Moovar Koil, Kodumbalur near Pudukkottai… Moovar Koil which is also proudly called as “The Three temples” is a complex of Temple, located in the village of Kodumbalur, located a few kilometres far away from Pudukkottai in Tamil Nadu. These temples were constructed by the Chola chieftain Boothi Vikramakesari as per the inscription found in the temple. The place was once ruled by Irukkuvel chieftains. At Kodumbalur a fierce battle was once happened between the Pandyas and the Pallavas.
According to the temple inscription, three temples were built by the Chieftain in the complex one for himself and the other two for his wives. Only the basement survives the northern shrine. The walls are rich in details and there is a small shrine for Nandi in front of the Maha mandapa.
According to legend, the temple was believed to be one of the ancient temples of the Chola Empire, with the other three being Koranganatha Temple in Tiruchirappalli district, Nageswaran temple at Kumbakonam and Brahmapureeswarar temple in Thanjavur district. These temples follow the Pallava architecture which are relatively small in size. They all have a fair-sized porch, locally called ardhamandapa attached to the sanctum, both of which are slightly below the ground level in a pit kind of structure.
The structures are also predominantly built of stone. Near Moovar Koil, located is a Shiva temple called as Muchukundeswarar temple which is one of the earliest temples built by the Cholas. The temple complex is maintained and administered by the Archaeological Survey of India as an ancient monument.
The temple is very important for its rich Chola architecture. The inscription in the temple also gives us an idea of the political climate of south India between the 8th and the 10th centuries as well as the relation between the royal houses of Chola and the Irukkuvel. The chief, Boothi Vikramakesari was the son of a Chola princess Anupama and Irukkuvel chieftain Samarabirama.
“OM”
COMPILED BY
R. HARISHANKAR