Sri Mudikondeswara Temple, Mudigundam, Chamarajanagar District, Karnataka.

The visit to this temple at Mudigundam was a part of our Chozha period temples visit on the ancient trade route from Chamarajanagar to Kollegal (Gangapadi), in Karnataka State. During the Chozha period, this place was the capital of Mudikonda Chozhamandalam (a part of Gangapadi); hence, it obtained the name Mudikonda, which has been corrupted to the present name of Mudigundam.

Moolavar: Sri Mudikindeeswara.

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

The temple faces east with an entrance arch, and a stucco Nandhi is over the arch. Moolavar is on a Square avudayar. A water pot is made to hang on the top of the Shiva Linga to drip water at regular intervals. In Koshtam, Dakshinamurthy (on the back is Pichadanar/ Bickshadana fixed on the wall), Maha Vishnu, Brahma, and Durgai.

In the praharam, Chandikeswara (in a standing posture facing west), Ambal sannadhi, Navagrahas, Nagars, Chandran, and Suriyan.

Dwarapalakas

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, and ardha mandapam. A vimanam is over the sanctum without any stucco images. The sanctum sanctorum was built on a simple pada bandha adhistanam. The temple was renovated without alteration of the adhistanam. Happened to see a Tamil inscription on the floor.  

Ambal is in a separate temple with sanctum sanctorum and ardha mandapam. A small Vimanam is also on the sanctum sanctorum.

 

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The original temple was built during the Chozha period by the traders.  This place was called Mudikonda Solapuram alias Desi-Uyyakondapattinam. This and four others below the inscriptions in Tamil and Grantha characters of the 13^th century are engraved on the pillars.

This mentions that Tiruvarangaperumal, son of Kipa. Peruvaniyan-kuttandai of Mudigonda solapuram alias Desi-uyyakondapattinam, got the pillar made at the cost of 3 gadyanas.

An incomplete inscription refers to an individual ( name lost ) of Perumarudur Puduppalli who got a pillar made.

Another inscription records that a pillar was the gift of Siramadevan, son of Ayupillai of Perialttur.

The donor of this Pillar was Pattividivandai of the village of Ogaiyur.

Another Inscription gives the names of the donor of the pillar and of his father. But they are only partly preserved. It refers to Marudur.

Reference

Epigraphia Carnatika

Inscription on the Kumudam

Inscription on the floor slab - may be done during renovations

TEMPLE TIMINGS

Since orukala pooja is conducted, the closing and opening times are unpredictable. 

HOW TO REACH:

This place, Mudigundam, is on the bus route from Chamarajanagar to Kollegal. 37 km from Chamarajanagar, 3 km from Kollegal, 63 km from Mysore, and 143 km from Bangalore.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE (GPS Co-ordination 12.142887,77.092752).

Durgai - in koshtam

Dakshinamurthy - Pichadanar is on the back

Maha Vishnu in Koshtam

Brahma - in koshtam

Chandikeswara

Monkey stucco relief on Ambal Temple entrance

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---