Temples of Munnur (Historical Study)

by R. Muthuraman | 2016 | 67,784 words

This essay represents a historical study of the Temples in and around Munnur, situated in the Dakshina Kannada district in the state Karnataka (India). Munnur is regarded as an important religious city for the followers of both Shaivism and Vaishnavism. The ancient history of Munnur traces to the reign of the Chola, from whom the city derives it's ...

Introduction: Architecture of the Temple

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The expression "architecture" is derived from the Latin word 'architectura' meaning chief craftsman.^[1] It is one of the fine arts and incorporates the other arts. Architecture is an art that combines in itself technology, aesthetics and fantasy.^[2]

In India the Architecture has been generally developed with the construction of temples^[3].It is considered that God and His temple correspond to the soul and body of a human being.^[4] The names of the various limbs of human body are applied in architectural texts to denote the temple structures such as pada, griva, sikhara and it reflects the concept of organic unity in temple architecture.^[5] Thus Indian architecture stands as a material record for spiritualism.

The available architectural texts reveal the temple architecture in detailed manner, such as Mayamata, Visvakarmiya, Indramata, Manasara [manasaram] and Kasyapa [kasyapam].^[6] Besides the Sastras, Puranas, Agamas, Tantras, Samhitas and Silparatna state the rules and regulations leading to the construction of temples.^[7] The Indian Temple^[8] architecture is divided into three divisions namely Nagara, Vesara and Dravida based on its plan and appearance^[9].

The Indians had acquired the knowledge of architecture even during the ancient period. The earliest phases of the Indian architecture^[10] are the remains of the ancient cities of the Indus Valley Civilization and still it is mystery whether there were temples or places of worship. In the next phase during Vedic age the ruins of Aryan temples are not found because they lived in rudimentary structures of roads and thatched leaves. However the Vedas furnished the descriptions of buildings.^[11] Moreover before the emergence of Buddhism, the temples were not familiar in Hindu religion.

The succeeding phase of Indian architecture belongs to the Maurya period. The non perishable medium of stone was first introduced by the emperor Asoka in his constructed the Buddhist chaityas and viharas.^[12] The same technique is adopted by the Guptas in the North and by the Chalukyas, the Pallavas, and the Pandyas in the South.^[13]

The most ancient temple existing in Tamil country belongs to the Pallavas, who ruled for nearly three centuries from A.D. 600 to 900 A.D^[14] During the pre-Pallava period temples were built with the aid of perishable materials like wood, brick, mud and so on.^[15] Kadiyalur Urudirankannanar,^[16] the great poet of the Sangam age, gives references to a temple made of bricks in his works.^[17] Archaeological survey of India recently discovered a temple belonged to post Sangam period at Saluvankuppam near Mahabalipuram on the coastal line of Bay of Bengal.^[18]

The Pallavas laid the foundation for the Dravidian style and formed a brilliant chapter to architecture in the history of Tamil Country. Pallava architecture is classified into four groups as Mahendra Group (A.D. 600 c -640), Mamalla Group (A.D. 640–c. 690), Rajasimha Group (A.D. 690 -c. 800) and Nandivarman Group. (A.D. 800 -c. 900).^[19]

Mahendravarman I established a new trend in art through the Dravidian style of art and architecture. He introduced the technique of excavating cave temples, which are found in many places between Chennai in the north and Tiruchirappalli in the south.^[20] Narasimhavarman I made further advances in the rock cut temple arts. He excavated monolithic free standing temples commonly called Rathas at Mahabalipuraram. Rajasimha I also opened new vistas in the field of temple building art. He built structural temples with stone blocks (cut out of rocks). The shore temple at Mahabalipuram^[21] and the Kailasanatha temple at Kanchipuram are the best examples of the Pallava art^[22].

The succeeding Chola age was said to be the Golden age in the annals of the temple history^[23] If the Pallavas excelled in splendid sculptures, the Chola rulers can be credited with construction of magnificent temples.^[24] The Chola art and architecture can be divided into three periods as the early Chola period (A.D. 850–985 A.D.) beginning from Vijayalaya to Uttamachola, the middle Chola period (A.D. 985–1070 A.D) from Rajaraja I to Adhirajendra, and the later Chola period (A.D. 1070 -1270 A.D) from Kulottunga I to Rajendra III.^[25] The architectural tradition that flourished during the last days of their predecessors was continued by the early Cholas in the beginning. Vijayalaya Cholisvaram temple at Nartamalai, the Muvarkoyil at Kodumbalur are fine specimens of this early period.^[26]

Temple architecture entered a distinctive phase during the reign of Rajaraja I the great, and his son Rajendra I. Brahadisvarar temple at Thanjavur and the Siva temple of Gangaikondacholapuram, are their glorious monuments. Enormous sized vimana over carved pillars are the most striking features of this period.^[27]

The final phase of the Chola architecture is also remarkable for certain features. An important feature of this period is the growth of gopura more in height than that of the vimana.^[28] Another notable feature of this period is the erection of hundred Pillared mandapas and Tirukkamakkottams, (Amman Shrine)which were usually built outside the central shrine Airavatesvarar temple of Rajaraja II and the Kampaharesvarar temple of Kulottunga III are the most impressive examples of this period.^[29] In addition to the above mentioned features, a large number of temples were erected all over the Tamil Nadu than, by those of their successors.^[30] Munnur Adavalleswarar temple is one of the most remarkable temples of the Chola period. The temple stands at present the main deity is called Adavalleswarar.^[31] Two main temples viz., Adavalleswarar temple and Arulala Perumal temple are taken for investigation in this chapter. Since, the superstructures of two temples underwent renovation at a later date; the parts only from upana to prastara are examined. A study of the two temples of the later Chola and later Pandya have also been taken into account.

In order to understand the architecture of Adavalleswarar temple, a historical backdrop is given. Following that, a general description of architecture of this temple under study is given.