CENTER FOR ART AND ARCHAEOLOGY

Tirumalai Nayakar Mahal Site Museum, Madurai

The Tirutantonisvara temple at Tiruci can tentatively be assigned to Aditya I's reign (871 - 907 CE) though it could as well be assigned to Vijayalaya's time (850-871 CE). The displaced inscriptions on the temple suggest rebuilding of the temple. While the inscriptions do not date before the late tenth century, the temple architecture and associated sculpture belong to earlier time period. For example, the door guardians (dvarapalas) inside seem archaic and their hand gestures do not commonly occur in early Chola examples. However, the figures in the divinity niches (devakosthas) are somewhat of a later period. References: M.W. Meister and M.A. Dhaky, 1963, p. 153.

Tirunavalur holds an honoured place in Saivite hagiology, as it is the birthplace of Tamil saint Sundaramurti Nyanar. There were once three Siva temples and a Vishnu temple here. One of the Siva temples was an old Pallava temple called Kalinarisvaram. The principal deities of the other two Siva temples were Rajaditta Isvarrattu Mahadevar and Tiru Agastyesvarattu Mahadevar however the Agastyesvaram temple cannot be traced now. The Rajaditta Isvaram temple that is commonly known as Bhaktajanesvaram or Tiruttondisvaram is extant. There are twenty-nine inscriptions relating to Parantaka I (907-954 CE). These are inscriptions mention donation of gifts to the temple and also reflect the political anarchy that prevailed in the region consequent on the Rashtrakuta invasion by Krishna III (953 – 954 CE). The temple received the devoted homage and munificence of kings and nobles throughout the period of Chola rule. This temple houses bronzes of Natraja and Bhikshatanar and metals of Sundaramurti and his two consorts and of his patron Munaiyadaraiyan. References: S.R. Balasubrahmanyam, 1971, pp. 64-67.

The Tiruvagnisvara temple at Tirukattupalli perhaps came into existence in the latter part of reign of Parantaka I (907 - 954 CE) or Gandaraditya (949 - 957 CE). The temple faces the west and the original temple consisted only of the sanctum sanctorum (garbagriha) with the tower over it and the front hall (ardhamandapa). The mouldings of the basement are plain. At a later stage an entrance porch (mukhmandapa) and an Amman temple were added. A fine Nandi of the tenth century is found on a pedestal in a mandapa of its own in front of the temple. There are also images of Brahma and Vishnu, Chandesvarar, Jyeshthadevi and Bhairavar. References: S.R. Balasubrahmanyam, 1971, pp.64-67.

The Tiruverumbiyur Alvar temple at Tiruverumbur is of great antiquity. The legend says that Indra and other devas in the form of ants worshipped the Lord of the place and gained their salvation. Also Karan, brother of Trisiras (the three-headed son of Tvashta and grandson of Hiranyakashipu), the great eponymous hero of Tiruchy, assumed the form of an ant, adored the Lord and attained His grace. Besides, Lakshmi, Agni, Muruga, an Agastya are said to have worshipped the Lord and gained their salvation. The existence of this temple in the seventh century is attested by the hymns of the Tamil saint Apppar but how far earlier the temple was in existence cannot be ascertained. There is conflicting evidence regarding the origin of the present temple in the early Chola period and it is difficult to unravel the chronology of the various inscriptions. A scholar has suggested that the temple was built by a Tattan Sendi on or before the fourth year of Aditya I and Sembiyan Vedi Velan made extensive additions to the temple in the days of Gandaraditya. The name of the deity of the temple is Aditta Bhattarar. Reference: S.R. Balasubrahmanyam, 1966, pp.114-123.

Tivim, Baroque Architecture, Goa