Thirumukkudal Appan Venkatesa Perumal Temple Inscriptions on Vedic College, Hospital and Village Sabha II

Thirumukkudal Village Sign board.

Thirumukkudal Sri Appan Venkatesa Perumal Temple. View 1

Thirumukkudal Sri Appan Venkatesa Perumal Temple. View 2

Thirumukkudal Sri Appan Venkatesa Perumal Temple. Information on Archaeology and Architecture

Veera Cholesvara Aadhular Salai (medical center) . Information on the Drugs Stored in the dispensary

ARE 248/1923 Inscriptions on Vedic College, Hospital and Village Sabha (Vira Rajendra Chola) Explained by Sasi Dharan

Rajendra Chola I Meikeerthi (Prologue of an inscription recording great accomplishments of the emperor) found in tripatta-kumuda of the east prakaram wall

Team members visited Thirumukkudal Temple with Temple and ASI staff

Thirumukkudal Appan Venkatesa Perumal Temple Inscriptions on Vedic College, Hospital and Village Sabha (Vira Rajendra Chola)

Location: Thirumukkudal, Kanchipuram district, Tamil Nadu, India Pin code 631606. Located about 58 km southwest of TN's capital city of Chennai.

Chola Emperor: Vira Rajendra Chola (1063-1068 A.D.)

Titles earned: From an inscription of his from Tirunamanallur dated in the fourth year of his reign, we understand that Virarajendra Chola held the titles Sakalabhuvanasraya, Srimedinivallabha, Maharajadhiraja Cholakula-Sundara, Pandyakulantaka, Ahavamallakula-Kala, Ahavamallanai-mummadi-ven-kanda Rajasraya, Vira-Chola, The Glory of the Solar race, Karikala-Chola, Sri-Virarajendradeva, Rajakesarivarma Perumanadigal (similar to the Nolamba Pallava titles of Permanadi from Kannada country) and Konerinmaikondan. (Wikipedia)

Regnal Year: 5th regnal year (1067 A.D.)

Inscription: ARE 248/1923

Language: Tamil

Script: 10th century Tamil Grantham

Length: 55 lines located on the east wall of the first prakaram

Identified by: K V Subramanya Iyer, epigraphist

Village Sabha of Thirumukudal:  Village Sabha of Rajaraja Chaturvedimangalam, Madhurantaka-Chaturvedimangalam (nadu), Kalatur-kottam or valanadu (district), Jayamkondasola-mandalam (Province).

1. The Cholas had three major administrative divisions called Central Government, Provincial Government and Local Government. The king was the head of the administration. The king  and the council of ministers formed the central government; the Chola Empire was divided into nine provinces or mandalams and was administered by the 'viceroys.' Each mandalam was divided into several kottams or valanadu (districts); Each kottam or valanadu was sub-divided into 'nadus.' Each nadu was further sub-divided into villages or 'ur.' 
2. The autonomous local government and the systematic local adminsitration was well developed and enjoyed more  powers. 
3. The land revenue was the main source of income of the Chola Government. Customs and tolls were other income sources. Taxation  (mines, ports, forests, salt pans, domestic house taxes and on professional taxes) was heavy and over burdened the society. 
4. The semi-autonomous provinces and districts of the Chola administration were successfully administered by  the administrative officials and staff.  
5. The local residents of village or ‘Ur’ maintained the executive body known as “Abunganam” or “ganam” or “Miyalunganam” and this body gathered together to discuss matters on their villages, but not empowered to make any formal rule or procedure. 
6. Sabha or Mahasabha was the assembly of the Brahmin Settlement (Agrahara) and this complex machinery of local administration empowered to form policies or procedures, redressed disputes, implemented penalty and punishments.  
7. The sabhas or mahasabhas were empowered to administer public finance linked to the temple and the temples under Chola rule enjoyed huge annual income from land (lease) revenue,  taxes, interests acrued from deposits and the offerings of devotees. 
8. The sabhas also acted as moneylenders to the cultivators and even financed commercial endeavors across the ocean. 
9. The Saivite and Vaishnavite Hindu temples also acted as the center for social and economic life in Chola Empire and the sabha or mahasabha assembly sessions were held at temple premises. 
10.  The Chola temples employed number skilled staff (both male and female) and administered by the villagers  as autonomous multipurpose institutions. 
11. The temples under sabhas offered Vedic education through schools, ran choultries and nurtured arts and crafts including dance, drama and music.

This post attempts to bring out one such 1200 years old Vaishnavite temple which offered Vedic education and cared the disciples with an hostel and the charitable dispensary.

Throughout the Thirumukkudal Sri Appan Venkatesa Perumal Temple walls and pillars, we have come across inscriptions, some of which date back to the Pallava ruler, Vijaya Nripatungavarman of the (854-860 A.D.), Raja Raja Chola I (முதலாம் இராசராச சோழன்) (985-1014 A.D.), Rajendra Chola I (முதலாம் இராஜேந்திர சோழன்) (1012-1044 A.D.),  Vira-Rajendra Chola (1063-1070 A.D.) and Kulottunga Chola I (முதலாம் குலோத்துங்க சோழன்) (1070-1120 A.D.). All these inscriptions stand as a source of interesting information about endowments and gifts made to this temple and the Chola kings attached much importance to this temple.

