Kongu Nadu - Peruvali : Travelling down the ages

SHANKAR VANAVARAYAR

A network of ancient roadways criss-crossed the Kongu region

ROAD MAP TO DEVELOPMENT The highways in Kongu Nadu PHOTO: PRIVATE COLLECTION

Man has moved from place to place from times immemorial and travelled many miles exploring lands far and wide. Roadways, therefore, have always played a vital role in communication.

Many roads in the Kongu region go back centuries. Probably why our region developed faster than others.

There are references to `Peruvali', or highroads, in records from the Sangam era. These roads also had check posts that served as collection points for taxes. In later periods, there were roads and highways connecting the Chola, Chera and Pandya kingdoms.

A highway through the city

One such highway passed right through our city, originating at Perur and passing through Manniyur (Annur), Nallur, Ukkiram and Vinnappalli before culminating in Sathyamangalam. From there, it led to the northern Ganga country.

While these highways might not be comparable to modern-day expressways given the limited material and know-how available, they were more than adequate for the modes of transport that existed then. These roads were cart tracks that were cleared of vegetation and rocks. Some of these roads were 30 feet wide. They occasionally had stone structures called Summai Thangi, which allowed weary travellers to set down their heavy burdens and rest awhile.

These ancient roads still connect many towns and villages. Old structures and ancient temples along these roads stand testimony to their age. Records of the number of roads that existed then indicate the great volumes of traffic that they handled.

Mentioned below are some of the important highways and roads in the Kongu region:

Kongap Peruvali

This road connected the Chola country to Kongu. Early Chola records date this road to the time of Parantaka I. The road is said to have passed through Tiruvanaikaval and Srirangam. It reached Kovanputtur and Perur through Karur, Suralur, Kangayam and Palladam. Even today, the same route is used to reach Trichy.

Viranarayanan Peruvali

This is the Kangayam Erode road that linked Erode and Bhavani to Dharapuram.

Kongakula Vali Vadi

This road is mentioned in inscriptions at the Perur temple. This roadway connected Kovanputtur (Coimbatore) and Polilvaychchi (Pollachi). This road also linked Kongap Peruvali at Nachchinallur (Nachchipalayam) near Madukkarai. The National Highway at Othakaalmandapam runs through this stretch today. The road extended beyond Pollachi to Kolumam and onward to Palani. It also connected the passage to Aliyar and Anamalais.

Kolumattirkuppora Peruvali

This road, connecting Palani and Kolumam, lay in the south of the Kongu region and ran all the way between Coimbatore and Palani.

Nattup Peruvali

This was perhaps the precursor to the modern Karur-Trichy highway. This roadway was one of the major highways of the region.

K. S. Vaidyanathan, in his book, `The Ancient Geography of The Kongu Country', gives a detailed account of the roads of the Kongu region. Some of these roadways exist and are sprinkled with old buildings, ancient temples with inscriptions, water bodies, Summai Thangis and old trees.

Along the way, communities that originally hailed from these places or migrated from elsewhere still flourish. Studying and researching these communities reveal valuable insights about the lifestyles of the people who lived there then.

These roadways were the precursor to the modern national corridors and expressways. The number of roadways in this area proves it was a region to reckon with and that Coimbatore was a transit point for many roads that connected various kingdoms and important principalities.

Of all the ancient roadways in Kongu, Peruvali still exists in parts today. This road runs not far from our city. At one time, common travellers, traders, armies and even the Romans had traversed through it. It was called Rajakesari Peruvali after King Rajakesari who ruled from Koli (Uraiyur). It is said that he was the Chola who conquered the Kongu region.

The highway exists in its original state in some parts. There are inscriptions that praise the king for providing a shadow army for the safety of the traders who travelled with precious cargo. This road exists between Ayyaswamimalai and Dharmalingamalai and one can trace it between Perur and Madhukarai also. It is said that it connected the Kongu region with Kerala.

According to Mr. Jayaraman, a heritage enthusiast from Perur who has often visited parts of the ancient highway, "It is a place of beauty and great historical importance". One can find rock cut grinders and loops to tie animals, water bodies, stone embankments and Summai Thangis. It is imperitive that this archaeologically important highway be maintained in its existing form for posterity and safeguarded against commercial activities.

Courtesy: http://www.hindu.com/mp/2005/12/03/stories/2005120302860200.htm

Kodiveri Dam : WaterWorld

Kodiveri Where you can just be, writes SUBHA J RAO

Hold your breath! It's the Kodiveri dam. Photo: K. Ananthan

The entrance to the anicut at Kodiveri is a study in stunning contrast. On one side of the bridge, water flows without as much as a ripple. The other side, it gushes with bottled fury. Walk a little further to reach a vast expanse of water, and see it force itself through a layered surface hewn out of a rock face, taking on the shape of two frothy mini waterfalls (thanks to the 4.6 metre drop down stream). Waiting bathers shout with joy under the spray. Onlookers cannot help get wet too, the misty spray enveloping you in chillness.

Time has almost stood still in the breathtaking anicut, built in the 17th Century by a Mysore king who harnessed the strength of his prisoners and elephants to carve through a 20-foot mass of cyclopean stones. The stones have been interlocked with iron-bars and clamps and mortared with lead, none of which you can see when water is in full flow during the monsoons. The anicut was intended to channel the water from the Bhavani Sagar Dam into two canals and irrigate fields. During British rule, some improvements were carried out without tampering the original design. Water from the dam is let into the anicut in the summer months, when the depth can reach as much as 10 feet. During the rest of the year, rainwater feeds it.

It is only recently that people seem to have woken up to the temptations of Kodiveri. Once it was regarded as little more than a great place to eat fresh fried fish and possibly lounge about with friends. Now, it seems pregnant with possibilities. Bobbing in the water on a coracle is one option, though the rate for a ride will depend on your capacity to bargain. The lake is 150 metres long and you can sit back enjoying the grass scented breeze. A nungu-laden palm tree that has decided to make the water its retirement home is an interesting sight and flying fish shoot up as if to sneak a look at the land ever so often.

Coax the boatman into taking you a little farther and you can catch fisherfolk in action, laying nets for the next morning's catch. Go near Akkarai Kodiveri (or the other bank) and you'll be tempted to snap off delicious looking green mangoes that hang tantalisingly close. The fear of an upturned coracle or the possibility of provoking an angry farmer keeps me honest.

How to go there?

Kodiveri Dam is about 10 km from Gobichettipalayam and 55 km from Erode. If driving down from Coimbatore, go up to Sathyamangalam and take the Gobi Road.

Thirteen kilometres later, Kodiveri greets you.

Courtesy: http://www.hindu.com/mp/2005/04/16/stories/2005041601570100.htm