TIRUCHI: Two 12th century Chola inscriptions have been found at Alavanthisvaram, an ancient temple at Pazhaiya Jayamkondam, 10 km from Mahadhanapuram, off the Tiruchi-Karur Highway.
They were discovered recently by researchers of the Dr.M.Rajamanikkar Centre for Historical Research during a field study. M. Nalini, Reader in History, Seethalakshmi Ramaswami College, led the team.
According to R. Kalaikkovan, Director, Dr. M. Rajamanikkanar Centre for Historical Research, the two fragmentary later Chola period inscriptions, engraved on the basement of the maha mandapa of the temple, records the gift of a piece of land (referred to as Thirunamathu Kaani) to the principal deity of the temple. The produce from the land was to be used for the regular worship at the temple and for giving the deity the sacred bath.
Two other 19th century inscriptions were also found at the temple. One of them, engraved on the southern wall of the Chandesvara shrine in the northern part of the temple, identifies the builder of the shrine as Madhyappa Gnaniyar. The other, engraved on the front pillars of a small mandapa in front of the southern niche of the main vimana that houses the deity Dakshinamurthy, notes that the mandapa was built with the help of two philanthropists, Karuthanagaperumal and Iruvan. Dr. Kalaikkovan said some rare sculptures were also found. A slab panel of the `saptamathrika' appears a very early one. Though mutilated, the sharp features of all the seven deities were well preserved.
The temple tank appears unique in having exquisitely carved Nandhi figures at the four entrances. Some of the Nandhis have additional carvings in their lower portions. One of them depicts Lord Krishna taking away the clothes of maidens and hiding himself in a `kuruntha' tree. Another carving below the Nandhi on the northern side depicts a man seated and enjoying a smoke through a long pipe. Such depictions as extensions of the Nandi sculptures are very rare.
A RARE PIECE: The Nandhi sculpture, depicting a man smoking a pipe beneath, at Alavanthisvaram, a Chola temple, at Pazhaiya Jayamkondam.
Another carving below the Nandhi on the northern side depicts a man seated and enjoying a smoke through a long pipe. Such depictions as extensions of the Nandi sculptures are very rare.
How does one conclude that the man was smoking and not palying an instrument. This is the first time I hear about "smoking". If commons smoked, the royals also must have smoked. Any literary references?
tobacco came from spanish invasions of south america and slowly spread. two of the worlds greatest addictions cigarette and chochlate spread as a result of that. if people smoked something earlier it must have been marijuana or opium. we need to gather info on prevalence of those.
i am certain there was no tobacco in south before 1500.
> if people smoked something earlier it must have been marijuana or > opium. we need to gather info on prevalence of those. > > i am certain there was no tobacco in south before 1500. > > venketesh >
dear venkatesh
i remember reading Sri Iravatham sir's indus script interview sometime back, where he identified some seals there to be associated with pot / hallucinogenic stuff. some later russian digs also yeilded similar - addictive habits - dated to 2nd C BC