An inscription (ARE 248/1923) of Vira Rajendra Chola dated in his 5th regnal year (1067 A.D.) was found by epigraphist K V Subramanya Iyer. The 55 line inscription in Chola Tamil script was viewed on the east wall of the first prakaram. The record mentions about the Vedic College conducted in the ‘Jananatha Mandapam’ of the Sri Appan Venkatesa Perumal temple. The Vedic education included Vedic and Vedanta subjects like Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Vyakaranam (வியாகரணம்), Roopavatharam (ரூபாவதாரம்), Siavagamam (சிவாகமம்), Maha Pancharathram (மகா பாஞ்சராத்ரம்), Vaikanasam (வைகானசம்); grammar, agamas and Hindu logic.

The inscription also provide information about the strength of the enrolled student disciples in the college, the number of Vedic teachers engaged for the prescribed subjects and remuneration in measures of rice-wages / paddy-wages and kasu (Chola coins). The hostel was attached to the college to enable the students to stay and learn Vedic education. The epigraph also details the servants and cooks engaged to take care of the inmates.

The unique and distinctive inscription also documents about the organization and administration of Veera Cholesvara Aadhular Salai (charitable dispensary or medical center), to treat students and temple staff, comprising fifteen beds.

The sabha of Rajaraja Chaturvedimangalam made an endowment of 45 veli cultivable land (‘வைத்தியக் காணி' ) to receive land revenue to meet the annual expenses  of the Vedic college and dispensary. The endowments of cultivable land was accepted from devotees and treated as deposit in this temple.

The grant of rice ration for each patient (‘வியாதிப்பட்டுக் கிடப்பார்' ) for each day was one measure or nazhi (நாழி ). (வியாதிப்பட்டு கிடப்பார் பதினைவர்க்கு பேரால் அரிசி நாழியாக அரிசி குறுணி எழுநாழிக்கு நெல் தூணி ஐந்நாழி உரியும் ).

The epigraph details dispensary, its functional staff and the grants given to included the following:

1. One local physician of hereditary nature by name ‘Savarnan Kodhandaraman Aswathaaman Bhattan’ of Alapakkam (‘ஆலப்பாக்கத்து சவர்ணன் கோதண்டராமன் அசுவத்தாம பட்டன்'). Physician attended the medical needs of students and temple staff without expecting any return. Diagnosis was based on traditional pulse reading and prescription of ayurvedic drugs. The physician received Payment in paddy (to be paid in 90 kalam) Payment in coins (to be paid 80 kasu (coins).

2. One surgeon (Calliyakkiriyai Pannuvan) (சல்லியக் கிரியைப் பண்ணுவான்' ) received Payment in paddy (to be paid in 30 kalam) and Payment in coins (to be paid 2 kasu (coins) .

3. Two male nurses to collect herbs and firewood, and prepare drugs (ஆதுலர்க்கு மருந்துகளுக்கு வேண்டும் மருந்து பறித்து விறகிட்டு பரியாரம் பண்ணுவரிருவருக்கு )  received Payment in paddy (to be paid in 30 kalam) and Payment in coins (to be paid 1 kasu (coins).

4. Two female nurses to administered doses of medicines, feed the patients, and to look after cooking (ஆதுலர்க்கு வேண்டும் பரியாரம் பண்ணி மருந்திடும் பெண்டுகளிருவருக்கு) received Payment in paddy (to be paid in 30 kalam) and Payment in coins (to be paid 1 kasu (coins).

5. Barber (ஆதுலர்க்கும் கிடைகளுக்கும் பாத்திரருக்கும் வேண்டும் பணிசெய்யும் நாவிசன் ), for discharging duties to patients, students and temple staff, received Payment in paddy (to be paid in 15 kalam).

6. One Waterman (தண்ணீர் கொடுவந்து வைத்துச் சாய்ப்பான் ஒருவனுக்கு நாளொன்றுக்கு நெல் குறுணியாக நாள் நூற்றெண்பதுக்கு நெல் பதினெண்கலமும்) received Payment in paddy (to be paid in 15 kalam).

Grant of azhakku oil was also made (fluid measurement) for each lamp to be kept burning in the hospital during the nights and computed to 45 nazhi oil (fluid measurement) for 360 days costs 2.30  kasu (coins) (ஆதுலசாலையில் இரா எரியும் விளக்கு ஒன்றுக்கு எண்ணெயாழாக்காக நாள் முன்னூற்றறுபதுக்கு எண்ணெய் நாற்பத்தைந்து நாழிக்கு காசிரண்டேகாலும்).

