Temples In Punjai

Naltunai Isvaram

The temple of Naltunai Isvaram called in the past according to the local inscriptions, Tiru-nani-Palli Udaiyar temple should also be ascribed to the period of Sundara Chola, as Aditya II ruled only as coregent for five years before his death at the hands of assassins. The earliest inscription in this temple is one of “Parakes-arivarman who took the head of the Pandya” i.e. Aditya II. It is found not on the walls of the central shrine, but on the subshrine of Chandesvara. And the earliest inscription on the walls of the main shrine is one of the 22nd year of Rajaraja I, in whose time the mukhamandapa called Mummudi mandapa or Perambalam was constructed.

The temple faces the east. The garbhagriha is a square. An antarala with a gateway connects the ardhamandapa with the mukhamandapa of the days of Rajaraja I.

The devakoshtas are adorned with makara toranas at the top with sculptures in the pediment.

The devakoshta figures are Ganesa, Agastyar, Dakshi-namurti in the south, Lingodbhavar in the west, and Brahma and Durga in the north.

There is a bhutagana frieze below the cornice, and a yali frieze above. The cornice is adorned with kudus and with central and edge scrolls.

There are 64 panels of miniature-sculptures on the walls of this temple, as in the temple of Kilur, Tiruk-kandiyur, Nagesvaram, Pullamangai and other early Chola temples.

The temple is undergoing repairs. The sikhara made of brick and stucco is round and modern.