, in architectural & sculptural splendour, in its association with music & dance, Chidambaram is a center second to none in truly representing the rich Indian cultural heritage.

fertility sanctuary

goddess Parvati temple gate

north gate

tample's tank with lord Ganesha statue

north gopuram (gate)

goddess temple gate with Ravana the demon

100 pillars hall faced sculptures

main temple gold plated roof

dancing goddess

temple main Gopuram (gate) Nandi (the bull) Mandapam (hall)

temple main Gopuram (gate) Lord Skanda

temple main Gopuram (gate) Goddess Durga killing a demon.

temple main Gopuram (gate) dancing Shiva

Bronze Nataraja Shiva (dancing Shiva)

main Gopuram (gate) lord Shiva with Parvati Site Name: Kollur Country: India Type: Burial Chamber (Dolmen) Nearest Town: Tirukkoyilur Nearest Village: Kollur Latitude: 11.974600N Longitude: 79.247900E Burial Chamber (Dolmen) and Petroglyphs in Tamil Nadu state. A dolmen with four petroglyphs that portray men with tridents and a wheel with spokes has been found at Kollur, near Tirukoilur, 35 km from Villupuram. Hundreds of megalithic dolmens were once found in Tamil Nadu. Urban development and extension of agricultural land led to their destruction for use in local construction. The discovery was made by K.T. Gandhirajan, who specialises in art history, when he led a team to that area. What is special about the latest find is that while two men portrayed in the petroglyphs have tridents in their hands, a third is brandishing unidentified weapons. This is the second time that a dolmen with petroglyphs has been found in Tamil Nadu. The earlier discovery in the Nilgiris district was also made by Mr. Gandhirajan. He estimated that while the dolmen itself was 2,500 years old, the petroglyphs may date to the Iron Age (ca. 1000 BC - 300 BC). Six more dolmens were found nearby, on the banks of a lake at Kollur. In addition, three dolmens were situated on the bed of the lake which formed at a later period. Note: Other dolmens have been found nearby. Site Name: Sambandhanur burial site Country: India Type: Burial Chamber (Dolmen) Nearest Town: Tiruvannamalai Nearest Village: Sambandhanur Latitude: 12.228750N Longitude: 79.066670E A huge megalithic burial site said to have belonged to 3rd Century B.C. has been unearthed near Tiruvannamalai in Tamil Nādu, India. Human skeletal remains, iron daggers and a sword, decorated red and black earthen

wares, a water jar with an exquisite stand, number of other potteries have been excavated from the cist, a box-like structure made of six huge undisturbed slab stones. When a farmer of Sambandhanur near Tiruvannamalai was tilling a piece of land on the roadsidem, he stumbled upon the cap stone of this huge site. The slab stone looked odd and gave a tip that there was some hollow structure underneath. People thought there could be treasure and thronged the place. On receiving information Collector (in-charge) S. Viswanathan and tahsildar Murugan visited the spot and made arrangements to excavate the site immediately. Archaeologist and professor of history R. Sekar who visited the site said that the sophistication with which the burial had been made points to the importance of the person buried at the site. Daggers and sword found with the skeletal remains should be used by the person, possibly a male, buried there. “He should be a small ruler or a head of clan or a chief of army. If it was an ordinary person there would not be so many grave goods accompanying his body,” he said. After digging earth from the side, officials have removed the one side stone and recovered the objects from the burial. All the other five sides are still intact and it looks like a huge sub-surface niche. “Thickness of the awesome cap stone is more than one and half feet. In no other megalithic burial site in the State such a huge cap stone has been found. The stone has 15 feet length and 8 feet width. There is a round shaped opening in one side of the wall stone. This means to allow „the spirit of the person buried there to come out and get in‟ according to the legend of the ancient people. The style of the cist burial and materials found inside indicate that the burial belongs to approximately 3rd century B.C. or earlier. This site is comparable only to such megalithic burials unearthed in places like Adityanallur and Kodumanal. However Sambandhanur site seems superior both in terms of size and antiquity” Mr. Sekar said. “The place would be made a monument and in order to enable people to visit the place and to remember what kind of people lived in their neighbourhood in the ages of distant past” Tahsildar Murugan said. Epigraphist and Tamil professor V. Nedunchezhiyan also accompanied the mission. http://www.hindu.com/2009/07/17/stories/2009071751690300.htm%3Cbr%20/%3 E Site Name: Sri Kailasanathar temple Country: India Type: Ancient Temple Nearest Town: Kanchipuram Latitude: 12.842249N Longitude: 79.689532E Sri Kailasanathar temple, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu Perhaps the most beautiful temple in the entire city, the Kailasanathar Temple was built by the Pallava ruler Rajasimha Pallava, and was completed by his son, Mahendra Varma Pallava. Rajasimha Pallava ruled Kanchi during the period from 685 A.D. to 705 A.D. This temple is unique in its architecture. It was constructed mostly of limestone. The walls and vimaanam of this temple are filled with great sculptures, and paintings. The locals believe that this temple served as a shelter for the king during wars. The architecture of the temple appears to confirm the belief. The remnants of an escape