The names of different medicines that were kept in the store of the hospital were also mentioned in that inscription:

Haritaki - Ayurvedic haritaki herbal formulation in powder form; Thailam - Ayurvedic medicated herbal oil; Ghrita – Ayurvedic medicated herbal ghee; Ayurvedic medicated water with cardamom and lemon as ingredients. Medicated herbal oils were prescribed for head / body massage to neutralize excess heat in human body. Ayurvedic oils also prescribed for 'tuvalai' or external applications. The ayurvedic drugs were administered through fumigation (vatu pitita), oral administration (consumed through mouth); nasal administration (naisyam); and ocular administration (kallikam). 

1. Haritaki (ஹரிதகி) (Terminalia chebula (Botanical) Chebulic Myrobalan (English) Haritaki in Sanskrit, Kadukkai (கடுக்காய்)in Tamil) 2 padi
2. Gomutra haritaki (கோமூத்திர ஹரிதகி) 2 padi (Ayurvedic herbal formulation in powder form);
3. Dasamula haritaki (தசமூலஹரிதகி) (Drug for treatment of mental illness) 1 padi (Ayurvedic herbal formulation in powder form to improve digestion);
4. Piplathaka haritaki (பிப்லாதக ஹரிதகி) 1 padi
5. Gandiram (கண்டீரம்) 1 padi
6. Balakoranda thailam (பலாகோரண்டதைலம்) 1 thooni (Thailam - Ayurvedic medicated herbal  oil);
7. Pancharka thailam (பஞ்சார்கதைலம்) 1 thooni (Thailam - Ayurvedic medicated herbal  oil);
8. Srilasratthakoranda thailam (ஸ்ரீலஸ்ரத்தா கோரண்டதைலம் ) 1 thooni (Thailam - Ayurvedic medicated herbal  oil);
9. Kanyathi thailam (கண்யாதிதைலம் ) 1 thooni (Thailam - Ayurvedic medicated herbal  oil);
10. Sakrutham (சாக்ருதம்) 1 pathakku;
11. Bilvadi ghritam (வில்வாதி க்ருதம் ) 1 pathakku (Ghrita – Ayurvedic medicated herbal ghee);
12. Mandukara vatakam (மண்டூரவாகம்) 2000;
13. Mahasumanathri (மஹாசுமனத்ரி) 2000;
14. Thanrathi (தந்த்ராதி) 2000;
15. Panchakalpam (பஞ்சகல்பம்) 1 thooni/pathakku
16. Kalyana lavanam (கல்யாணலவணம்) ( Lavan means salt. Kalyana lavanam used for treatment of insanity in general, epilepsy and stammering)

The Original Text:

ஆதுரசாலை வீரசோழனில் வியாதிப்பட்டு கிடப்பார் பதினைவர்க்கு பேரால் அரிசி நாழியாக அரிசி குறுணி எழுநாழிக்கு நெல் தூணி ஐந்நாழி உரியும் வியாதிப்பட்டு கிடப்பார்க்கு பலபடி நிபந்தக்காரர்க்கும் கிடைகளுக்கும் பாத்திரர்க்கும் சிவஸ்யஞ்சொல்லியாணியாக தனக்கும் தன் வர்க்கத்தாருக்கும் பெற்றுடைய ஆலப்பாக்கத்து சவணன் கோதண்டராமன் அசுவத்தம்பட்டனுக்கு நாளொன்றுக்கு நெல் முக்குறுணியும் காசெட்டும் சல்லியக்கிரியை பண்ணுவானுக்கு நாளொன்றுக்கு நெல் குறுணியும் ஆதுலர்க்கு மருந்துகளுக்கு வேண்டும் மருந்து பறித்து விறகிட்டு பரியாரம் பண்ணுவரிருவருக்கு நாளொன்றுக்கு நெல் குறுணியாக நெல்பதக்கும் காசொன்றாக காசிரண்டும் ஆதுலர்க்கு வேண்டும் பரியாரம் பண்ணி மருந்திடும் பெண்டுகளிருவருக்கு பேரால் நாநாழியாக நாளொன்றுக்கு நெல் குறுணியும் பேரால் காசரையாக காசொன்றும் ஆதுலர்க்கும் கிடைகளுக்கும் பாத்திரருக்கும் வேண்டும் பணிசெய்யும் நாவிசன் ஒருவனுக்கு நாளொன்றுக்கு நாநாழி ஆதுரசாலை வீரசோழனில் ஆண்டொன்றிலருமருந்து ஸ்ரீப்ராஹ்ம்ய மகருக்கு இப்படியொன்றும் … இப்படி ஹரிதகி படி இரண்டும் கோமூத்திர ஹரிதகி படியிரண்டும் தசமூலஹரிதகி படியொன்றும் பிப்லாதக ஹரிதகி படியொன்றும் கண்டீரம் படியொன்றும் பலாகோரண்டதைலம் தூணியும் பஞ்சார்கதைலம் தூணியும் ஸ்ரீலஸ்ரத்தா கோரண்டதைலம் தூணியும் கண்யாதிதைலம் தூணியும் ….. பதக்கும் சாக்ருதம் பதக்கும் வில்வாதி க்ருதம் பதக்கும் மண்டூரவாகம் இரண்டாயிரமும் மஹாசுமனத்ரி இரண்டாயிரமும் தந்த்ராதி இரண்டாயிரமும் பஞ்சகல்பம் தூணிபதக்கும் கல்யாணலவணம் தூணி பதக்கும் இவையடுகைக்கு வேண்டும் மருந்துகளுக்கும் நெய்யும் … வும் உள்ளிட்ட …. ஆண்டுதோரும் புராண.. சர்வ பசுவிநெய் பதக்கும் கொள்ள காசுநாற்பதும் ஆதுலசாலையில் இரா எரியும் விளக்கு ஒன்றுக்கு எண்ணெயாழாக்காக நாள் முன்னூற்றறுபதுக்கு எண்ணெய் நாற்பத்தைந்து நாழிக்கு காசிரண்டேகாலும்.. ஜனநாதன்… ல தன்யனுக்கு பங்குனி உத்திரம் தொடங்கி புரட்டாசி திருவோணத்தளவும் பரம்பாலூர… தண்ணீர் கொடுவந்து வைத்துச் சாய்ப்பான் ஒருவனுக்கு நாளொன்றுக்கு நெல் குறுணியாக நாள் நூற்றெண்பதுக்கு நெல் பதினெண்கலமும் ஏலத்துக்கும் இலாமிச்சத்துக்கும் நெல் இரு… ண்ணியாஹம் பண்ணின பிராமணர்க்கு தக்ஷிணாகம் வெற்றிலை வெருங்காய்க்கும் நெல் கலனே தூணி இருநாழி முழக்கே முச்செவிடும் வயலைக்காவூர் காணியுடைய மாதவன் தாயன் வர்க்கத்தார்க்கு புரட்டாதி திருவோணத்து நாள் உடுக்கும் பரிசட்டம் இரண்டுக்கு காசொன்றே எழுமாவும் மூவாயிரத்து இருநூற்று நாற்பத்து முக்கலனே இருதூணி பதக்கு அறுநாழி உழக்கே முச்செவிடுக்கும் காசு இருனூற்றொருபத்து ஆறறையே இரண்டு மாவுக்கும் இக்காசு பத்ராவிடில் காசொன்றுக்கு தண்டவாணி ஒன்றோடொக்கும் பொன்காசு நிறைகால் இடுவதாகவும் இப்படியாண்டு ஆறாவது நிபந்தம் செய்தபடி இந்நிபந்தம் தழுவக்குழைந்தானான அபிமானபேரு பிரம்ம மாராயன். (Source: Sri LV Krshnan REACH Foundation http://reachhistory.blogspot.com/2010/03/field-trip-of-second-batch-of-epigraphy.html)

