The Heritage Club here has discovered at least four ‘Sati’ temples in the district, widely called as ‘Maalai temples’, built to offer worship to women who committed self-immolation after the death of their husbands.
V. Rajaguru, an archaeological aficionado and convenor of Heritage Club at SSAM Government Higher Secondary School, Tirupullani, discovered the temples — old and dilapidated mandapam-like four-pillared structures — during his field visit to Narippaiyur and Kokkarasankottai in Kadaladi block.
Mr. Rajaguru found that they were ‘Maalai temples’ built on the burial sites of warriors and heroes, who laid down their lives during battles and while performing heroic acts, after their wives committed ‘sati’.
“The four-pillared temple near Bharatha Matha High School in Narippaiyur has distinct Pandya style of architecture and could date back to the 13th century,” Mr. Rajaguru told The Hindu on Saturday. Three such temples were found in Narippaiyur. Statutes were missing in the temples, except for a half-broken statue in one temple which indicated that it could be of a warrior, he said.
Local people had no details about the temples but called them ‘Maalaiyadi’ temples, indicating that the temples were built to offer worship and in gratitude of ‘Maalai’ (woman) who committed ‘sati’, he said.
There were no inscriptions in the temples, he said, adding the pillars and corbels in one of the temples had a mark of Pandya architectural style, prevalent during the 13th century, he said.
The other two temples in the area could date back to the 15th century Vijayanagar period. Sandstones had been used for construction of these temples, he added.
Descendents of a woman, who committed self-immolation after her husband died after falling from a horse, still offered worship at a 18th century ‘sati’ temple at Kokkarankottai near Sayalkudi. Worship was also offered at ‘Maalai Amman’ temple in Vembar in Tuticorin district which was six km away from the place, Mr. Rajaguru said.
Further exploration was needed to establish the exact periods of these temples and the purpose for which they were built, eminent archaeologist V. Vedachalam said.
The Archaeological Survey of India could conduct a study to explore them further, he suggested.
