Narthamalai
is 17 kms from pudukkottai. Here, on the hill side, several Jain monasteries
can be seen. There are several rare medicinal plants and herbs such as black
gooseberry (Karunelli), Jathi tree etc in forest here. It was also the capital
of mutharayar chieftains. The important visiting places here are the earliest
structural stone temple, circular in shape built by Mutharayars. This temple
has six large skillfully carved statues of Vishnu in the central hall.
Narthamalai
is a place of historical importance and the headquarters of the Mutharaya
chieftains. The earliest structural stone temple, circular in shape, built by the
Mutharayr. In the movement of scooping out live rocks for divine abodes minor
dynasties like the Atiyas and Mutharayars also participated, though
stylistically their excavations are much akin to those of their political
master.
The cave
at Namakkal is evidently an Atiya enterprise while Mutharaya involvement may be
seen at Thiruvellarai, Narthamalai, Kunrlandarkoil etc.
No comments:
Post a Comment