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 2nd and 3rd, 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 …
ARCHITECTUREThe 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 INSCRIPTIONSAs 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 10th 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 14th reign year inscription records that this temple was constructed by the Mahimalaya Irukkuvel alias Parantaka Veerachozhan Kunjaramallan.
Kulothunga Chozha’s 6th 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 11th reign year inscription records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp by a person of Kodumbalur of Urathur Kootram.
Chonadu vazhangiaruliya Sundara Pandyan 28th 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 7th 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 REACHThe 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 ---
Some of the salient features of this temple are …
Kovi Rajakesari’s 11th reign year inscription records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp by a person of Kodumbalur of Urathur Kootram.
Clouds in the form of Vimanam and Rishabam
Veenadharar on the Vimana
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