Kodumbalur-கொடும்பாளூர்-மூவர் கோவில்

 Kodumbalur

Kodumbalur is 36 km from Pudukkottai. Kodumbalur is the site of some structural temples of great beauty. Their merit marks them out as among the most outstanding monuments in India. Two monuments alone are survived. They are the celebrated Muvarkoil and Muchu-kundesvara-koil. There are survivals of an Aivar-koil and of another Siva temple. It is Muvar-koil, which is the centre of attraction. They were built by Boodhi Vikrama Kesari, a general of the Chola army in the 10th century A.D. One of the Irukku Velirs who ruled this place, named Idangazhi Nayanar is included n the canons of the 63 Nayanmars. This place was also a stage of fierce battles between the Pandyas and the Pallavas. The architecture of this temple is unique among the temples of south India. The sculptures of kalarimurthi, Gaja (Elephand) Samharamurthi, Gangadaramurthi etc. are unique masterpieces. Nearby is the temple dedicated to Muchukun-deswarar of the early Chola period.

 Muvar Koil in Tamil means ‘temple for three deities/persons’. This complex is known by this name probably because it has three temples inside. Only two out of these three have survived fully while the third one has only the basement remaining now. Local traditions and folklore give some interesting interpretations of the term ‘Muvar’. As per one belief, Shiva saints (Nayanar-s) Appar, Sundarar and Manikkavachakar built one shrine each. Another belief states that kings of three major dynasties Chera, Chola and Pandya constructed one shrine each. One another tradition states that these three shrines were constructed to house Hindu Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. As per a foundation inscription on south wall of the north-most temple, these temples were constructed by Kodumbalur Velir chief Bhuti Vikramakesari on behalf of himself and his two wives, Karrali and Varaguna. Bhuti Vikramakesari was a contemporary of the Chola ruler Aditya I hence these temples would have been constructed in middle of 10th century CE. This complex can be assigned to the early phase of the Chola architectural activities.

Muchukundesvara Temple
Situated to the north of Muvarkoil(1km), this temple was built by Mahimalaya Irukkuvel in early tenth century A.D. The presiding deity is referred to as Tiru. Mudukunram Udaiyar in the inscription. The temple originally consisted of a grabhagriha (sanctum, 4.11m square) and an ardha-mandapa, all facing all facing all east. The adhishthana has plain mouldings and has a bhutagana frieze below the cornic and a yali freize above it. The closed maha-mandapa and the Amman shrine are later additions. Only four of the original eight sub-shrines are found intact-one is empty and the other three are dedicated to Subramanya, Chandesvara and Bhairava.

Well

 

Muchu Kundesvara Temple – Referred as Mudukunram temple in its inscriptions, this temple was built by Mahimalaya Irukkuvel, chief of Kodumbalur, in 920 CE during 4th year of the reign of Chola king Parantaka I. This east facing temple was repaired and extended in 13th century when a maha-mandapa and a Devi shrine was added to the complex. The temple is built in parivara style like Muvar Koil. However compared to sixteen sub-shrines of Muvar Koil, this temple has only seven out of which remains of four can be seen.