tunnel built by the kings is displayed with pride, even now. The temple lies away from the commotion of the city, in a rustic suburb. It is under the maintenance of the Department of Archeology, Government of India. This temple is viewed more as an architectural wonder than as a holy place. Once in a year, the temple is visited en-mass by the local people on the evening of the Maha-Sivaraathri. At that time, there could be hours of waiting in long queues. However, it is a Hindu faith that it is auspicious to visit this temple on the night of Sivaraathri.

Site Name: Sri Katchabeswarar temple Country: India Type: Ancient Temple Nearest Town: Kanchipuram Latitude: 12.838189N Longitude: 79.701102E KACCHAPESWARAR TEMPLE, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu Although it is believed that this temple was built by the Pallava dynasty, the precise timeframe of the construction of this temple is unknown. In This temple Siva appears as being worshipped by Vishnu in the form of Kurmemerali.This temple is located in the centre of Kanchipuram. One version you might hear about this temple would say that this temple is called "Kaccheeswarar Temple". This stands for Kachi + Eswarar = "Lord of Kanchi". Kachi is another name for Kanchipuram. The real reason, however, is that the main deity in this temple is called Kacchapa Eswarar. "Kacchapam" is Sanskrit for "Turtle". Hindu mythology suggests that the main deity in this temple (Lord Shiva) was worshipped by Lord Vishnu in the form of a Turtle. Hence the name Kacchapeswarar Temple.

Site Name: Sri Ekambaranathar temple Country: India Type: Ancient Temple Latitude: 12.840785N Longitude: 79.702969E Sri Ekambaranathar Temple, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu Ekambaranathar Temple is one of the oldest temples in the city. The architecture of this temple is amazing. The gopuram of this temple stands as a massive landmark, spanning a height of 57 metres - one of the tallest in South India. The vast temple premises introduce you to many wonders, one after another. The first is the "Aayiram Kaal Mandapam" or the hallway with a thousand pillars. The next is the array of 1008 Siva Lingams that decorate the inner walls of the temple. The most important, of course, is the "Sthala-Virutcham", a 3500 year old mango tree whose branches give four different types of mangoes. This temple bears the work of practically every dynasty which ruled Kanchipuram. This temple, unlike the Kailasanathar temple, lies right in the middle of the busiest intersection in the city and is filled with people almost all the time. It is located diagonally opposite to the Sankara Mutt. It will be extremely crowded on Sivaraathri. According to legend, this temple is located around the 3500 year old mango tree. Hindu mythology says that Kamakshi Amman performed a penance here under the mango tree to get married to Lord Shiva. In Sanskrit, "Eka" means One, and "Amaram" means "Mango Tree". Hence, Ekambaram literally means "One Mango Tree". Because of its age and vastness, not all places in the temple are accessible to Tourists. Some places can be accessed with special permission.

