KUDAKKALLU- ANCIENT UMBRELLA STONE IN KERALA

Kerala is located in the southern part of India. Stunning natural beauty, beaches and a very relaxed way of life typify this land. For this reason, it has become a staple for tourists visiting South indiaThese strange megalithic monuments were possibly ancient burial sites. Because of the structure, they look like giant umbrellas. As a result, the name comes from the shape of the monument. KudaKkallu literally translates to “Umbrella Stones”.

The ancients used to bury their dead. They then put up curvilinear blocks around the hollow space in between. Another block on top to make the whole structure look like an umbrella!

In some sites, the top-block of the Kudakkallu is placed on the ground. This is called a ThoppiKkallu. The literal translation is “HatThe “KudaKkallu” and “ThoppiKkallu” are located mainly in central Kerala, around Thrissur and Kochi. Some of the more prominent locations are Chowwannur, Kandanassery, Porkulam, Kattakampal, Eyyal and Ariyannur.

The Archeological Survey of India estimates the Kodakuthy Kallu or KudaKkallu in KudaKkallu Parambu of Chermanangad in Thrissur district to be over 4000 years old. They believe that the ancients  buried their dead in earthen urns under these stones.KudaKkallu Parambu of Chermanangad has 69 megalithic monuments. The government now prtects this area.

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MEGALATHIC MONUMENTS

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The term "megalith" (mega: massive; lith: stone) is used to describe these monuments due to the use of large stone blocks in construction. Archaeological literature around the world use this term to refer to a variety of monuments. The studies point to the indigenous development of the ancient Kerala society and its culture beginning from the Paleolithic age, and its continuity through Mesolithic, Neolithic and Megalithic ages.However, foreign cultural contacts have assisted this cultural formation. Archaeological studies have identified many Mesolithic, Neolithic and Megalithic sites in Kerala.These findings can be classified as Menhirs (Pulachikallu), Hood stones (Kudakkallu), Stone circle, Sarcophagus (Savakallara), Hat stones (Toppikallu), Snake hood stones(Pathikkallu), Urn burials(Nannangadi),Cairn (Vazhiyadayaalam).  in the northern parts of the country, the megalithic monuments discovered in the state are considered to be remnants of the Iron Age. Different types of c...
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