The Margasahayesvara temple at Visalur, though plain and simple, is a grand structure and very well preserved. On grounds of its architectural features, this temple can be assigned to the age of Vijayalaya Chola (850-871 CE). Reference: S.R. Balasubrahmanyam, 1966, pp.57-58.

The Matsyapurisvara temple at Koyil Tevarayan Pettai received endowments continuously from the seventeenth year of Aditya I i.e. 888 CE to the thirty-eighth year of Parantaka I i.e. 945 CE. The present fabric may date to the ninth year of Uttama Chola i.e. 980 CE when Sembiyan Mahadevi made a large grant. Moreover, even the divinity niche sculptures (devakoshthas) seem later than the period of Parantaka. References: M.W. Meister and M.A. Dhaky 1963, pp.183 - 184.

Mucukundesvara temple, Kodambalur, Tamil Nadu

Muktinathesvara temple, Binnamangala, Karnataka

The temple of Tirukkuruhavur dates back at least to the days of the Devaram hymnists Appar and Sambandar. The local legends mention the succour given by the Lord to a child in the womb of a helpless woman. Hence the name Tiruk-karu-kavur – the abode of One Who saved a child still in the mother’s womb. The present temple dates back to the time of Parantaka I (907 - 954 CE). His earliest inscription here is that of his fourteenth regnal year. The original temple consisted of the sanctum sanctorum (garbagriha) and the half hall (ardhamandapa). An entrance porch (mukhmandapa) was added in the later Chola period. On the north side of this mandapa is a shrine for Natraja fashioned in the shape of a chariot. On the northern side of the main shrine there is a separate Amman shrine, which should be assigned to the later Chola period. The inscriptions show that this temple is dedicated to Shiva and Vishnu. The Siva temple itself might have been a foundation even of the days of Aditya I (871-907 CE). References: S.R. Balasubrahmanyam, 1971, pp. 54-56.

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.