Site Name: Punjai
Date: ca 950 CE
Subject: A view
CENTER FOR ART AND ARCHAEOLOGY
Naltulai Isvaragrham at Punjai is one of the finest of early Chola temples though less elaborate; the shrine has no central and corner projections; but despite that, the architectural appeal is not diminished. These figures rank among the greatest masterpieces of early Chola sculptures. The niches are topped by ornamental / arched gateways (toranas) of high quality workmanship. The temple has impressive door guardians (dvarapalas). On the temple itself there is no inscription earlier than twenty-second regnal year of Rajaraja I (985 – 1014 CE). The subsidiary shrine of Chandesha has an inscription from around Aditya II's reign (960- 965 CE). However on the basis of the ‘classicism’ shown by the dvarapalas, Nandi and Mahakala images, this temple would warrant a date not later than the mid-tenth century. References: M.W. Meister and M.A. Dhaky 1963, pp. 175-176, D. Barrett, 1974, pp. 81-82.