1000 pillar hall

Site Name: Sri Kamakshi Amman temple Country: India Type: Ancient Temple Latitude: 12.839040N Longitude: 79.705005E Sri Kamakshi Amman temple Built during Pallava supremacy and modified in the fourteenth and seventeenth centuries, the Kamakshi Amman temple, northwest of the bus stand, combines several styles, with an ancient central shrine, gates from the Vijayanagar period, and high gopuras set above the gateways much later.The gopuras and the vimanas are a dazzling sight, painted a riot of gold, pink and blue. To the right of the central shrine, a raised mandapa is an art gallery, housing many pictures of the recent Acharyas. This is one of India's three holiest shrines to Shakti, Shiva's cosmic energy depicted in female form, usually as his consort. The goddess Kamakshi, a local form of Parvati, shown with a sugar cane bow and arrows of flowers, is honoured as having lured Shiva to Kanchipuram, where they were married, and thus having forged the connection between the local community and the god. In February or March, deities are wheeled to the temple in huge wooden "cars", decked with robed statues and swaying plantain leaves. For the rest of the year the bulky but delicately carved temple cars, balanced on colossal wheels, are kept on Gandhi Road.

Site Name: Sri Vaikuntha Perumal Temple Country: India Type: Ancient Temple Latitude: 12.837130N Longitude: 79.709903E Vaikuntha Perumal Temple The Vaikuntha Perumal temple at Kanchoipuram is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It was built shortly after the construction of the Kailashnatha temple (7th century CE). There are covered passages inside the outer walls of this temple, which are supported by lion pillars. Representing the first phase, of the architectural evolution the grand thousand pillared mandaps were built within numerous south Indian temples. There are many sculptures carved out of stones within the temple premises telling us about the rich culture and heritage of the city. The detailed information is available in an eighth century script that tells us about the three different levels of the main shrine constructed, mainly dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It contains the images of Lord Vishnu in standing, sitting and reclining postures.

Site Name: Tiger Headed Rock-Cut Cave Country: India Type: Ancient Temple Nearest Town: Mamallapuram Latitude: 12.658000N Longitude: 80.209000E

Rock Cut temple 5 KM North of Mamallapuram (Mahablipuram) in Tamil Nadu on Beach.

Tiger Headed Rock-Cut Cave: 5 KM North of Mamallapuram (Mahablipuram) in Tamil Nadu 80 11 39 E 12 37 02 N Ancient sea port on the golf of Bengal from the beginning of the CE, rockcut temples and carvings, the capital of the Pallava dynasty (from 630 CE). Most beautiful rock carvings in India, UNESCO World Heritage

Site Name: Atiranachanda Country: India Type: Ancient Temple Nearest Town: Mamallapuram Latitude: 12.657200N Longitude: 80.209550E

Rock Cut Temple 5 KM North of Mamallapuram (Mahablipuram) in Tamil Nadu

Atiranachanda: 5 KM North of Mamallapuram (Mahablipuram) inTamil Nadu 80 11 39 E 12 37 02 N Ancient sea port on the golf of Bengal from the beginning of the CE, rock-cut temples and carvings, the capital of the Pallava dynasty (from 630 CE). most beautiful rock carvings in India, UNESCO World Heritage

Site Name: Mamallapuram Shore Temple Alternate Name: Mahablipuram Shore Temple Country: India Type: Ancient Temple Nearest Town: Mamallapuram Latitude: 12.616420N Longitude: 80.199550E

Temple at Ancient sea port on the golf of Bengal from the beginning of the CE, rock-cut temples and carvings. Capital of the Pallava dynasty dating to 630 CE. It has some of the most beautiful rock carvings in India. UNESCO World Heritage Site

Ancient sea port on the gulf of Bengal from the beginning of the CE. Rock-cut temples and carvings, the capital of the Pallava dynasty dating to 630 CE. Most beautiful rock carvings in India, UNESCO World Heritage site.

