In the village of Tirumeyjnanam, there are two temples called Nalur and Tirumayanam. The Tirumayanam temple is now called the Jnanaparamesvarar temple. It has been dated in or before the second year of Aditya I (872 CE). This early Chola temple still retains its original features. References: S.R. Balasubrahmanyam, 1966, pp. 186 – 188, D. Barrett, 1974, p. 102.

The Pallava king, Narasimha II in 8th century CE, built the Jvaraharesvara temple but the inscriptions illustrate that the Chola kings also used to donate to this temple. Although it is one of the smaller buildings of its time, it is quite ornate and is a significant example of a temple of the time of Kulottunga III (1178–1218 CE). It is also an interesting structure because of its ovular plan. The temple was renovated at the beginning of the 20th century and the brick superstructure is completely new; the complex is surrounded by a rubble compound wall, a small gateway or gopura in front on the east. Only the lower stone part of the gopura appears late Chola. References: M.W. Meister and M.A. Dhaky, 1963, pp.320-322.

Kadambavanesvara temple, Erumbur, Tamil NaduThe Kadambavanesvara temple at Erumbur is a rather small structure that can be definitely dated. The presiding deity of the temple is called Perumanadigal of Urumur Siru Tirukkoyil (Erumbur in the early Chola period was known as Urumur) and in later times as Kadambavanesvaram. The temple is datable by inscriptions of Parantaka I (907 - 954 CE) and was converted to stone in Parantaka I’s twenty-eighth regnal year (935 CE) by Kunvan Aparajitan with permission from the king. The temple does not reflect the same achievements as the Brahmapurisvara and Nagesvarasvami. As in the case of most Early Chola Temples, the central shrine of the original stone-temple was made up of only two parts, the sanctum and the front half hall (ardhamandapa). The present dome-shaped cupola (sikhara) over the sanctum is a later structure of brick. There are eight subsidiary shrines around the main shrine for the eight parivara-devatas. The main interest of this simple temple lies in the three images of the superstructure (vimana) that are of fine quality and metropolitan style. References: M.W. Meister and M.A. Dhaky, 1963, p. 172, S.R. Balasubrahmanyam, 1971, pp. 67-70, D. Barrett, 1973, pp. 75-76.

The queen Sembiyan Mahadevi built the Kailasanathaswami temple at Sembiyan Mahadevi Pattinam. She also established in the town a set of brahmins learned in the four vedas consequently called chaturvedi bhattas. A select body of elders were chosen to administer temple affairs and utilisation of funds and gifts for the temple. This temple was a new edifice and the inscriptions range from the time of Uttama Chola (971 – 988 CE) to that of Rajaraja III (1216–1246 CE). The temple village lies desolate today and the temple has suffered in appearance due to the liberal coats of whitewash applied to its walls and layers of painted stucco on the temple tower. There are nine divinity niches (devakoshtas), a feature characteristic of the time of Sembiyan Mahadevi. References: Venkataraman, 1976, pp. 27-30, M.W. Meister and M.A. Dhaky, 1963, p. 185.

Kailashesvara temple group, Bannuru

The structure of the present Kamakshi temple that rose on the ruins of the Jain Kamaottam dedicated to a Yakshini belongs to the fourteenth century. After its foundation as a Hindu temple in and not earlier than the twelfth century for about three centuries, the temple must have been a simple cell amidst the walls of the old Jain and Buddhist temples which it supplanted and a complete superstructure (vimana) was installed in 1393 by Vijayanagara emperor Harihara II who also covered it with copper. Four towered gateways (gopuras) of modest proportions provide access into the temple enclosure. The gateways belong to the Vijayanagara period (1336 – 1646 CE) though their pyramidal towers are modern. In front of the main temple stands an ornate columned hall (mandapa). Friezes of deities are carved on to the mandapa basement; column shafts, attached pilasters and brackets are all covered with ornate sculptures. The raised dais in the middle is supported on a tortoise base. West of the temple is a sunken tank with stepped sides. The temple itself comprises a cluster of small shrines but the principal shrine of the goddess is identified by a gilded tower that rises above. has a special significance in the Siva Kanchi area of Kanchipuram. As per the general rule most of the temples constructed face either the north or the east direction. But in Siva Kanchi, all the temples face towards the Kamakshi Devi temple. References: T. Dash, 2010, p. 82, G. Michell, 1989, p. 438.