Chola Units and measurements: Measure of Grain Volume

360 nel          - 1 soadu (33.6 ml)
5 soadu         - 1 aazhaakku
1 aazhaakku            - 168 ml
1 uzhakku               - 336 ml (2 aazhaakku)
1 Uri            - 672 ml (2 Uzhakku / 4 aazhakku)
1 Nazhi    (Padi)        - 1. 344 lit. (2 Uri / 4 Uzhakku / 8 aazhakku)   
1 Kuruni (Marakkal)    - 10. 752 lit. (8 nazhi / 16 uri / 32 uzhakku / 64 aazhakku)
1 Pathakku         - 21.504 lit. (2 kuruni / 16 nazhi / 32 uri / 64 uzhakku /128 aazhakku)
1 Thooni        - 43.008 lit (2 pathakku / 4 kuruni / 32 nazhi / 64 uri / 128 uzhakku / 256 aazhakku)
1 Kalam        - 86.016 lit (3 kalam / 6 pathakku / 12 kuruni / 96 nazhi / 192 uri / 384 uzhakku / 768 aazhakku)

Chola Units and measurements: Measure of  Fluid volume

5 sevidu= 1 aazhaakku
2 mahani = 1 aazhakku (arai kal padi)
2 aazhaakku= 1 uzhakku (Kal padi)
2 uzhakku= 1 uri (Arai padi)
2 uri= 1 padi
8 padi= 1 marakkaal
2 marakkaal(kuRuNi)= 1 padhakku
2 padhakku= 1 thooNi
21 Marakkal = 1 Kottai

Chola Units and measurements: Measure of Gold weights

1 Nel edai        - 0.0625 gram
1 Kundrimani         - 0.25 gram or (4 Nel edai)
1 Manjadi (Panavedai)    - 0.50 gram (or 8 Nel edai / 2 Kundrimani)
1 Kalanju        - 2.5 gram (5 Manjadi (Panavedai)
1 Varaganedai        - 4 gram (8 Manjadi (Panavedai) / 1.6 Kalanju)
1 Sovereign (Poun)    - 8 gram (16 Manjadi (Panavedai) / 1.5 Kalanju

