Site Name: Kodambalur
Date: 851-875 CE
Subject: Central shrine, a view
CENTER FOR ART AND ARCHAEOLOGY
Koadambalur was the home of a family of local chiefs called Irukkuvels. It was once a city of temples like Kanchi and Kumbakonam. There were possibly at one time 108 temples but now only two important ones survive - the Muchukundesvaram and the Muvarkoyil. The date of this temple has been subject of prolonged discussion. Two opposing viewpoints are known. One advocates a mid-tenth century date for Irrukuvel chieftain Bhuti Vikramakesari and hence for the Muvarkovil that he founded. According to some other scholars, the paleography, the contents for the inscriptions and the style indicate that the structure belongs to the time of Sundara Chola (956 – 973 CE). The temple complex consists of three west-facing temples identical in plan and size, preceded by a common pillared hall (mahamandapa), a Nandi's pavilion, a gateway (gopura) entrance and a surround of sixteen sub shrines (parivara) shrines. The northern shrine has gone completely out of existence except the plinth and the central and southern shrines were in a state of collapse but they were carefully and scientifically renovated and restored. The superstructures (vimanas) and the crowning cupolas (sikharas) of the two surviving shrines make a strong visual impression. They are also noted for fine workmanship and exquisite sculptures that are fine specimens of early Chola art. References: M.W. Meister and M.A. Dhaky 1963, pp.202 - 208, S.R. Balasubrahmanyam, 1971, pp. 108-137, D. Barrett, 1973, p. 86.