CENTER FOR ART AND ARCHAEOLOGY

The Sundaresvara temple at Melappalluvur is an early Chola temple that was originally built by Kandan Maravan. It was renovated several times during the reign of Rajaraja I (985-1014 CE) and Kulottunga I (1070-1122). There are two inscriptions built into the Amman shrine. One of the year of Uttama Chola (971-988 CE) and other from Rajaraja I's time (985-1014 CE). The earliest inscription is that of Aditya II's (968 CE) time. An inscription of Kulottunga I states that temple which had been built of brick and lay in a neglected state was rebuilt of stone for the welfare of the king by Kulottungacola Isvaram. There is a stone sculpture of the tutelary deity of Jamadagni (one of the seven sages / saptarishis) in this temple. The gateway (gopuram) with the door guardians (dvarapalas) is a part of the original early Chola temple. References: S.R. Balasubrahmanyam, 1963, pp. 25-28, D. Barrett, 1974, p. 85.

The Lord of the Sundaresvara temple at Paluvur is believed to be the deity worshipped by Jamadagni, the father of Parasurama of Puranic and epic fame. There are inscriptions from Uttama Chola (971 – 988 CE), Rajaraja I (985 – 1014 CE) and Kulottunga I (1070 – 1122 CE) on the temple. This temple has gone through several repairs and its ancient architectural features cannot be inferred from the present structure but it has an original early Chola gateway (gopuram) and a few sub-shrines. Reference: S.R. Balasubrahmanyam, 1963, pp. 25-28, S.R. Balasubrahmanyam, 1966, pp. 111-113.

Sundaresvara temple, Sendalai, Tamil NaduThe Sundaresvara temple at Sendalai is one of the older structural temples of the Muttaraiyars, possibly of the time of Cuvaran Maran or of his immediate descendant. There are about forty inscriptions on the wall of this temple covering the period of nearly 500 years from the latter part of the eighth century to the thirteenth century. The name of the deity of this temple is Tirupperundurai Mahadeva. Tirupperundurai was the place that was associated with Saiva saint Manikkavasagar but whether this place was associated with the life of the saint cannot be said with certainty. The temple was most likely a brick structure that was later rebuilt in stone in the days of Aditya I. Two inscriptions of Aditya I's time exist on the temple. There are four granite pillars used in the construction of a hall (mandapa) in front of the main shrine. That belonged to a temple at Nemam built by the Pallava king Nandivarman Pallava Malla II (731 – 796 CE). Some early sculptures of Brahma, Vishnu, Siva and Parvati and a few Saptmatrikas were found lying loose in the northern enclosure (prakara) and some of them were later moved to the Tanjavur Art Gallery. Reference: M.W. Meister and M.A. Dhaky, 1963, pp.135-137, S.R. Balasubrahmanyam, 1966, pp. 137-140.

Surya Kund, Modhera, Gujarat

Surya Temple, Abhapur (Polo)

Taj Mahal Complex, Agra