Tamil Nadu: Land development stone discovered near Cheyyar
Tamil Nadu: A 16th-century land development stone was found near Cheyyar, planted and worshipped for a good harvest.
Historical researcher Erumpur K. Selvakumar found two stones on the road to Tirumundi, between settlements in Arasur village in Cheyyar taluk, Tiruvannamalai district.
He said of these stones:
It appears that the two stones were placed near fields in the middle of the village and worshipped as Perumal Swami and cattle stones (for cattle) during the festival season.
Although the stones worshipped as Perumal Swami resembled Highway Department notices, a closer inspection revealed that they bore the inscription “Shivamayam” and were engraved with conch-like figures and letters.
The stone is 152 cm high and 46 cm wide. The same letter is engraved repeatedly on it.
This type of stone may have been installed in the late 16th century to ensure a good harvest. Villagers also call it the Land Development Stone. Such stones are rare in nearby villages.
Another stone was found near this stone. It may be the Herd Stone, a stone for cattle worship. It’s noteworthy that the villagers have been worshipping these stones for centuries.
Although the Mandaivel Stone is found in most villages, it is rare to see stones taken for land development.
He said that there is also a belief that the villagers, because of their love for nature and their worship of it as a deity, may have installed and worshipped the stone to develop the land and improve agriculture.
