#6B8E23 Dr. R. Nagaswamy 15-Sep-2007 Vellalur Hoard of Roman coins Tamil nadu has yielded a large number of treasure trove finds for the last two hundred years of which the Vellalur hoards are the most famous as they yielded a very large number of Roman coins in gold, silver and bronze, besides remarkable gold jewellery some of which are undoubtedly of Mediterranean origin. Vellalur is a part of the modern Town of Coimbatore. The first hoard of Roman coins was found as far back as 1841. Subsequently coins have been found from the same village in 1843, 1891, 1931 and 1939 . Over 650 gold coins of Augustus (14 AD) and 500 silver coins and other jewellery have been found Among the jewelley the most striking one is a golden ring showing a composite figure of a dwarf with a clown like cap which has a opened mouth on top. When it is turned on the side the same figure appears like Sea monster with a tail. When the same is again turned upside down it shows the head of a warrior with an elaborate head gear. Several rings like the Vellalur ring were found in the Mediterranean region and are now preserved in the Royal cabinet collection of Belgium. The of this type of Gold ring at Vellalur as a treasure found buried near Coimbatore proves beyond doubt that the Kongu country was in active trade with the Roman Empire. The finds are dateable to 1st 2nd cent. CE. In addition the hoard also consisted of several other gold rings one of which show a fish emblem incised on it. Another one shows a lion standing with its front paw raised and the tail curved and standing as found in later Vishnukundin Coins. There is a lovely gold necklace chain included among the finds which shows intricate workmanship. Also included in the group are two gold pendants with triratna motif over a circular disc . There is a cornelian ring which carries a beautiful horse standing obviously used in a ring. These finds show the works of two classes of artisans found in this collection: the Yavanas who are known for their excellent sculptural skill and the other is that native artists who have also perfected their art. The Tamil epic Manimekhalai speaks of four classes artists working with the Tamil artisits in Tamilnad: they were artists from Magadha, Maratta, Avanti (Modern Ujjaini), and Yavanas jointly working with Tamil vinaijnar. This mutual borrowing was a high mark of the period. This find proves that right in the heart of the Kongu country there were the International traders at Coimbatore. Vellalur temple Two inscriptions have been copied from the Siva temple this village. The records were said to be on stones lying buried in the temple and were found while renovation. (They are published in the Coimbatore District Inscriptions Vol I, Inscription number 124 and 125 of 2004, Published by the Tamilandu State Archaeology Department in 2006.The earliest record is dated in the 9th cent. The king’s name is lost but the regnal year is given as the 12th year. The village is called as “Velialur Tennur” in the inscription and the Siva temple is called as Tennur nakkan koil. A certain Nakkan Marudan endowed ten Kalanju of gold, in the hand of the village assembly for burning a lamp in the temple. The land donated to the temple remained fallow for nearly 40 years. The brother in law of the donor named Uran Murugan doubled that endowment increasing it twenty kalanju and entrusted the same with the village sabha . It was stipulated that from the proceeds of the (interest) nine day’s annual festival was to be conducted and the perpetual lamp was to be burnt regularly. Evidently the temple was in existence prior to 9th cent. The second inscription was a record of the Kongu king, Kokkandan Viranarayan, recording the endowment of twelve and a half kalanju of gold, for burning a day lamp in the temple. The endowment was made by one Katti Ariyan from Velpurai nadu. The lamp was to be burnt by the village sabha from the interest accruing from the gold deposit. Siva linga The present temple has undergone renovation recently. There are two sculptures in the temple that could be attributed to pre 9th cent and they are the Main Linga in the sanctum and the other a Ganesa image. The main Sivalinga is made of white granite stone . Its pedestal square in form is also made of the same stone with well pronounced mouldings pointing to its early character. The linga is the original one of the temple mentioned in the 9th cent inscription as Tennur Nakkan. Ganesa The Ganesa sculpture is also a very fine early sculpture, with four hands, seated with the rear upper right hand holding the broken tusk, and the left holding a bunch of corns. The front right hand holds a ladduka, and the left is placed on the thigh. There is a broad upavita going over the right arm. Ganesa’s head is adorned with a short mukuta. Rudraksha mala is seen on his neck, and arms. The head and the trunk are proportionate and realistic. Ganesa has got a pleasing belly which is not bulging as in later sculptures. There are certain peculiarities in the portrayal of this Ganesa.. Ganesa is said to have broken the right tusk to write the Mahabharata epic on the slopes of the Himalayas and that Ganesa held the broken tusk in his front right hand, whereas in the present one the tusk is held in the rear right hand. The front hand is holding a ladduka, generally shown on the left front hand. The front left hand is shown hanging by the side as if placed on the left knee. However one may see a sharp pointed tusk end on the right side of the trunk. The end tip is not the original but recently added to give a full form. It is also made of white granite, though the oil application gives slightly a blackish colour. The presence of the main linga and the Ganesa show that the present temple is the original temple complex though the structures have undergone some redoing. The linga and the Ganesa may be assigned to 8th or even late 7th cent. The temple has a compound and other new additions. An entrance structure has been added in recent times. As both the inscriptional records mention the Village assembly as sabha to look after the temple endowments it is clear that the village had a colony of Brahmins who supervised the same.