Site Name: Tiruppurambiyam
Date: ca 1000-1099 CE
Subject: Companion shrine, Jnanasambhadar, back view
CENTER FOR ART AND ARCHAEOLOGY
The fabric of the Saksisvara temple at Tiruppurambiyam and the style of the sculptures suggest a date in Uttama Chola's (971 – 988 CE) reign or at least during the life of Sembiyan Mahadevi. The temple was probably rebuilt in stone before 995 CE. The superstructure (vimana) of this temple is more ornate than other temples at this time and the pillars in the half-hall (ardhamandapa) have a rather unusual composite structure – they are square at the base, octagonal and then 16-sided at the top. Reference: M.W. Meister and M.A. Dhaky, 1963, pp. 187-188.