Sri Muchukundeswarar Temple / Muchu Kundesvara Temple / ஸ்ரீ முசுகுந்தேஸ்வரர் கோயில், கொடும்பாளூர் / Kodumbalur, Pudukkottai District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Muchukundeswarar Temple at Kodumbalur was a part of Heritage Visit to temples around Keeranur in Pudukkottai District, organized by “Yaaooyakay – யாஊயாகே” group on 2^nd and 3^rd, October 2021.  This place is called as Chengal medu, since there were no of temples might have existed and the Nandis are scattered around this area as its remains.

Moolavar  : Sri Muchukundeswarar

Some of the salient features of this temple are …

The temple is facing east with a Nandi in mandapam. A mandapa with squatting lion / simha pillar entrance  is on the left side of the temple. Ambal is in a separate sannidhi facing South.  No images are found in the Koshtas.

ARCHITECTURE

The temple consists of Sanctum sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam and Mukha mandapam. Ambal temple is in the open mukha mandapam facing south. The sanctum sanctorum is with simple padabandha adhisthana. Jagathi, threepatta kumuda and pattigai is in the adhisthana. In Bitti no vedhigai is found. The Brahmakantha Pillars divides the wall in to Karnapathi, Salaipathi. Panchara is in the akarai. The slaipathi is extended outwards forms as pathra salai. The pilasters has the usual components of Kalasam, Thadi, Mandi, palagai, veerakandam and Pothyal. Tharanga pothyal is shown of the pilaster top.

The prastaram is with valabi, kapotham and viyalavari. Nasis and palaikarukku are found on the kapotham. Nethra nasi is found on the karnapathi. Bhutaganas are in the valabi.

Veena Dakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu and Brahma are found on the first level Vimana.  The greeva portion also has the  koshtas the similar images of first level. The thala Rishabas are on all the four corners.

The Sikaram is of Nagara style with maha nasis on all the four sides. Alpa nasis also found in between maha nasis. The Kalasa / stupi is also similar shape of the greevam. Since the complete Vimana is built with stone from Adhisthana to stupi, the vimana is suddha Nagara Vimana.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

As per the inscriptions this place was called as Thirumudhukundram and Lord Shiva was called as Thirumudhukundramudaya Nayanar. It is believed that this temple was built during 10^th Century, by the Mahimalaya Irukkuvel, one of the Chieftain of Parantaka-I, The sanctum sanctorum was built during Parantaka Chozha’s period and Ambal sannidhi and mukha mandapa was built at latter date during Vijayanagaras.

The Parantaka Chozha’s 14^th reign year inscription records that this temple was constructed by the  Mahimalaya Irukkuvel alias Parantaka Veerachozhan Kunjaramallan.

Kulothunga Chozha’s 6^th reign year inscription records that the renovation of the temple, which are found damaged.

A fragment inscription on the Mukha mandapa adhisthana kumuda mentions the name of Sundra Chozha, PeNdati / பெண்டாட்டி, and Uthama tha. Here the Pendati means not the wife, but a cook who cooks food / servant.

The inscription on one of Mukha mandapa pillar records that the pillar was donated by Kodumbalur Kolanchetti Kambanatha Santhathanukka Pallavaraiyan.

Kovi Rajakesari’s 11^th reign year inscription records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp by a person of Kodumbalur of Urathur Kootram.

Chonadu vazhangiaruliya  Sundara Pandyan 28^th reign year inscription Siva Brahmin Alwan Thirukokodungundramudayan alias Kulaseka Brahmatharasan, Madathipathis and Temple officials gifted 6 ma land for the artha jama pooja and Naivedyam.

Kulasekara Pandya period inscription records that the   Visayapancharan thirumadapalli was gifted by the Mudhusolkudi Nattu nattavar ( thanmam ).

The Vijayanagara King Mahamandaleswarar Ariyarayan  Mallikarjuna rayar period inscription records that the Adaikalamkathar daughter Vazhiththunai Perumal Pillaiyilla kaana…  ( son …?), and her daughter Meiyarai and her sister Vazhithunai as Devaradiyars given to this temple. They were given 3 ma land and paddy.

Kaoparakesari Chozha Irukkuvel’s 7^th reign year inscription records that as per the request of Azhaganveerachozha Viswakarma and Kanmalar, a kala pooja on their name was created and Land was gifted for Naivedyam and prayer.

 

HOW TO REACH

The temple is about 750 meters off Pudukottai – Manaparai Main road.

The temple is about 9 KM from Viralimalai, 37 KM from Tiruchirappalli, 38 KM from Pudukkottai, 39 KM from Keeranur and 365 KM from Chennai.

Nearest Railway Station is Tiruchirappalli.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE  : CLICK HERE

Clouds in the form of Vimanam and Rishabam

Clouds in the form of Vimanam and Rishabam

Veenadharar on the Vimana

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---