Carved in a very different style, this depiction of a foreign, possibly Dutch, trader was probably added at a much later date for unknown reasons.
Just a kilometer away in the fort of Sadras the Dutch traded for over two centuries, between approximately 1600 and 1800 CE.
They are known to have made regular touristic visits to the area around Tirukallukundram, some kilometers further west.
Photo by Raja Deekshithar, August 2009
Granite
approximately early 14th century