Reference

1. Field trip of second batch of epigraphy students to Thirumukoodal. Reach Foundation. March 12, 2010. http://reachhistory.blogspot.com/2010/03/field-trip-of-second-batch-of-epigraphy.html
2. In typical Pallava style  by Chitra Madhavan. The Hindu Feb 04, 2005.
3. Treatment of the mentally ill in the Chola Empire in 11th -12th centuries AD: A study of epigraphs by Vijaya Raghavan. D, Tejus Murthy. A. G, and Somasundaram,  O. Indian Journal of Psychiatry. 2014 Apr-Jun; 56(2): 202–204.
4. Medicinal plants to grow again at ancient temple Julie Mariappan http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Layout/Includes/TOINEW/ArtWin.asp
5. Reminiscing the Chola legacy Chitra Madhavan Indian Express Jan 29, 2014
6. South Indian Inscriptions. Volume 12. Stones No.75 (A. R. No. 179 of 1915). Tirumukkudal, Conjeeveram Taluk, Chingleput District. On a slab supporting a beam set up in the inner enclosure of the Venkatesa-Perumal temple. http://www.whatisindia.com/inscriptions/south_indian_inscriptions/volume_12/stones_51_to_75.html
7. Thirumukkoodal Sri Appan Prasanna Venkatesa Perumaal. In Dhivya Dharsanam. Tuesday, May 24, 2011 http://www.dharsanam.com/2011/05/thirumukkoodal-sri-appan-prasanna.html
8. Worship of Lord Brahma, Part 61 
9. ஆயிரம் வருட பழமையான கல்லூரி by Sasi Dharan March 4, 2013 https://www.facebook.com/SasidharanGS?hc_location=timeline 
10. வரலாற்று வரைவுகள் இரா. கலைக்கோவன்    http://www.varalaaru.com/design/article.aspx?ArticleID=359

Chola Temples

 

Vijayalaya Choleeswaram, Narthamalai, Pudukkottai District Rebuilt by Vijayalaya Chola

Muvar Koil, Pudukkottai District, Paranthaka II

Srinivasanallur, Koraganathar Temple, Trichy District Paranthaka I

Darasuram Airavatesvara (Raja Rajeswaram) Temple , Kumbakonam - Rajaraja Chola II

Pullamangai Brahmapurirswarar, Thanjavur District, Paranthaga Chola I

Cholas built many temples all over Tamil Nadu.I am trying to map these temples with the Chola kings who built or rebuilt these temples based on the available inscriptions.

EARLY CHOLA PERIOD

Aditya Chola

1. Thirupparaithurai Tharugavaneswarar, Trichy – Aditya Chola
2. Kumaravayalur Tirukattrali Parameswarar, Trichy – Aditya Chola
3. Thiruvidaimaruthur Mahalingar, Kumbakonam – Aditya Chola
4. Nemam Airavateswarar, Thanjavur – Aditya Chola
5. Thillaisthanam Neyyadiappar, Thanjavur – Aditya Chola
6. Thiruchottruthurai Othavaneswarar, Thanjavur – Aditya Chola
7. Thirupponthuruthi Pasbavaneswarar, Thanjavur – Aditya Chola
8. Thiruvedikudi Vedapureeswarar, Thanjavur – Aditya Chola
9. Thirupazhanam Abathsahayeeswarar, Thanjavur – Aditya Chola
10. Kudanthai Nageeswarar, Kumbakonam – Aditya Chola
11. Thiruvayaru Panchnadeeswarar, Thiruvaiyaru – Aditya Chola
12. Thirukattalai Sundreeshwarar, Pudukottai – Aditya Chola
13. Thirukattupalli Agneeshwarar, Thiruvaiyaru – Aditya Chola
14. Keelayur Thenvayil Sreekoil, Nagapattinam – Aditya Chola
15. Lalgudi Sapthareeshwarar, Lalgudi, Trichy – Aditya Chola
16. Thirupurambiyam Satchinathar, Kumbakonam – Aditya Chola
17. Thiruerumbiyur Erumbeeswarar, Thiruverumbur, Trichy – Aditya Chola
18. Thiruchendurai Chandrasekarar, Trichy – Aditya Chola
19. The Ranganatha Temple at Srirangapatnam, Mandya district, Karnataka - Aditya Chola I
20. Nageswaran Temple, Kumbakonam - Aditya Chola I
21. Thirukadambatturai Udaiya Mahadevar (Matsyapurisvarar temple), Tudaiyar, Trichy - Aditya Chola I
    
