Kampaharesvara temple complex, Tribhuvanam, Tamil NaduThe Kampaharesvara temple is the last of the four great temples built by the Cholas. Kulottunga III (1178–1218 CE) made three wars against the Pandyas. After his victory in the third war, he held a grand celebration at Madurai and assumed the title of Tribhuvana Vira devar and built in commemoration of his great victory, this temple dedicated to Siva in the name of Tirubhuvana Viresvarar. According to a Sanskrit inscription, the temple was built at the instance of the king’s spiritual preceptor Somesvara also called Isvara Siva. Tanjavur, Gangaikondacholapuram and Darasuram temples were built under similar auspices. The temple is unique in that the shrines for the Devi and for Sarabhamurti, a newly evolved icon of the late Chola period are contemporaneous. On the west side of the hall that is approached by stairs (sopana-mandapa) is a shrine dedicated to Shiva. These became Somaskanda – separate shrines dedicated to Somaskanda are popularly called Tyagraja shrine after the celebrated shrine at Tiruvarur. These gained popularity in Tanjuvar area around this time. Although the superstructure (vimana) is relatively plain, the platform is very tall that is an interesting deviation from the norm. References: S.R. Balasubrahmanyam, 1975, p. 33, M.W. Meister and M.A. Dhaky, 1963, pp. 312 - 317.

The main shrine of the Kayarohana temple-complex at Nagapattinam was possibly rebuilt in or slightly before 1010 CE in Rajaraja's time (985 – 1014 CE). The temple, however, shows a few earlier features particularly of Sembiyan Mahadevi's time. For example, Lasuna, ghata and pali are ornamented in the style of later temples of Sembiyan Mahadevi. There is an adjoining smaller temple of Tyagraja that was added later. References: M.W. Meister and M.A. Dhaky, 1963, pp. 249-250.

The Koranganatha temple at Tiruchirapalli (Tamil Nadu) stands in a built-in pit and is of modest proportions. This temple has a re-engraved inscription from the time of early Chola ruler Aditya I (871 - 907 CE), and four inscriptions of Chola Parantaka's time (907 - 954 CE). The fabric of the temple is not of Aditya's time but rather of rebuilding during Parantaka I's time (927 CE). The entire composition displays a return to earlier Pallava simplicity and marks the transitional period between the Pallava and Chola - the base is of stone and the upper levels are in brick. The now empty sanctum sanctorum (garbhagriha) originally contained a lingam. The pilasters embedded in the wall are adorned with beautiful sculptures and the arches have delicately carved frieze work. The crowning dome or sikhara is four-cornered and curvilinear with the same four niches, topped by chaitya arches. The shrine was desecrated at some later date by a monkey as is evident from its present name of Koranganatha - Lord of the Monkeys. References: M. Boothalingam, 1971, p.16 & pp. 29-37, K. Deva, 1995, p.224 and M.W. Meister and M.A. Dhaky 1963, p.170, V. Dehejia, 1990, p.22.

The Kripapurisvarar temple may have been renovated during Uttama Chola's time (971-988 CE) and even after that. The place, Tiruvennainallur, gains its importance from the fact that it was the Lord of this place who intervened and stopped the wedding of the Tamil saint Sundaramurti Nayanar (ninth century) in order to win him over to His side and bestow His grace on him. There are two well-known temples at this place, one associated with the Tamil saint known as Arulturai Nayanar - Kripapurisvarar and the other associated with the Later Pallava chiefs of Sendamangalam, known as the Vaikuntha Perumal temple. The deity in the Tiruvennainallur temple is called Taduttatkonda nathar (the Lord who bestowed divine grace after placing obstacles in the way of the devotee). References: S.R. Balasubrahmanyam, 1975, pp. 31-32, S.R. Balasubrahmanyam, 1979, pp. 302-304.

The Mahalingasvami temple at Tiruvidaimarudur has been replaced by a modern structure. The vanished temple was itself a stone replacement for a brick structure built during Uttama Chola's time - 975 CE. References: M.W. Meister and M.A. Dhaky, 1963, p.183.

Margabandheesvara complex, Virinchipuram, Tamil Nadu