Vijayala Choleeswaram Temple

The Vijayalaya Choleeswaram in Narthamalai, though so called under the name of the founder of the Chola dynasty of Thanjavur, is a fine example of Mutharayar style of construction and indeed a forerunner of the magnificent temple at Gangaikondacholapuram built by Rajendra Chola. The first and second thala (base) of the temple vimanam is square in shape while the third is circular (vasara) and the griva and Sikhira also are circular.This is the first time when Nagara and Vasara styles have been incorporated in the construction of the vimanam. The inner wall enclosing the sanctum sanctorum is circular (omkhara shape), leaving an intervening passage all around. The Adithala hara extended over the top of the mandapam shows a series of dance sculptures. The dwarapalakas at the entrance of the temple are beautifully decorated. The temple as well as the six shrines and one upto the foundation level around the temple are all built with granite stones. About 15 years ago, the Archaeological survey of India had restored and re-built the dilapidated parts of the temple complex in a brilliant manner keeping to the original style which exhibits the pioneering efforts of the Mutharayars.There is an inscription at the base of the dwarapalaka statue which clearly states that the original temple was built by Ilangovathi Mutharayar (alias) Chathambuthi which was damaged by rain and the same was rebuilt with granite stones by Mallan Vithuman Mutharaya king in 886 A.D. This is a clear evidence that the temple was in existence prior to Vijayalaya chola, though at present the temple is called Vijayalaya Choleeswaram.Opposite to this temple is the famous rock-cut temple. In the sanctum sanctorum of the temple, one can see a brown Siva Lingam and in the Ardha Mandapam - in front of the sanctum sanctorum there are 12 brilliant rock-cut images of Lord Vishnu which are almost identical.According to Dr. R. Kalaikovan, Director, Dr. Rajamanickanar centre for historical research, though the rock-cut temple houses the broken Siva Linga and Vaishnavite statues, it is surprising that the structure is termed as Samanar Kudagu, since so far there is no structural or epi graphical evidence of Jain rock-cut temples in this place. There might have been a Mukha Mandapam in front of the Ardha Mandapam, housing the Vishnu statues. Though there are no walls or roof, the base of the Ardha Mandapam is full of brilliant sculptures of Yalis, Elephants, a combination of elephant and makara etc. And interestingly there is an Egyptian Sphinx like statue which is an indication of the cultural heritage reflecting the high-level trade and commerce between Egyptian and Indian merchants.There are many more such temples built by Mutharaiyar kings which were by mistake categorised to be built by Cholas by archeologists. Now they have started realising their mistake. The earliest all-stone temples are those in the Pudukköttaá region in the present Tiruchiräppalli district, many of which were until recently considered to be of Cola. origin but are now categorized as of Pändya, or Muttaraiya origin. These include the shrines at Kaliyappatti, Tiruppür, Viéalür, Enädi, etc. All the temples are small in size and have only one storey (ëlcatala). Side by side with these all-stone temples we also come across almost contemporaneous constructions in brick and stone. The Saptarsîévara, temple at is one of the best extant examples of this kind. In this stone is employed only in the ground tala and the superstructure over the entablature, whether it is square or circular in shape, is of brick. All these are datable in the second half of the ninth century which formed the most important period in the history of South Indian temple architecture as it witnessed Very fruitful experiments in architectural models in the new and challenging medium of stone, and which laid the foundation for the architectural development of the succeeding centuries.