     Paranthaka Chola I 

1. Uyyakondan Thirumalai Ujjivaneeswarar, Trichy - Paranthaga Chola I
2. Nangavaram Sundareeswarar, Trichy - Paranthaga Chola I
3. Andanallur Thiru Alanthurai Mahadevar or Vada Tirthanathar, Trichy - Paranthaga Chola I
4. Sithalingamadam Viyakrabatheeswarar, Villupuram - Paranthaga Chola I
5. Thiruvettriyur Adheepureeswarar, Chennai - Paranthaga Chola I
6. Madhuranthagam Sivan and Visnu koil, Kanchipuram - Paranthaga Chola I
7. Thiruvamathur Abirameswarar or Nandieswarar, Villupuram - Paranthaga Chola I
8. Kattumannarkudi Viranarayana Vinnagar, Chidambaram - Paranthaga Chola I
9. Erumbur Kadamabavaneeswarar, Cuddalore - Paranthaga Chola I
10. Cholapuram Sivan Koil, Perambalur - Paranthaga Chola I
11. Pullamangai Brahmapurirswarar,Papanasam, Thanjavur - Paranthaga Chola I
12. Thiruchennampoondi Sadayari, Thanjavur - Paranthaga Chola I
13. Thirunamanallur Tiruthondeeswarar, Tiruvannamalai - Paranthaga Chola I
14. Thiruvaduthurai Komuktheswarar, Nagapattinam - Paranthaga Chola I
15. Alambakkam Kailasanathar, Trichy - Paranthaga Chola I
16. Thirukandiyur Virattaneswarar, Thanjavur - Paranthaga Chola I
17. Thirupalthurai Adimuleswarar, Trichy - Paranthaga Chola I
18. Srinivasanallur Koranganathar, Musiri, Trichy - Paranthaga Chola I
19. Valikandapuram Valikandeswarar, Veppanthattai, Perambalur - Paranthaga Chola I
20. Thiruvalanchuzhi Temple, Tanjore District, Near Kumbakonam - Paranthaga Chola I
21. Tirumalpur, Vellore – Paranthaga Chola I
    
    
    Sundara Chola / Uthama Chola

1. Ponsei Nalthunaieswarar, Mayiladuthurai - Sundra Chola / Uthama Chola
2. Perungudi Agastheeswarar, Trichy - Sundra Chola / Uthama Chola
3. Konerirajapuram UmaMaheswarar, Mayiladuthurai - Sundra Chola / Uthama Chola
4. Thirukodikaval Sivan Koil, Mayiladuthurai - Sundra Chola / Uthama Chola
5. Karunthittaikudi Vasisteshwarar, Thanjavur - Sundra Chola / Uthama Chola
6. Anangur Sivan Koil, Namakkal - Sundra Chola / Uthama Chola
7. Thirunaraiyur Sithanathaswamy,Kumbakonam - Sundra Chola / Uthama Chola
8. Courtallam Soleeswarar, Kanchipuram - Sundra Chola / Uthama Chola
9. Koviladi Divyaganeeswarar, Trichy - Sundra Chola / Uthama Chola
10. Thodaiyur Bishamanganeeswarar,Pudukottai - Sundra Chola / Uthama Chola
11. Thirunageswararm Nageswarar, Kumbakonam - Sundra Chola / Uthama Chola
12. Sembianmadevi Kailasanathar, Thiruvarur - Sundra Chola / Uthama Chola
13. Thirukarugavur Sivan Koil, Thanjavur - Sundra Chola / Uthama Chola
14. Govindaputhur Gangasadatharar, Ariyalur - Sundra Chola / Uthama Chola
15. Kilapazhuvur Alandurayar, Ariyalur - Sundra Chola / Uthama Chola
16. Kodumbalur Thaligal, Pudukottai - Sundra Chola / Uthama Chola
    
    
    MEDIEVAL CHOLA PERIOD
    
    
    Rajaraja Chola I

1. The Brihadisvara Temple at Thanjavur - Rajaraja Chola I
2. Masilamaneeswarar temple, Utatur(Urrattur), Padalur, Trichy - Rajaraja Chola I 
3. Parameeswarar temple, Thirumangalam, Lalgudi, Trichy - Rajaraja Chola I
4. Kuganathaswamy Temple, Kanyakumari – Rajaraja Chola I 
5. Melpadi Samathi Koil, Vellore – Rajara Chola I
6. Narasimmaswamy, Ennairam, Villupuram – Rajaraja Chola I 
7. Kamarasavalli, Ariyalur – Rajaraja Chola I 
8. Adhi Lakshmi temple, Natham, Lalgudi, Trichy - Rajaraja Chola I and Kulothunga III 
9. Virinjipuram, Vellore – Rajaraja I and Kulothunga Chola I
10. Tiruvalisvaram temple near Tirunelveli – Rajaraja Chola I / Rajendra Chola I
11. Vaidyanatha Temple at Tirumalavadi – Rajaraja Chola I / Rajendra Chola I
12. Uttara Kailasa Temple at Thanjavur – Rajaraja Chola I / Rajendra Chola I
    
    
    Rajendra Chola I 

1. The Temple of Gangaikondacholisvaram - Rajendra Chola I
2. Dharasuram,, Thanjavur – Rajendra Chola I 
3. Bala Subramaniyar Koil, Theni – Rajendra Chola I
4. Ramanatheeswarar koil, Esalam, Villupuram – Rajendra Chola I
   
   
   LATER CHOLA PERIOD
    
   Rajaraja Chola II 

1. The Airavatesvara(Raja Rajeswaram) Temple at Darasuram, Kumbakonam - Rajaraja Chola II
2. Apradeeswara Temple- Nagar, Lalgudi - Rajaraja Chola II
   
    

1. Karakoil at Melakkadambur - Kulothunga Chola I
2. Amirthakateshwarar Temple, Melakadambur, Chidambaram - Kulothunga Chola I
3. Kambhareeswarar Temple, Thirubuvanam, Thanjavur District -  Kulothunga Chola I
4. Tirupuvanam, Thanjavur – Kulothunga Chola I

