Porunai Zephyr

Arittappatti – the Mecca of Tamil Heritage!

I remember to have read Gandhiji saying similar in the line, ‘look at the night sky; Could a more beautiful art than this ever be created?’

But, yes! Nature has created an art work to the height of the skies on the terra firma in the rocky contours at Arittapatti. The rocks here form out numerous splattered patterns of kaleidoscopic designs.

Arittappatti near Madurai is a land of unique and ancient range of rock formations.

The rocky outcrops and scattered granite boulders here are nature carved and weather sculpted and preserved through perhaps from the pre-historic years.

In Arittappatti, nature has sculpted such a marvelous art work on a range of rocks from tiny to colossal in size befitting it to be called as an art museum in this isolated Spartan landscape on the valley nestled between Perumal malai reserve forest and Alagar malai range.

It’s an ever green interest close to any heart irrespective of its age to watch the soothing charm of the moving clouds taking innumerable shapes in their course, suiting ones perception. Arittapatti offers such an equal pleasure to the artistic eyes of the beholder by its splendid shapes and curves of naturally carved rocks.

It fills one with the type of excitement as one can endlessly watch a fish tank or the visions of innumerable designs that a kaleidoscope would offer.

Human habitation in this heritage land dates back to pre-historic period, as Stone Age implements have been excavated here. The natural caverns of the Arittapatti rocks could have sheltered the early man. Agro fields amidst the hillocks and the water harvesting and irrigation systems here should be one of the oldest cultivation systems of the World.

The rock cut cave temple of Shiva in one of the rocky hillocks here dates back to 7-8^th century as informed by the state archaeology dept.

Pandya country, especially the surrounding landscape of Madurai is endlessly endowed with so many outcropped rocky formations like Arittapatti and Yanamalai.

No wonder there are a number of cave temples in Pandya country carved into huge boulders of rocks such as Yanamalai Narasingam, Yanamalai Lauden temple, Thiruparankundram, Piraanmalai, Varichiyur, Karpagavinayagar temple, Kundrathur…..

The list goes on...

Kalugumalai in Tirunelveli District is another typical example in this rock cut cave carving architectural style called ‘kuda varai’ temple.

As per the ancient traditions of the country, outcropped rocks very much like flora and fauna are considered to be life forms i.e. living beings with souls!

This rocky landscape attracted the Jain munis [monks] from Shravanabelagola in Southern Karnataka who migrated down to Madurai for this special reason and settled in Pandya Country i.e. southern Tamilnadu and started their missionary work in 7^th (?) century.

Non availability of such rocky formations which served as the preferred shelters of the Jain munis of the past era, in Cauvery delta region might be one of the historical reasons, that the ancient Tanjore region/ Chola Country did not face the ancient Jain missionary onslaught.

Yanamalai and Arittapatti rock ranges appear to be a geographical continuity due to their locations, directions and above all as they appear to be similar ‘gneiss’ type of boulders which need further elucidation from the geologists.

We don’t know the age of these huge rock formations. But, whether it is relevant?

Anyhow, Arittapatti rocks might have transcended down through unknown number of bygone centuries.

Arittapatti hillock site is a heritage symbol of the Tamil Country as it bears the marks of history, spirituality and religion of this land. Moreover it is evident that this grandeur art work of nature has been accentuated by the unique local weather.

Arittapatti undoubtedly is an outstanding rocky formation and is a crown among all other rocky formations of the Pandya Country by its sheer beauty and magnificence.

Interestingly two lithographic inscriptions in Tamil Brahmi script found in Arittapatti by State Archeological Dept show connection of Tirunelveli region to this place.

Arittapatti is a symbol of Pandya heritage and a legacy of the ancient Tamil country.

The grand symphony orchestrated by the serene skylines, magnificent rocks, rhythm of winds, vast landscapes and its eerie scent, collage out a cosmic theatre and bid an ethereal experience that any visitor would simply slip into.

Is it not that transcending beyond the confines of physical realm through the very physicality is the essential idea of techniques advocated by the Indian spiritual traditions? Arittapatti exactly offers this experience!

Few minutes of silent observation with simple praanayaama [rhythmic deep breathing] and dhaarana [trying to be at the moment], give a pleasant experience in Arittapatti.

Each square inch of this ancient site is antique, artful and is a treasure-trove to be preserved as such to the posterity.

Let us just hope on the human sensibilities that it may prevail over and the lure for mining granite is not going to destabilize the divinity of this heritage site.

Related news videos to watch;

http://article.wn.com/view/2014/02/25/Arittapatti_village_cries_for_attention/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrGuBrK6Or0#t=46

The rest in visuals: