The visit to this Pallava period Durgai, Jyeshta Devi and Maha Vishnu Sculptures at Kunnathur was a part of Shiva and Vishnu Temple and heritage sites along the East Coast Road, visit on 25th December 2021. Thanks to Kesavan for accompanying with me to all these places. The Jyeshta Devi and Durgai are in a shrine called Durgai Amman Temple on the banks a Tank. The Mahavishnu sculpture is in front of a Vinayagar temple. All the three statues belongs to 9th Century Pallava period.
Jyeshta Devi...This Jyeshta Devi is in sitting posture. She is with big breasts, flabby belly and thick thighs. She keeps her hands on the head of her attendants. The crow flag and broom stick are shown on her back. Her son Mandhan and daughter Mandhi are standing on her back.
Durgai Amman....This Durgai Amman is on the left side of Jyeshta Devi. This Durgai is in Unique posture. She is standing on Mahishan’s head. Conch and Chakra are in the upper hands. The lower right hand is Kadi hastam and left hand is in abhaya hastam. She is wearing ornaments on her ears and neck.
Maha Vishnu.....This Maha Vishnu statue is installed in front of a Vinayagar Temple. Maha Vishnu is in standing Posture. He is holding Conch and Chakra in the upper hands and Right hand is in Abhaya hastam ( broken) and left hand is in kadi hastam.
Ayyanar as Maha Vishnu...The Ayyanar temple is open to sky under a banyan tree. The Ayyanar is in sitting posture holding sendu on the right hand and his consorts are on both sides. Thiruman is applied of Ayyanar's forehead. Even though this is known to some people, many of the Villagers worships as Maha Vishnu. This Ayyanar may belongs to 14th to 15th Century Vijayanagara period or latter Pallava period. The complete details of the sculpture is not known since Chandan and Kumkum are applied on may places. 
HOW TO REACH:This place Kunnathur is 11 KM from Mahabalipuram, 14 KM from Thirukazhukundram, 27 KM from Chengalpattu and 66 KM from Chennai Central.Nearest railway station is Chengalpattu.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---
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