Kabilar Rock

இந்தப் பக்கத்தை தமிழில் வாசிக்க: கபிலர் குன்று ‎

Kabilar Rock (Kabilar Kundru) is a hill rock located at the place where Kabilar was believed to have breathed last. Kabilar Rock is located at Tirukoilur in Viluppuram district. A stone inscription there mentions that Kabilar died here and hence a rock Kabilakal is here on his memory (See Kabilar).

Location

Tirukoilur is located at a distance of about 40 km from Viluppuram. This hill rock is situated in the center of Thenpennai river near the Veerattaneswarar temple, which is 2 km from the bus stand. This hill rock is a small rock placed on top of another rock. This hill rock has a very small temple built on top of it.

Temple Structure

Built of bricks and stucco, the temple dates back to 14^th century (C.E) and it has a Shivalinga installed within it. This temple is considered to be Kabilar's Pallipadai as there was a custom of installing a Shivalinga in the Pallipadai of those who die after renunciation. According to the researchers, there might have been only a Linga on the hill rock for a long time and that the temple constructed at a later date.

On top of the temple are two male figures and two female figures along with divine sculptures. The female figures are considered to be Angavai and Sangavai, while the male figures are considered to be Kabilar and Malayamman. Kabilar Rock is under the control of Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology.

History

The territory with the capital of present day of Tirukoilur in the Viluppuram district, was known as Maladu as well as Malayamman Nadu. This territory was ruled by the Malayammans. Their hill was called as Mullur. Malayamman Thirumudikari, a king, was one of the Kadayezhu Vallalgal. Kabilar composed songs on Malayamman Thirumudikari (Purananuru 121, 122, 123, 124). The mother of Rajaraja Chola I belonged to the Malayamman dynasty. Malayammans were also the army commanders of Rajaraja and Rajendra cholas.

After Velpari was killed by the Muvendars (triumvirate of Chera, Chola and Pandya kings who ruled the ancient Tamil territory), Kabilar who is fried of Velpari, tried to get his daughters married off to kings like Irunkovel and others and approached them. When they refused, after handing over Velpari daughters to andhanars (definition per ancient Tamil: one who lives upholding moral values and ethics), Kabilar sacrificed his life by Vadakiruthal (fasting unto death facing north) (Purananuru 236).

The Tirukoilur inscription, which is believed to be dated to 13^th century (C.E.), mentions that Kapibar married off Pari's daughters to Tirukoilur Malayamman and proceeded for immolating himself in the fire and sacrificed his life. Researchers pronounce that this place was only later recognized as Kabilakal.

This shrine was declared as an archaeological monument through G.O. No. 80/Ta.Va.Pa. Department/Dated/17.01.85, and is considered as Kabilar memorial place.

Kovalur Puranam

When there was a renaissance during 15^th century C.E. in Tamil kingdom after the decline of the art and culture during the 14^th century C.E., a new story was written for Kabilakal on mythological basis. Kovalur Puranam titled Kabilacharukkam (Kabilar Chapter) was composed. This Puranam states that Kabilan, an ascetic, worshipped a Linga by placing it on a rock in the Pennaiyar river in Tirukoilur to remove his difficulties and then attained liberation (Sivanadi - feet of Lord Shiva).

Tirukoilur Stone Inscription

An inscription from the time of Rajaraja Chola I on the northern wall of the sanctum sanctorum of the Veerattaneswarar temple at Tirukoilur mentions as below:

Chensor Kabilan murivan thadakkai

Parithanadaikalap pennai malayarkuthavi

Minalpugum visumbin veeduperuennai

Antharisham sela kanalpukum pennai

Alaipunal azhuvathu Kabila kallathu

References

• Kabilar Kundru, Department of Archaeology
• Kapilakal, Kudavayil Balasubramanian, varalaaru.com
• Kabilar Kundru, India temple tour
• Kabilar Kundru video

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