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 ...
Madavarayan mandapa
The mandapa lies next to the mahamandapa with a flat topped roof supported by pillars. It is of 7.20 mtrs length, 7.20 mtrs width and 4.00 mtrs height and is open on the southern side. Sixteen pillars have standing in 2 rows with four pillars in each row shouldering the flat roof of this mandapa. The crowning member of the pillars are heavy beveled corbels with prominent tenon like projections. The pillars carry a horizontal beam lending support to the superstructure. The square type of pillar composed of three sadurams (square) and two octagonal intervening portions. This mandapa is closed by walls on the three sides and opened on the south side. It has a porch approached by a flight of steps on the south east and south west corners of this mandapa decorated with balustrades.
Below the adhistana there must have been an upapitha, which is evidently buried in the inner flooring. The bottom most layer of adhistana is upana which is plain without any ornamentation. This upana is followed by padma. Then comes Tripattaikumuda with padmadala followed by vyalavari over it the bhitti portion is plain. Niches and pilasters are absent in the walls. The wall is capped by ribbed mouldings. Of uttara, padma, and hanging inverted kodungai with kudu profiles inset with gandharvamukha on its key holes. A balipitha and a Nandi are furnished in front of the mahamandapa.
The walls of this mandapa are filled with inscriptions. A record[1] belongs to Chola Rajadhiraja II issued in his 11th regnal year (A.D.1173) found on the northern side of Mahamandapa of the Adavalleswarar shrine stats that one Senkeni Ammiappa Sri Pallavanbinan Rajanarayana Sambuvarayan a feudatory of the Cholas in the name of Chola Rajdhiraja II built the Ethirilikanarayan Thirumaligai the present Madavarayan mandapa and the Thiruchutrumaligai[2] of the Udayar Adavallanayanar temple. From this inscriptions we can infer that this Madavarayan mandapa was built during the 12th century AD. Besides the expression Thirupani[3] clearly reveals the fact that the temple had under gone a renovation work by Rajanarayana Sambuvarayas in the name of Rajadhiraja II. The record also states the Primal deity in the name of Udaiyar Adavallanayanar for the first time. These expression states that from the time of Rajadhiraja II[4] in his 11th regnal year (A.D.1173) the temple is known in the present name Adavalleswarar temple.
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
Unpublished Inscription., See Appendix, No. 2
[2]:
A.R.E., 71 of 1919.
[3]:
Ibid.,
[4]:
Unpublished Inscription., See Appendix, No. 2