Mamallapuram Pancha Pandava Mandapam submitted by motist Mamallapuram (Mahablipuram) in Tamil Nadu 80 11 39 E 12 37 02 N Ancient sea port on the golf of Bengal from the beginning of the CE, rockcut temples and carvings, the capital of the Pallava dynasty (from 630 CE). most beautiful rock carvings in India, UNESCO World Heritage Pancha Pandava Mandapam

Mamallapuram Ganesha Ratha

Mamallapuram Varaha Cave Temple

Mamallapuram Trimurti Temple submitted by motist Mamallapuram (Mahablipuram) Tamil Nadu 80 11 39 E 12 37 02 N Ancient sea port on the golf of Bengal from the beginning of the CE , rockcut temples and carvings, the capital of the Pallava dynasty Mamallapuram

(Mahablipuram) in Tamil Nadu 80 11 39 E 12 37 02 N Ancient sea port on the golf of Bengal from the beginning of the CE, rockcut temples and carvings

Mamallapuram Arjuna's Penance

Mamallapuram Mahishamardini Cave

Mamallapuram Five Rathas

Mamallapuram Shore Temple

http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=16066&noglimit=1&mode=&order= Images and notes thanks to Moti Shemtov. http://ejournal.anu.edu.au/index.php/bippa/article/viewFile/225/215 Megalithic anthropomorphic statues Steps to preserve megalithic burial site Staff Reporter The Hindu 6 Oct. 2006 It is 2000 years old and one of the largest spots

 More than 200 dolmens found  Paintings adorn the dolmens  Locals damaged a few — Photo:N. Bashkaran

ARCHAEOLOGIST'S DELIGHT: The megalithic burial site at Mallachaniram near Krishnagiri. KRISHNAGIRI: The Archaeology department has taken steps to preserve a 2000year-old megalithic burial site — reckoned to be the largest in the State — at Mallachandiram, 19 km from here. More than 200 dolmens (tombs) of four types, dating back to the megalithic period (3 BC-3 Common Era), are found in the village. These include Cairn circles and tombs of nomadic tribes. A majority of the dolmens were built of vertical slabs with portholes on the eastern side. Rectangular slabs, similar to railings, encircle these structures, which have passages made out of small rectangular slabs. Inside the dolmens are paintings portraying human figures, bows and arrows, animals and symbols. Department sources say the locals, unaware of their archaeological significance, dismantled a few dolmens. The damaged slabs would be rebuilt. Chemists from the department will be involved in preserving the paintings. This burial site provides sufficient proof for the vestiges of a megalithic civilisation in a radius of 50 km in and around Mallachandiram. A similar megalithic burial site was discovered at Irulabanda village in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh. Paintings to be documented

Collector Santhosh Babu said a plan was being worked out to document and preserve the pre-historic paintings and dolmens at Kuruvinayanapalli and Thalapallam, hero stones at Nagundapalayam and the megalithic habitation sites at Mallapadi and Maharajakadai. http://www.hindu.com/2006/10/06/stories/2006100617521000.htm Megalithic dolmens found at Periyapatti Kadu Staff Reporter The Hindu 4 Feb. 2009

Historic find: Megalithic dolmens on upper part of Kudhiraiyaru dam near Palani. PALANI: Number of tombs with burial chambers found at Periyapatti Kadu on the upper part of Kudhiraiyaru dam near here was remnants of Megalithic period. Led by Professor S. Vairavel of Arul Migu Palani Andavar College of Arts and Culture, a special team of professors and archaeological experts, have found nine such tombs sprawling over two kilometre surroundings on the hill, which was 1,500 metre above sea level. These gigantic structures were constructed by ancient people using un-chiselled large flat stone supported by several vertical ones. The stones were arranged vertically and covered on top with 20 inch thick cat stones. One tomb was 4.6 metre long and 1.7 metre high, according to Dr. Vairavel here on Tuesday. “These are remnants of prehistoric and also the megalithic dolmens.” Each tomb has several burial chambers to bury bodies of people. Broken earthen vessels The team also collected several broken earthen vessels. Presence of broken earthen pots and plates not only confirmed that the place was a burial ground but also showed the belief of people after death. These tombs were similar to the ones present in Munar and Maraiyur areas, he added.

