Chola Period sculpture discovered near Natrampalli!

chola1In Kethandappatti near Natrampalli circle, sculpture belonging to Chola period during the reign of King Sundara Chola has been discovered. It belongs to 10th centrury AD.

King Sundara Chola ruled from 957 AD till 982 AD with Tanjore as capital. He also had other honorary names like 2nd Paranthaga Cholan, Madurai Konda Ko, Rasakeasri Varman, and ‘Pandianai Suram irakkiya peruman’ .

King Sundara Chola was the fater of the great Chol King 1st Raja Raja Chola.

Sculpture belonging to King Sundara Chola period has been discovered in Krthandappatti.

The small hill known as Perumal Kundru in this place has a sculpture of a male 4’ in height and 3’ width in a posture of obeisance leaning towards right in prayer to Lord Siva.

The sculpture wears a hair arranged in a bun form, wearing a jewelled necklace with gemstones in the neck, with a dress in the waist and carrying a small sword. Ovr the sculpture, there is a stone inscription of 6 lines in written in a combination of Tamil & Kranth.

This is a stone cut during the reign of King Sundara Chola’s 25thruling year in 981 AD. It carries the message that one Neelakanda Chetty from a place called Perumbakkam had dug a special lake carrying the water ‘Thudavai’ from flowing groundwater.

The lake was built around 1024 years ago. The sculpture may be that of Neelakanda Chetty. It is in posture as Neelakanda Chetty praying Lord Siva. Currently, this sculpture is being worshipped as god “Kollappan’.

Dr. P. Venkatesan, a researcher on sculptures and stone-cuts and the Headmaster of Kodhandapattin Government High School, located this sculpture while carrying out research work with his students based on information received from Mr. Mullai from Koothandakuppam.

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