Dolmens of Russia

I came across a post in FB about the Dolmens in Russia and came across this link. Whats is interesting is how come these Dolmens look strikingly similar to the ones we find in South India.I have seen such Dolmens in Nilgiris in my school days. I have seen photos of Dolmens across the world and find them almost similar in construction. That's the most intriguing part. Can some one explain? http://www.ancient-origins.net/ancient-places-europe/25000-year-old-buildings-found-russia-006215

Prehistoric structures in Jawadu hills. TN

My next visit http://m.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/now-trek-to-prehistoric-stone-structures-in-jawadu-hills/article4730453.ece

Thirukazhukundram Mystery

Most people who are interested in old artefacts will take no time in recognising what is in the picture below. 

Yes, it is a chinese bell.

Now my question is how on earth a chinese bell found a place in the ancient shiva temple at Thirukazhukundram. The temple, atop a hill is believed to be 1500 years old, there is a cave which predates this temple on the same hill, which is believed to be excavated during early pallava period.

I was surprised to see the chinese bell at this ancient site and by it looks it doesnt look like a recent addition. 

Traditional south Indian temples have bells of different shape, like the one shown below

I could not take a photograph as photography is banned inside the temple. Some one tell me !!

How did the chinese bell land up in this temple, what is the story behind ???Mystery !!!!!

And people who visit this temple, please dont miss this bell.

The temple itself was very famous as, till recent times, two eagles visited the temple exactly at the same time everyday to accept the offerings made by the temple priest. They have stopped coming nowadays.

Will upload more photographs of the temple, they are in my mobile.

Visit to Siruthavur stone circles, near Thiruporur

This post is on my visit to Siruthavur near Thiruporur. It s long ride from my home , almost two hours we spent on bike to reach the place. My only idea was about some stone circles  in a lake bed near Siruthavur and we intended to reach the place. Its a Sad story that most of the stone circles on the lake bed have been uprooted and illegal plots have cropped up. Something has to be done on this real estate menace.

But a short drive after Siruthavur, we came across another site by the side of the road. There was no marking or pointers to this location, but a keen eye cannot miss thoses magnificient stone circles.I dont want to reveal the location on this blog, but can easily find out the location if I visit again. It was pretty hot, but I took a lot of photographs of the stone circles.
Any body interested in visiting the place can contact me by email or phone
email - k_saravanaprabhu@yahoo.com
Mobile - 9840298209

Burial Chambers

Circles lost to real estate

My concern

The Hindu, as always has reported a number new burials being discovered. These burials are being found during some construction work. Once found,these are dug out and shifted to near by museums. Now its surprising that it doesnt click to the authorities that the surrounding region need to be cordoned off and further excavation need to be carried on in the location for meaningful discoveries.instead once the burials are shifted work goes on as usual. Why this megalithic burialsites in our state are not getting the attention they deserve? If at all if there is a sure way of establishing sangam or pre sangam history of tamilnadu,it can happen only thru preserving these sites.
Recently read article about an australian archaeologist who sitting in his place at australia was able to identify some 1977 potential burial mounds in saudi arabia with the help of google earth. Such a study is highly required for our burial sites also.there must be a pattern of these sites which followed the ancient settlement of early tamils.also trying to map them with aerial view can be of great use to study the population densities of various places of ancient tamil country. I offer my assistance to anyone who is involved in such a study.i wish to see those burial sites get the attention they deserve.

Tunnel of Eupalinos - Do we have any??

Strictly speaking I should not be talking about the "Tunnel of Eupalinos" in this blog titled megalithic burial sites in TamilNadu. But I wish to take a exception here.
The tunnel of Eupalinos was built in the 6th Century BC in the greek Island of Samos. Its length is 1036 mtrs and was made beneath a mountain of limestone. The thing that makes it a miracle is the fact that, the tunnel was started from both its end simultaneously and completed by meeting at the centre. Its mindboggling to figure out, how they managed to maintain the course and successfully complete it. Number of Hypothesis exists on how they managed to do it, but that i shall keep beyond the scope of this blog.
When i visited ancient temples and forts in Tamilnadu, one of the popular legends one hears about is the tunnels which connected one particular place with other places miles away. I have infact seen such a tunnel entrance at Rockfort temple at Trichirappalli. Now I am really curious, why no one made an attempt to check whether these tunnels really exists or not? second, was there any serious attempt to excavate any of these tunnels.Is there a structured study carried out by any Govt or private organisation on this tunnels...Iam curious,....very very curious to know....

Visit to Munnar

Last month aVisit to Munnar created a lot of expectation in me. Munnar is a hill station in the neighbouring state of Kerala. We were to take the Munnar-Alluva road on our way to Munnar from Ernakulam. Historically, Kodungallur(known as Muziri in olden days, near present day ernakulam) is known for the sea port from pre christian era.Some where around 10th Century AD, Floods in the Periyar river destroyed this port city and was believed to be a cause for formation of the present day port at Cochin.

Munnar-Alluva road was a very important trade link between Ancient tamilnadu and Port city of Kodungallur. I assume this road must have been a major trade route from at least 4000 years ago. i have read from internet sources that the present day Munnar Alluva road is running almost the same way it had run thousands of years ago, but we can never be sure of that, because the road essentially follows the periyar river and because of geological factors the river might have changed its course many times during the past.

The ancientness of the road is being validated by the presence of large no of Dolmens and burial sites along its course.So I was very eager that I might see atleast a couple of Dolmens along the road, but the driver disappointed by saying that most of the dolmens are atleast a kilometer walk away in the dense jungle. Since I was on a short family trip, I thought it would'nt be fair on my part to make everyone wait for my visit.

Also I have trekked in this region in my school days and had seen a lot of dolmens at that time. Since there are a lot of visitors in this part and the guides and local people are well aware of the significance of Dolmens, I believe they will remain preserved till I make a trip again to this region, It was a disappointment,but this short visit will definitely help me in planning my next trip (Exclusively for Dolmens) effectively.