MOOVAR KOIL

Excellent reflection of early Chola architecture

Moovar koil is a historical three temple complex under the control of Archaeological Society of India located in  a quaint village by name Kodumbalur   about  36 km from Pudukkottai, Tamilnadu, India.

This village is a very ancient place  and is important in three respects

1. Birthplace of Idangali-Nayanar,  one of the 63 Shaiva saints
2. Tamil classic Silappadikaram  refers to the village as Kodumbai lying on the highway between Uraiyur and Madura. Kovalan, the hero of Silappadikaram, traveled along this route accompanied by his wife, Kannagi, and a Jaina ascetic. Uraiyur (now Trichy) was the capital of the Cholas while Madura (now Madurai) was  the capital of the Pandyas.
3. Periyapuranam refers Kodumbar as Konnatuk-kodi-nagaram (apex town of Konadu).

This temple complex was constructed in10th century by the Irukkuvel chieftain Boothi Vikramakesari a vassal to Chola king Sundarapandian Chola Paranthaka Chola II according to Sanskrit inscription in Grantha script found in the southern wall of the central shrine. Only two of the three temples have managed to survive the sands of time with the third one reduced to only the foundation.  

According to the inscription the Irukavel cheiftain built one temple for himself and the other two for his wives namely Nangai Varaguna Perumanar and Karrali. Other theories say that the three Temples well built for Appar Sundarar and Manickavasagar. Another theory says that the Moovar koil represents the Chera Chola and Pandya Kings.one more theory says  that the temple represents the Thirumurthis Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma. The northern  temple has been reduced to foundation level while the southern and central temples are in good condition after renovation. 

All Temples are facing west. The surviving Temples are  built on an inverted lotus base. Above the lotus base there is a row of projection consisting of yazhi and gargoyles. The walls are provided with Kostas or niches which are tetragonal in shape housing beautiful sculptures of Arthanaeswara,Veenatharamoorthy,Hariharan, Kalari,Gaja (Elephant) Samharamurthi and Gangadaramurthi, Shiva, Parvati, Karthikeyan and Bairavar.

There is a well with steps leading to the bottom.

The Vimanam is three tired.

There is a beautiful lawn with flowers garden maintained around the Moovar Temples.

The entire complex is fenced and this ASI site is ticketed.