The visit to this Kadambar Koil, at Kadamba Malai
near Narthamalai was a part of Heritage Visit to temples around Keeranur in
Pudukkottai District, organized by “Yaaooyakay – யாஊயாகே” group on 2nd
and 3rd, October 2021. It was told that the temple was built inside
a fort and the remains of the walls can be seen.
Moolavar : Kadambu
Udaya Nayanar
The temple is facing North west direction in
orientation with the Hill, Kadambar malai.
The Temple tank is in front. Prakara walls are built only on three
sides. Two balipeedas and a Rishabam are
between the Temple tank and the entrance. Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of
ardha mandapam. Dakshinamurthy is alone in the koshtam.
In ardha mandapam loose sculptures of Brahma, Uma Maheswara,
etc,. In praharam Ambal / Durgai (..?), Saptamatrikas in two panels and
Vinayagar. A Shiva Linga and 2 Chandikeswarar are carved on the rock in the form
of a bas-relief.
ARCHITECTUREThe main temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala,
ardha mandapam and mukha mandapam. Ambal shrine built at a latter stage is on
the south side of the main temple. The main temple followed the Dravidian style
of architecture with adhisthana, bitti, prastaram, Greevam, Sigaram and Stupi.
An ekathala Vimana is on the sanctum sanctorum.
The adhisthanam consists of Upanam, Padmam vari,
kampu, Jagathi, small atho padmam, small oorthuva padma, vrutha Kumuda, small
atho padmam, kampu, kandam, kampu, oorthuva padmam, pattikai, atho padmam and
kampu. As per Kasyapa silpa sastra the
style of architecture is Pushba pushkalam in pada bandha adhisthanam.
The vethigai is with kandam ( with kanda pada ),
kampu, oorthuva padmam, pattikai and kampu.
The Bitti / pada varga or the walls are supported with Vishnu kanda pilasters.
The pilasters consists of Asuvapatham, 8 surface leg, idaikattu, kalasam,
thadi, Kumbham, Padma mandi and Palakai. Deva koshtas are at the centre of
bitti, with Nakulapada pilasters. Veerakandam, Utharam and prastaram are on the
above pillars. Kapotha, viyalavari, two
nasikudus, Kodipalai and maiya palai are on the prastaram. Nasikoodus are with
kaadam, thorana and flower arrangements. Vedhigai, big Nasikoodu are on the
sutra Vimana. The Vimanam is of Dravidian style.
The Greeva is on the square tala with round / vrutha with 4 koshtas. Koshta images are of stucco
and found in damaged condition. Sigaram is also vrutha / vesara with maha
nasis, Chandra mandala. Stupi is also similar to the sigaram. Since the
complete vimana is constructed with stone, Vimana is called as Sudha Vimanam,
greevam and sigaram are in round / vurutha shape called as Vaijayanthi and alpa
Vimana ( Ekathala ).
Antarala is with two pillar panchara. Mukha mandapa
is very much similar to prastaram of sanctum sanctorum and central koshta has
the pathra thorana. The Maha mandapa base / adhisthanam is with Upanam,
Padmavari and Kampu. The Maha mandapa is with three angas Chithra kanda pillars
with nagabandam, pothyal, uthram thangi and roof.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONSThis temple was built during Pallava period by the Mutharaiyars.
The Inscriptions recorded from this temple and on the rocks belongs to Rajaraja-I,
Rajendra-II, Kulothunga-I, Maravarman Sundara Pandyan and Vijayanagars. The inscriptions
of Rajaraja-I and Rajendra-II are inscribed on the surface prepared exclusively
for these inscriptions. As per the inscriptions this place was called as
Rettapadikonda Chozhavalanattu annalvayil Kootrathu Telugukulakalapuram. During
Kulothunga Period this place was called as Kulothunga Chozha Pattinam.
Rajendra Chozha-II’s 4th reign year
inscription records the Vanika kuzhu ( group ), Thisaiyaayirathu
Ainnurruvar. In that A Merchant Arumozhi, who belongs to Narthamalai was
fixed a betrothal, Kattileruthal, one of the marriage ritual with a Girl. This
was objected by Thillai Koothan and some people. They also arranged another
betrothal with Raman’s daughter and compelled Arumozhi. On hearing this the
previous Girl took poison and died. The Vanika Kuzhu ordered Arumozhi to construct
a Temple for Sangu Parameswari Amman and light a nandha deepam, as a parikara.
Rajaraja
Chozha’s 22nd reign year inscription records his complete meikeerthi
/ title and endowment of burning a perpetual lamp for which 2 Kalanju gold was
gifted by a person of Keralanthaka valanattu Annavayil Kootrathu
Kizhathayanallur.
Rajaraja
Chozha’s 28th reign year inscription records his complete meikeerthi
/ title and gift of land with its periphery limits and the inscription is
incomplete.
Thiribhuvana
Chakravarthy Rajendra’s period inscription records that a land was gifted to
Akalanga Achari for doing thirupani to this temple’s, Thiruvanaika Udaya
nayanar temple and Nachimar Temple along
with his father. During that time
Thirukodu Devar was installed by them and for the same as dakshina /
remuneration was the above land gifted.
Sundara
Pandyan’s 3rd reign year inscription records the endowment of
Thirumanjanam, Naivedyam, burning lamp by Siva Brahmin Veliyatrudayan Choran
Thanthi and his sister Ariyaantral. For the same Porpon Ettumarinar ( .. ?)
kalanju.
Sri Sundara
Pandyan’s period inscription records that Thiru kamakotta Nachiyar and
Thiruvanaikavudaya nayanar was established by A Merchant Pazhuvoorudayan. The
Inscription further records the gift of land after sale. 
Inscription - This place was called as Kulakalapuram 
Surface is prepared before inscribing 
Letters were written before inscribing with chisel
LEGENDSIt
is believed that, when, Hanuman was carrying the Sanjeevini Hill from north to
save the life of soldiers and Lakshmana during the war between Rama and Ravana,
Nine pieces were fallen down and formed these 9 hills.
In
Another legend Naradar, came and stayed here for some time. Hence this place
was called as Nardar Malai and the same corrupted to the present name of Narthamalai.
TEMPLE TIMINGSSince
the temple is under Archaeological Survey of India, regular Poojas are not
done.
HOW TO REACHKadambar
Koil / Kadamba Malaimalai is about a KM from
Narthamalai, 9 KM from Keeranur, 19 KM
from Pudukkottai, 41 KM from Tiruchirappalli and 363 KM from Chennai. Nearest
Railway station is Keeranur and Junction is Tiruchirappalli
LOCATION OF THE
TEMPLE : CLICK HERE
The remains of old Fort---
OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
The temple is facing North west direction in
orientation with the Hill, Kadambar malai.
The Temple tank is in front. Prakara walls are built only on three
sides. Two balipeedas and a Rishabam are
between the Temple tank and the entrance. Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of
ardha mandapam. Dakshinamurthy is alone in the koshtam.
Inscription - This place was called as Kulakalapuram
Surface is prepared before inscribing
Letters were written before inscribing with chisel
The remains of old Fort
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