Adhiyaman Kottai, Dharmapuri
Adhiyaman Kottai is a historic fort
situated in Dharmapuri District. It is situated between Salem – Dharmapuri road
and Dharmapuri town and is 5.2 kms from the heart of Dharmapuri. The famed
Chieftain Adhiyaman (Neduman Anji) built a fort and resided within the fort
complex. It is one of the oldest forts within the State. A lake and a temple
are located near this fort. The locals consider this lake and temple to be very
holy places.
The ruins of the roughly oval shaped
fort are still there. The Chendraya Perumal temple is the biggest of the lot
which is held as a protected monument which is believed to have been
constructed both by the King Krishna Deva Raya and Hoysala Kings. There are
paintings in the ceiling depicting scenes from the Mahabaratham, Viswaroopa
Dharshan of Lord Krishna and some scenes from Ramayana and is still pleasing to
the eye. All the paintings belong to the 13th century.
Adhiyamankottai is one of the oldest
forts in the southern state of Tamil Nadu. It is in the Dharmapuri district of
the state. The fort has been built by King Adhiyaman, and he was one of the
very last 7 benevolent emperors who had ruled the state.
The fort actually appears like a
circular mud wall. Moreover, it does appear in a circular image when one
searches it in the map. The place is one of the greatest tourist attractions in
the entire state.
The fort passes through a lake and this
lake is considered to be very auspicious by the locals. One gets absolute
facilities as there are several bus and private car services that connect the
place with the rest of the state.
Etymology
‘Adhiyaman’ is the name of a Tamil
Velir Dynasty King and ‘Kottai’ in Tamil represents fort. As an oval shaped
fort was constructed by Adhiyaman, this place is known as Adhiyaman Kottai.
Adhiyaman
During Sangam Era, Velir dynasty had
ruled this region. The Tamil Velir dynasty had Tagadur (present name of Tagadur
is Dharmapuri) as their most important capital city. Ancient Tamil literature
and several Tamil Vatteluthu inscriptions also mention about their rule and
governance in the region. Prominent among them was Adhiyaman Neduman Anji. He
is considered as Kadai yezhu Vallal (last seven generous chieftains) and the
others are Paari, Malaiyamaan, Valviloori, Peeghan, Nalli and Aykandhiran.
Avvaiyar a legendary talented great
Tamil poetess visited Neduman Anji’s court. In praise of Neduman Anji the great
poetess had sung several elegies of this great patron. Neduman Anji gave
Nellikkani (Gooseberry or Amla fruit) to Avvaiyar. Gooseberry or Amla fruit's
specialty is that it gives longer life to those who eat it. The king gave that
fruit to Tamil poetess Avvaiyar so that she will have a longer life and spread
Tamil language across the world.
Geographic Position
Adhiyamankottai in Dharmapuri is
located at 12°04'12.9"N 78°07'10.9"E or 12.070265, 78.119699.
