The visit to this Kadambar Koil, at Kadamba Malai
near Narthamalai, was a part of a Heritage Visit to temples around Keeranur in
Pudukkottai District, organized by “Yaaooyakay – யாஊயாகே” group on 2nd
and 3rd October 2021. It was said 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. Praharam 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 the ardha mandapam. Dakshinamurthy is alone in the koshtam.
In the 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 the sanctum sanctorum, antarala,
ardha mandapam, and mukha mandapam. The Ambal shrine, built at a later 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 eka tala vimana is over the sanctum sanctorum.
The adhisthanam consists of Upanam, Padmam vari,
kampu, jagathy, small atho padmam, small oorthuva padmam, 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 adhistanam.
The vedikai 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 consist of Asuvapatham, 8 surface legs, 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, torana, and flower arrangements. Vedikai and 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, the vimana is called "Sudha Vimanam". Greevam and sigaram are in a round / vurutha shape called Vaijayanthi and Alpa Vimana (Ekatala).
Antarala is with a pillar panchara. Mukha mandapa
is very similar to the prastaram of the sanctum sanctorum, and the central koshta has
the pathra thorana. The Maha mandapa base / adhisthanam is with Upanam,
Padmavari, and Kampu. The Maha mandapa has three angas: Chithra kanda pillars
with nagabandam, pothyal, uthram thangi, and the roof.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONSThis temple was built during the Pallava period by the Mutharaiyars.
The Inscriptions recorded from this temple and on the rocks belong to Rajaraja-I,
Rajendra-II, Kulothunga-I, Maravarman Sundara Pandyan, and the 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 Rettapadikonda Chozhavalanattu annalvayil Kootrathu Telugukulakalapuram. During the Kulothunga Period, this place was called 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 rituals, with a Girl. This
was objected to 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, 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 was 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 were established by A Merchant Pazhuvoorudayan. The
Inscription further records the gift of land after the sale. 
Inscription - This place was called Kulakalapuram 
The surface is prepared before inscribing 
Letters were written before being inscribed with a chisel
LEGENDSIt
is believed that, when Hanuman was carrying the Sanjeevini Hill from the north to
save the lives 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 Nardar Malai, and the same was corrupted to the present name of Narthamalai.
TEMPLE TIMINGSSince
the temple is under the 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. The nearest
Railway Station is Keeranur, and the 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. Praharam 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 the ardha mandapam. Dakshinamurthy is alone in the koshtam.
Inscription - This place was called Kulakalapuram
The surface is prepared before inscribing
Letters were written before being inscribed with a chisel
The remains of old Fort
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