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Vijayala Choleeswaram... was originally built by Mutharayar kings. Vijayala Chola
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NARTHAMALAI A cluster of small hillocks, 25 kms from Tiruchi on
the Tiruchi-Pudukottai road hosts some of the finest and oldest architectural
models and rock cut cave temples, and the longest of rock-cut edicts, similar to
Asokan edicts the likes of which are extremely rare in the south. Blessed with
many rocky hillocks, Pudukottai district now has about a dozen rock cave temples
of which the most famous are Narthamalai, Kudumiyanmalai, Thirumayam,
Sitthannavaasal, Malayadipatti etc.
The vimanam of Kadambar koil.
After the fall of the Cholas of Thanjavur in the 14th century the area came under the rule of the Madurai kings, Pallavarayars and Thondaimans of Pudukottai according to J. Raja Mohammed, Curator of the Pudukottai Government Museum.
According to Dr. Kalaikovan, the two sets of inscriptions of
Rajaraja and Rajendra II are unique since they have been inscribed beautifully
on specially prepared rock surfaces and written distinctly. They can be compared
to the finest specimen of the rock edict inscriptions, comparable to the Edicts
of Ashoka. There are remnants of a dilapidated fort on Kadambar hills. The
Parayar Malai is stated to have been habitated by the drummers and other
musicians of the temples residing in the area. The steep Aluruttimalai was used
for punishing traitors and other law offenders by pushing them down the steep
slope.
Mutharayar king and occupied Tanjore is believed to have renovated and renamed the Mutharayar temple as Vijayala Cholleswaram.
Narthamalai came under the sway of the Mutharayars from 7th to 9th century who were the vassals of the Pallava kings of Kanchi and Pandya kings of Madurai and was later conquered by the Cholas of Thanjavur.
Vijayalaya Choleeswaram is a structural temple. Most structural temples of Pallava period have Griva Koshtas. The Vijayalaya Choleeswaram temple of Naarthmalai belonging to the reign of Muttaraiyars who ruled Chola heartland before cholas hosts an excellent Griva Koshtas.
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.
Vijayala Choleeswaram... was originally built by Mutharayar kings. Vijayala Chola
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| Narthamalai on the Tiruchi-Pudukottai route, which houses nine small
hillocks, speaks volumes about the sculptural excellence during the period of
the Cholas and the Pandyas. |
http://www.facebook.com/groups/mutharaiyar/
NARTHAMALAI A cluster of small hillocks, 25 kms from Tiruchi on
the Tiruchi-Pudukottai road hosts some of the finest and oldest architectural
models and rock cut cave temples, and the longest of rock-cut edicts, similar to
Asokan edicts the likes of which are extremely rare in the south. Blessed with
many rocky hillocks, Pudukottai district now has about a dozen rock cave temples
of which the most famous are Narthamalai, Kudumiyanmalai, Thirumayam,
Sitthannavaasal, Malayadipatti etc.
Besides 200 brilliant inscriptions dating back to the 8th
century, the world famous Pandya Musical inscriptions in Kudumiyanmalai date
back to the 4th century. Some Megalithic Burial sites and Jain Rock-cut beds too
have been found in this district, which throw a great deal of light on the
ancient history of the region.
Narthamalai, a heritage complex, consists of nine small
hillocks - Melamalai, Kottaimalai, Aluruttimalai, Kadambarmalai, Perayarmalai,
Uvakkanmalai, Manmalai, Bommattimalai and Ponmalai and the shrub forests
surrounding the same is a habitat for peacock, deers etc. This is so because a
large part of the region comes under the forest reserve area. According to
mythology they were parts of the Sanjeevimalai carried by Lord Hanuman during
the war between Rama and Ravana.
Narthamalai came under the sway of the Mutharayars from 7th to
9th century who were the vassals of the Pallava kings of Kanchi and Pandya kings
of Madurai and was later conquered by the Cholas of Thanjavur.
