I was browsing through KAN Cola's and came across a statement, that Aditya I died near Kalahasthi, and a linga was placed on his remains (pallipadai?) which was an influence of Stupas errected by Bhuddists.
So, are buddhist's stupas are memorial errected on the ramains of the dead? And is the concept of Pallipadai derived out of these stupas??
A buddhist stupa may contain a relic ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Relic_of_the_tooth_of_the_Buddha) - an object of veneration. However placing a linga on remains is a very specific ritual - for those who have taken Siva deeksha - the mortal body is sacred and cannot be consigned to the flames - instead it is placed in a seated position inside the pit and coconuts are broken on the skull till it open liberating the soul - kabala motcham - literally meaning communion with the omni potent. once this is done as a symbolic measure a siva linga was placed on top ensuring the " connect". construction of a pallipadai temple over one such site is not a must nor is the converse true that it can be erected only for someone who has taken deeksha.
It is an ancient Tamil cult to raise "hero stones" over dead war lords. Mention of such hero stones are abundant in the cankam literature and in recent times, many such hero stones belonging to the 3rd or 2nd century BC ( some even claim 4thcentury BC ) have been found - Some with Brahmi scripts as well. Such hero stones were worshipped by people. I have seen some hero stones in worship even today. As the civilization advanced and peoplelearned to build temples, they would have started to construct temples for war lords / deceased kings. This idea could have been promoted further by the concept of Buddhist stupas.