VELUDHARAN TEMPLES VISIT : A Shiva Temple at Kundani, The ruined Capital City of Hoysala Dynasty under Veera Ramanathan's Rule, Krishnagiri district, Tamil Nadu.

Monday, 19 March 2018

A Shiva Temple at Kundani, The ruined Capital City of Hoysala Dynasty under Veera Ramanathan's Rule, Krishnagiri district, Tamil Nadu.

A continuation Post to Krishnagiri Heritage Visit, Kundani, the ruined Capital City of the Hoysala Dynasty

11^th March 2018.

Krishnagiri region was ruled by Pallavas, Gangas, Nulambas, Cholas, Pandyas, Hoysalas, Vijaya Nagar Emperors, Bijapur Sultans, Wodeyars of Mysore, and Nayaks of Madurai since it is a passage between North India to South India. Krishnagiri is located between small hills that have prehistoric human shelters, Megalithic period Dolmens, rock paintings, etc.

This is a continuation post to Kundani, the Ruined capital city of the Hoysala Dynasty under King Veera Ramanathan’s rule. This temple is about a km from Kundhani Mallama’s temple. The temple is in a dilapidated condition with an entrance arch (Mottai Gopuram) on the south side and a big Mandapam.

The temple was constructed with a praharam. The 13th-century inscriptions are found in the base. Though it is a ruined temple, it is surprising to note that regular poojas are conducted to Lord Shiva. There are no images in the koshtams. In the praharam at one place roof slab has been supported with a wooden post. It is sad to note that during renovation, some of the hero stones erected outside the sanctum were used as praharam roof slabs.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of the sanctum sanctorum, antarala, and an ardha mandapam. The mandapam on the left of the sanctum sanctorum was found reasonably in good condition. The condition of the temple is in a dilapidated condition.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

There are about 11 hero stones, and an inscription panel is kept as a roof slab. One of the hero stones has Tamil inscriptions about the hero and how he died. It was interesting to note in one hero stone, while the hero was fighting with his enemy, he was stabbed in his back.