The two rock-cut temples atop Melamalai besides the
Vijayaleeswara Choleeswaram temples tucked under idyllic settings are extremely
informative and also a classic example of the fusion of different styles of
temple architecture prevailing in different parts of the country. One cannot but
marvel how in that distant past the Mutharayar s, whose contribution to the
temple architecture and local government were not given due recognition and
importance, had become master builders.
The Mutharayars according to the available information had
their headquarters at Nemam near Tirukattupalli and held their sway over
Tiruchi, Thanjavur and Pudukottai regions until the emergence of the mighty
Cholas of Thanjavur.
Narthamalai was originally named as Nagarathar Malai, known for
a group of merchants who were engaged in this trade route between
Tiruchi-Pudukottai, Madurai etc and played a key role in the maintenance of the
temples, canals, irrigation tanks besides collection of taxes and other civic
matters.
Unique features
The vimanam of Kadambar koil.
After the fall of the Cholas of Thanjavur in the 14th century the area came under the rule of the Madurai kings, Pallavarayars and Thondaimans of Pudukottai according to J. Raja Mohammed, Curator of the Pudukottai Government Museum.
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 epigraphical
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.
Pazhiyileeswaram is another rock-cut cave temple with a Siva
linga inside a small sanctum sanctorum with two beautiful dwarapalakas.
The inscription at the base of the temple is an extremely interesting piece that
belongs to the period of the Pallava king (Nirupatunga Varman 855-896 A.D).
Learning a lineage
Sri
Dakshinamurthi on the outside wall of Kadambar Koil
The inscription says that the cave temple was built by the
Mutharaya king. Mutharayar and his son Sathan had built the Mukha Mandapam,
Nandimandapam and Balipeetam at the temple. This inscription helps to read the
lineage of the Mutharayar kings, who were the vassals of the Pallava kings. On
the slopes of Melamalai is a Dargah of a muslim saint Muhammed Masthan. On the
10th day of the annual festival at the Muthumariamman temple at Narthamalai,
thousands of Hindus and Muslims visit the Dargah and exchange greetings.
The deep trenches leading to Vijayacholeeswaram are filled with
water for the best part of the year adding to the grandeur of the whole setting.
Kadambar temple Rock Edicts: At the foot of the Kadambar hills is situated the
Thiru Kadamba Udaya Nayanar temple which is very similar to the Chola
Balasubramania temple at Kannanur, 22 km from Pudukottai near Rangiam. There are
inscriptions belonging to the time of Rajaraja Chola, Rajendra Chola II,
Kulothunga Chola and Maravarman Sundara Pandya.
According to Dr. Kalaikovan, the two sets of inscriptions of
Rajaraja and Rajendra II are unique since they have been inscribed beautifully
on specially prepared rock surfaces and written distinctly. They can be compared
to the finest specimen of the rock edict inscriptions, comparable to the Edicts
of Ashoka. There are remnants of a dilapidated fort on Kadambar hills. The
Parayar Malai is stated to have been habitated by the drummers and other
musicians of the temples residing in the area. The steep Aluruttimalai was used
for punishing traitors and other law offenders by pushing them down the steep
slope.
The Muthumariamman temple at Narthamalai is perhaps one of the
most important and popular temples drawing tens of thousands of devotees during
the annual festivals in the temple. Narthamalai is one of the finest examples of
the cultural and sculptural heritage of the ancient days, and one should
acknowledge with gratitude the excellence of the Archaeological Survey of India
in maintaining these structures after restoration.
Mutharayar king and occupied Tanjore is believed to have renovated and renamed the Mutharayar temple as Vijayala Cholleswaram.
Narthamalai came under the sway of the Mutharayars from 7th to 9th century who were the vassals of the Pallava kings of Kanchi and Pandya kings of Madurai and was later conquered by the Cholas of Thanjavur.
Vijayalaya Choleeswaram is a structural temple. Most structural temples of Pallava period have Griva Koshtas. The Vijayalaya Choleeswaram temple of Naarthmalai belonging to the reign of Muttaraiyars who ruled Chola heartland before cholas hosts an excellent Griva Koshtas.
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.
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