1. Jambukeswarar Temple, Thiruvanaikaval, Trichy - Kocengannan (Kochenga Chola)
2. Vekkaliamman Koil, Uraiyur, Trichy - Kochenga Chola

1. Agasteeswarar temple, Perungudi, Trichy - Sundara Chola
2. Nandhikeswarar, Thuriyur, Trichy - Sundara Chola

1. Achaleeswaram temple, Tiruvarur - Sembian Mahadevi, 10 the century
2. Tirunallam Temple(Gandaradityam) – Sembian Mahadevi
3. Kailasanathaswamy Temple, Sembianmadevi – Sembian Mahadevi
   
   
   CHOLA TEMPLES REBUILT 

1. Vijayalaya Choleeswaram, Naaratahamalai, Pudukottai District - Rebuilt by Vijayalaya Chola I
2. Thiruvalithayam - Padi, Chennai - Rajaraja Chola III
3. Varadharaja Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram - Rajendra Chola II 
4. Muvar Koil, Pudukottai - Parantaka II
5. Kampaharesvara temple at Tribhuvanam near Kumbakonam - Kulothunga Chola III
6. Kailasmudaiyar temple, Cholamadevi, Thiruverumbur, Trichy - Virarajendra Chola
7. Patteswarar Temple, Perur, Coimbatore – Karikala Perivalanam 
8. Tirunageeswaram, Tanjavur – Gandaraditya Chola 
9. Maada Kovil, Uraiyur, Trichy – Sengan Chola 
10. Tirupachur, Tiruthani, Chennai – Karikalan Chola 
11. Thiyagarajar Temple, Tiruvarur - Muchukanta Chola
12. Sri Pundarikashan Perumal Temple, Thiruvellarai - Sibi Chakravarthy

1. Annamalaiyar Temple, Thiruvannamalai - 9th century Chola king
2. Erumbeeswarar temple, Thiruverumbur, Trichy - Early Chola kings 
3. Amaleesvarar Temple, Gopurapatti, Tiruvassi, Trichy - Early Cholas
4. Vada Tirthanathar temple, Andavanallur, Trichy - Early Cholas
5. Sundareswarar temple, Paluvur, Karur-Trichy road - Early Cholas
6. Ekambareswarar Temple, Chidambaram - Rebuilt by Chola kings
7. Kasi viswanathar temple, Thirupattur, Siruganur, Trichy - Unknown Chola king 
8. Muchukondeeswarar, Kodumbalur, Pudukottai – Unknown Chola king
9. Kangeeswarar Koil, Kangaya Nallur, Vellore – Unknown Chola king
10. Tiruvakarai, Villupuram – Unknown Chola King
11. Tiruvamathur, Villupuram – Unknown Chola King
12. Thirutanthoneeswarar, Uraiyur, Trichy – Unknown Chola king
13. Sri Ranganatha temple at Srirangam- Unknown Chola king according to Legend
14. Thayinum Nalla Iswaram - Aaragalur, Perambalur District, Near Arumbavur - Vana Kovaraiyan, A Chola subsidiary
    
    Posted by Chennaitian  in Blogspot.Chennaitian on Thursday, July 7, 2011

Kirtimukha Motif in Temple Architecture

Temple Vimanam

Kirtimukha at the Nasika of Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple Tower Madurai

Kirtimukha above a Hindu temple entrance in Kathmandu, Nepal (Wikipedia)

Kirtimukha at Kasivisvesvara Temple at Lakkundi, Gadag district, Karnataka, India (Wikipedia)

Kirtimukha in Rock cut Ratha

Kirtimukha on the Vimana (Exterior wall)

Kirtimukha at the Adhishtana

Kirtimukha on Pillar Capitals

Kirtimukha at the top of the metallic arch structure over the deity (Thiruvachi)

Jewelry Pattern showing Kirtimukha

Have you come across in many Indian Hindu temples over the lintel arch (torana) of the inner sanctum entrance or the ramparts, nasikas of the temple tower, kapotas, dormer arches, at the top of the metallic arch structure over the deity (Thiruvachi)  the monstrous disembodied head with swallowing fierce face with decorative line of triform arch representing the eye-brows, narrow forehead, protruding eyeballs,   two horns with fanciful shape, erect ears of the lion, thick moustache, bulged cheeks, grooved and sharp  fangs, the rows of gory teeth, wide open mouth and protruding tongue? You might have wondered how this seeming incongruity came to adorn the inner entrance of sanctum. The Hindu iconography represents Kirtimukha aka Kirttimukha (Sanskrit terminology: 'Kirti' means glory or fame and 'Mukha' means face) with opposite meaning, 'the glorious face.' The Southeast Asian tradition represent it as 'Kala' and the Chinese iconography discern it as  T'ao t'ieh (Monster of Greed).

