Sepulchral Stone (Nadukal) Worship to Courageous Warriors in Purananooru

Abstract

The tradition of society is determined by the condition of the people living in that society. The Sangam Tamils gave a special place to their proud heroism in life. In the Tamil literary tradition, heroism has been taught as an important part of the people of the Sangam age. The hero feels sorry for the days when he was not physically hurt in the war as the days he spent in vain in his life. It was believed at that time that a warrior who dies on the battlefield will attain the heavens of valour. They planted Sepulchral Stones (Nadukal) in appreciation of his valour. The history of the Taller Sepulchral system gradually became shortened and became smaller and later became a big temple can also be traced back to history. The worship of the Shorter Sepulchral stone occupies a prominent place in the Purananooru. The worship of God arose during the time when man lived as a nomad. Man, worships God to get rid of the sufferings of his lifetime and to avoid trials in life. As such a God, the people of the Purananooru rea had a high tradition of worshipping the sepulchral stone as deities. The worship of the sepulchral stone also refers to the tradition of worshipping those who have fought courageously, those who have died facing the north when they were defeated in the war, the chaste women, and those who have performed great deeds. The name and merits of the deceased are inscribed on the stone and worshipped as a Deity. Even today this form of worship is prevalent among the Tamils. The worship of the sepulchral stone is also a symbol of gratitude. This article examines the evidence of the worship of such stones to courageous warriors in the Purananooru.