Presence of tombs at such a height proved that people had lived on Western Ghats. It also explained development of culture, civilisation and life style of people belonging to Megalithic period. A team, comprising members S. Balamurugan, M. Gopalakrishnan, C. Sri Raja, N. Mahesh Kumar M.S. Nattuthurai and G. Ragunathan conducted field study. http://www.thehindu.com/2009/02/04/stories/2009020452430300.htm Excavations - Important - Karnataka Brahmagiri, Dt. Chitradurga, Karnataka Brahmagiri is located close to Siddapur where two Minor Rock-edicts of Ashoka were discovered in 1891. These inscriptions, besides indicating the southern most extent by the Mauryan empire, also mentions the locality known as Isila, the headquarters of the Mahamatras of Suvarnagiri. A habitation site was discovered here in 1940 M.H. Krishna (IAR Mysore Arch. Dept. for 1940, p. 63). He excavated 16 trenches in different parts of the site and recognized five cultural strata: Microlithic, Neolithic, Iron Age, Mauryan, and Chalukya-Hoysala. The Microlithic culture was designated by him as 'Roppa culture', the trench wherein it was identified being located within the limits of the village Roppa.R.E.M. Wheeler discovering Rouletted Ware in Krishna's collections . At the habitation site, he established a sequence of three cultures: Period I, Neolithic or Neolithic-Chalcolithic; Period II, the Megalithic culture; and Period III, early historical culture. Seshadri, 1956, re-explored the site and collected flake tools of jasper, chert, etc., such as scrapers, and assigned them to Pre-I A phase of Wheeler. Later in 1965 two copper objects from the sieved debris and black-painted red ware sherds of the late Jorwe fabric from the surface were discovered; in 1978 similar painted sherds from the overlapping layers of Period I B and the Megalithic were found. In Period I, the Neolithic Culture is characterised by the abundance of polished stone axes made of dolerite. The other lithic tools include parallel-sided blades and microliths such as crescents, beaked gravers, backed blades, blades with crested ridge, but strangely enough without fluted cores, made on jasper, agate, carnelian, flint, common opal and rock crystal are considerably large in number. Period I B indicates an extremely limited use of the metal. The main types of pottery vessels, mostly handmade, generally of coarse grey fabric and in its varying shades, burnished or unburnished, Besides the painted decoration on pottery some have simple incised designs including the herring-bone pattern. Two kinds of burial practices have been encountered: infant urn burial and adult inhumation burial. The prominent feature of Pd.II is the use of iron of offensive and agricultural use, along with polished stone axes and microlithics as survival.The pottery, entirely different from that of the preceding culture, is of mainly three fabrics: highly polished Black-and-red Ware; all-black ware; and bright as well as coarse dull-red ware. The peculiar feature of the culture is the disposal of the dead in a specially constructed stone cist or excavated pit, each enclosed by a circle of boulders on the surface or rarely two concentric circles measuring from 4.8 to 6.3 m in diameter. In one of the Megaliths, 33 gold and two carnelian beads, four copper bangles and a conch shell have been found. The excavator suggests that the pit circles might have

been specialised tombs for a particular and restricted social grade or that were macerating pits in which human. Period III, the early Historic Period, is characterized by a far more sophisticated pottery made on the fast wheel, with white-painted geometrical designs under russet colour [Russet-coated Painted Ware]. The most distinct types are the shallow dish with an internally beaked edge and straight-sided bowl and the frequent use of glass for ornaments being noteworthy. The fragment of a terracotta round medallion with a row of elephants at the edge testifies to the popular art of the period. Considering the datable evidence of pottery with rouletted design, occurrence of Roman denarii of Augustus (c. 2nd B.C.-A.D. ) and of Tiberius (minted c. A.D. 27-37) .Wheeler dated the three cultures respectively from the early 1st millennium to the beginning of the 2nd century B.C.; 2nd century B.C to the middle of the 1st century A.D.; and the middle of the. 1st century to the 3rd century A.D. He also regarded the Asokan edicts of Brahmagiri as having been addressed to the people of the last phase of Period I. http://www.asi.nic.in/asi_exca_imp_karnataka.asp Some photos taken by Moti ji in a shrine in Korta village near Sumerpur in Rajasthan. According to his friend Nirbhai Sing ji (Korta's Takur family) his ancestors carried it with them as they moved from place to place, and worshipped theme in open shrines in the camping grounds, after settled down in a locality they would build for them a permanent temple.

28 Nov. 2009