Sri Kuduminathar Temple, Kudumiyanmalai / Thirunalangundrathu Perumanadigal Temple, Kudumiyanmalai, Pudukkottai District, Tamil Nadu.

 29^th September 2018.

The visit to this temple is a part of Pudukkottai Heritage Visit. Kudumiyanmalai was ruled by Vaanaathirayars, Irukku Velir, Early Pandyas, Pallavas, Latter Chozhas, Latter Pandyas, Nayaks and Thondaimans.  The remains of earlier human settlement are found around Kudumiyanmalai. The natural shelter on the hills are used as human habitation in the early times.  The Jain monks also lived in the same natural shelters. Tamizhi inscriptions are found on the Jain beds. The temple complex consists of  stone masonry temples and Rock cut cave temple.

Moolavar    : Sri Kuduminathar / Thirunalankundrathu Perumanadigaal

Consort      : Sri Akilandeswari

Some of the important features of this temple are...

The temple is facing east with a Rajagopuram base pillars, but without super structure. The Vasantha mandapam is immediately after the entrance has 24 statue pillars, was built during Nayak period. On the right side is the 1000 pillar mandapam. 

The Kuduminathar sanctum sanctorum consists of  Sanctum, Antarala, Artha mandapam, Maha mandapam and a mukha mandapam. Vimanam over the sanctum is very much similar to Rajagopuram has the images of Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu and Brahma. Urchavars are in maha mandapam. In koshtam Pickshadanar and Kotravai.

Sri Akilandeswari Amman Temple is on the north west corner of the temple complex. A 2 tier vimana is on the sanctum. The Vimana was built during 12-13^th century. After Amman sannadhi is the mukamandapa, a 12 pillar mandapam,  on the east and a 6 pillar mandapa, It was learnt that Pudukkottai Thondaiman  kings used to conduct their coronation functions in the Amman’s 24 pillar Mandapa also called as Chokkatan mandapa. A big size stone slab is paved especially for this functions.

In the outer prakaram, a 1000 pillar mandapam, Madapalli, Urchava Mandapa, Soundaranayaki Amman sannadhi, Vinayagar sannidhi and Akilandeswari Amman Temple. On the south side of the Rock cut cave temple is Sri Soundaranayai Amman temple / Malai Mangai Amman sannadhi, was built by one devaradiyar Durgaiyandi’s daughter Nachi during 13^th Century Veera Pandiyan period.

There are more than 120 inscriptions  found on Moolavar, Sri Akilandeswari Amman Sanctum, Soundara Nayaki Amman sanctum, Madapalli and Prakara walls. The inscriptions mainly speaks about donations made in the form of gold, land, taxes, irrigation, judgement made for the offences, auction sale, etc,. One of the Chozha king Koparakesari Panmar Parantaka Chozha’s 15^th year rule inscription mentions that his son Kothandaraman donated 15 thulai gold towards burning of a perpetual lamp.  Most of the inscriptions speaks about donation made for the burning of perpetual lamp. Another Pandya period inscription on the Amman sannadhi wall gives the detail of returning back the kingdom of Chozhas.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTION

As per one of the Pudukottai inscription the hill is also called as Thirunalangunram and Iraivan is also called as Shikamaninathar. The Rock cut cave might have been excavated during 7th century or before with the presence of Parivadini ( a musical instrument -7 String Veena ) inscription. 

Utsava Mandapam

Pudukkottai Thondaiman Kings Coronation 24 Pillar Chokkattan mandapam 

Rasi and Nakshatra mandalam

Pandya's inscription of returning back the Kingdom to Chozhas

The Tamil Inscription in the form of poem inscribed at the Rajagopuram entrance 

தென்னவன் செய்ய பெருமான் திருமதுரை

மன்னவன்தன் மால்களிற்று வல்லிக்கும் -பொன்னிநாட்டு

ஆலிக்கும் தானை அபயன் குலமகளிர்

தாலிக்கும் ஒன்றே தலை.

பொன்னி வளநாடு பாணன் பெறப்புரந்தான்

சென்னிதிரு மார்பில்சேல் தீட்டினான் - முன்னே

புரம்எரிவார் மண்சுமக்கப் பூபாரம் காத்தான்

தரம்அரியான் மீனவர்கோன் தான்.

கன்னி வளநாடான் காவேரி நாடாளச்

சென்னி விழுந்தோடும் சேவடிகள் - பொன்இரை

எரிகாலும் கான நடத்திச் சென்னியையும்

கரிகாலன் ஆக்கிடவோ காண்".

பாண்டியரின் வெற்றிச் சிறப்பும், சோழரை வென்று அந்நாட்டைப் பாணனுக்கு அளித்ததும், சோழர் மார்பில் மீன்சின்னம் பொறித்ததும், சிவன் பிட்டுக்காக மண்சுமந்ததும், சோழர் தோற்று ஓடியதையும் இப்பாடல்கள் கூறுகின்றன. 

THIRU METRALI ( ROCK CUT CAVE TEMPLE )

The Rock cut cave temple called Melakovil by the locals is  on the foot hills, excavated during 8^th century, once called as Thirumulattanam / Thirumetrali. Vinayagar and Dwarapalakas are on the walls of the sanctum in artha mandapam. The Shiva Linga with square avudayar, an integral part of the mother rock is in the sanctum. The sanctum in side walls are finished neatly with motif  on all four sides of the roof. The Cave temple consists of sanctum, artha mandapam and a Mukha mandapam The front Muka mandapam was built at a latter state, abutting the artha mandapam. The artha mandapam was supported by 2 square pillars and 2 pilasters with a platform constructed by Raghunatha Thondaiman. Somaskandar and Chandikeswarar is in sukhasana are in the Mukha mandapa.

INSCRIPTIONS

There are 45 inscriptions found in the Rock cut cave temple. Out of 45, 26 are in muka/ front pillars, 18 are in mandapa walls and one on sanctum pilaster.  These inscriptions belongs to Pandya ( Oldest ) and Chozha period. The inscriptions mentions Kuduminathar as “Thirunalagunrathu Perumanadigal” and mainly speaks about the donations.

MUSICAL INSCRIPTIONS:

This inscription is on the left side of the rock cut cave temple on the rock. From the inscriptions,  this place was called as Thirunalagundram, Kundriyur during early Pandiya period and Kudumiyanmalai from 17^th century.

On the left side of the Rock cut cave temple, 12^th Century 4 feet Vinayagar is carved. By the side of the Vinayagar is the famous Musical inscriptions. The inscription speaks about the music, believed  to be inscribed in 7^th Century. The  inscription is in 7 parts and  starts with Sitham Namasivaya. As per the experts the inscription describes the Ragas and some experts of the opinion that this is the South India’s basic musical rules.

On the back side  of the Rock cut cave temple on the hill rock Shiva and Parvati are sitting on Rishabam in the form of Rishabaroodar, on both sides 63 Nayanmars are shown on both sides carved in the form of bas-relief.

The Musical inscription on the sides of 4 feet Vinayakar

Rishabaroodar with Nayanmars on both sides

HOW TO REACH: 
Kudumiyanmalai is 19.5 KM from Pudukkottai and 60 KM from Trichy.

Kudumiyanmalai is on the bus route from Pudukkottai to Maraparai.

Nearest Railway station is Pudukkottai.

LOCATION: CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---