In Skanda Purana, the ancient Hindu mythological tale of Lord Subramanya, Lord Shiva created  from His 'Third Eye' an all-devouring monster to destroy  Jalandhara, the powerful king of the Daityas. The monster was roaring like thunder.It was in intense hunger and prayed the Lord for food. Lord Shiva instructed the monster to appease its hunger by devouring its own body commencing from its tail. The monster finished eating its own body leaving only its face in tact. The monster's face with sanguinary appearance impressed Lord Shiva and preferred to call it as Kirti Muka aka 'Face of Glory.' Lord Shiva ordained to represent 'Kirtimukha' at the lintel of the sanctum of the Lord. The Lord also noted that whosoever worship the Kirtimukha would acquire the benevolent grace of the Lord.

Due to this reason Indian Manual of Hindu Architectural texts like 'Manasara' have prescribed it, and the sculptors, wood carvers and painters used to  represent Kirtimukha as a decorative motif. The motif often find its place on the lintels of the gate of the inner sanctum,  at the corners of the pillars and pilasters, surmounting the pinnacle of a temple tower or vimana or in the iconography of an Hindu deity. Often the image of the Kirtimukha resembles the monstrous lion's face engaged in swallowing some object with bulging eyes and protruding tongue and gory teeth.

Earliest Kirtimukhas in India are demonic in forms.In western India this motif is understood as 'Grasamukha'and Rahu-mukha in eastern parts of India and 'Kala' in in South East Asian Countries. Also known as Simha-mukha in some other parts. Medieval Maurian (Indian) artists represented kirtimukhas as stylised lion's face on pillar capitals. The research has identified the presence of similar decorative motifs in Scythian, Helenic, Chinese art traditions.  Traditionally Kirtimukhas are believed to be warding the edifices off the evil and destroyers. The Kirtimukha motif was often used as a decorative motif surmounting nasikas of the temple tower or or at the top of the metallic arch structure over the deity (Thiruvachi). At the beginning our temple architecture widely used in the  "chaitya" arch with a "kirtimukha" above it. It is very popular in Hoysala temples and others. The motif was profusely used as sculptural decorations, where the artist wants to show strings, foliage or festoons issuing from its mouth, till 14th century. After the use of this motif was occasional used. In Gujarat people pay much respect to this motif when they are about to cross the thresholds of the sanctum and even sprinkle scented water while making entry.

Karakkoyil - Amirthakadeswarar Temple, Melakadambur

Karakkoyil

Karakkoyil - Amirthakadeswarar Temple, Malakadambur (early name Tirukkadambur) - 608 304, Cuddalore district, Tamil Nadu is known by the name Karakkoil. From Tamil literary sources we learn that there are nine categories of temple structures dedicated to Lord Shiva. They are: 'Perunkoyil', 'Karakkoyil', 'Gnalarkoyil', 'Koudikkoyil', 'Ilamkoyil', 'Manikkoyil', 'Alakkoyil', 'Madakkoyil' and 'Punkoyil.' 

Thirunavukkarasar (Appar) Thevaram mentions eight kinds of temples. They include They are: 'Perunkoyil', 'Karakkoyil', 'Gnalarkoyil', 'Koudikkoyil', 'Ilamkoyil', 'Manikkoyil', 'Alakkoyil', 'Madakkoyil' and 'Punkoyil.' 

அடிப்படைக் கோயிற்கலை அறிவோம்…

மரபுக் கட்டடக்கலை கட்டமைப்பு முறை

ஸ்தபதி.வே.இராமன்

பகுதி 1 – (சிற்ப நூல்கள்)

அறிமுக உரை:

‘பெருக்காறு சடைக்கணிந்த பெருமான் சேரும்

பெருங்கோயில் எழுபதினோ டெட்டும் மற்றும்

கரக்கோயில் கடிபொழிற்சூழ் ஞாழற் கோயில்

கருப்பறியல் பொருப்பனைய கொகுடிக்கோயில்

இருக்கோதி மறையவர்கள் வழிபட் டேத்தும்

இளங்கோயில் மணிக்கோயில் ஆலக்கோயில்

திருக்கோயில் சிவனுறையும் கோயில் சூழ்ந்து

தாழ்ந்திறைஞ்சத் தீவினைகள் தீருமன்றே’

அப்பர் பெருமான் தம் எளிய தமிழில் பெருங்கோயில், கரக்கோயில், ஞாழற்கோயில், கொகுடிக்கோயில், இளங்கோயில், மணிக்கோயில், ஆலக்கோயில் என பல்வகைக் கோயில்களைப் பற்றி பேசுகிறார். பல்லவர் காலத் தொடக்கத்திலும் இறுதியிலும் கோயில்களின் தோற்றத்தை இலக்கியம் மற்றும் கல்வெட்டுச் சான்றுகள் மூலமாகவே அறிய இயலுகிறது.

இத்தகைய கோயில்களை அறிந்துக் கொள்வதன் வாயிலாக நம்முடைய கலாச்சாரம், பண்பாடு, சிற்பிகளின் கட்டுமானத்திறன், தொழில் நுணுக்கம், தத்துவம், விஞ்ஞானம் இவற்றோடு நம்முடைய பக்தியையும் முழுமையாக அறிந்துக் கொள்ள முடிகிறது.