Pallava Period

Next to the Kalabhras the pallavas began to rule the Thondaimandalam region including the village Munnur. The Munnur Adavalleswarar temple has a unique place in the history of Saivism in Thondaimandalam region. It is closely associated with the Pallava monarchs. The temple has been renovated and restructured in many times. The date of this temple is not easy to determination as it has undergone renovations. It is not known how many times the temple was renovated and we cannot come to any conclusion on the basis of this present form. Regarding the origin of the Adavalleswarar temple like other South Indian temples is shrouded in mystery. The Sthalapurana and the tradition of this temple tell something about its origin but they are illusory in character. Adavalleswarar temple at Munnur is one of the most ancient temples like the place Munnur which is most ancient among the surrounding human habitation in Oima Nadu subdivision in Tamil Country.

The Pallava patronization is amply attested by the appearance of inscription in Grantha letters found on the floor of the Mahamandapa. The mutilated Grantha inscription clearly states that the temple might have been changed into stone structure for the first time during the Pallava period. To who me contributed and built this temple is shrouded in mystery. In addition to the mutilated Grantha inscription, the Pallava patronization is also attested by the appearance of Jeyastadevi bas-relic sculpture on the inner wall of the cella of this temple. We came to known that the tradition of the Jeshtadevi bas-relic sculpture which is the earliest sculptural representation, appeared on the inner wall of the cella of this temple.

The bas-relic sculpture appeared in the Adavalleswarar temple is also similar to the bas -relic sculpture appeared on the inner walls of Rathas in Mamallapuram. This sculptural similarity and its representation proved the fact that this shrine may be the earliest structure in Munnur. The tradition of carving the bas-relic sculpture which appeared on the inner walls of the sanctum sanctorum was inaugurate and became familiar during the days of Pallava Narasimhavarman I. Therefore the bas relic sculpture of Jeshtadevi appeared on the inner wall of the Adavalleswara central shrine and the appearance of Pallava mutilated Grantha inscription clearly reveals the fact that it might have been built as a small stone structure during the time of Pallava Narasimhavaram I. The mutilated Granta epigraph of the Pallavas and Jeshtadevi bas–relic sculpture of Narasimhavaraman I period proves its existence in the early 7^th century A.D. All these above mentioned primary sources clearly reveal the fact that this temple was probably constructed with stone in a small scale by Narasimhavarman I Pallava.