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 ...

Vishveswarar Sub-shrine

Vishveswarar shrine, built as an independent structure is situated in the west side of the second prakara. It has a square sanctum. The sanctum is crowned with a vimana. It is dedicated to Lord Vishveswarar. This shrine seems to have been built in the 12th century A.D. This shrine consists of square cell preceded by rectangular mandapa. The cell is intended for housing Vishveswarar. This shrine facing east. The adhistana of the vimana is very simple. The pilasters on the wall contain rectangular base (kal), a padmabandam, kalasam, tadi, kumudam and a thin square palagai is surmounted by pushpa potika capital. The niches are absent here. The prastara above the capital carry the padma vari, koduhgai with kudus and yalvari. Above this vari, griva is found. In grivakostas there are Vinayaka figures. The expression Prathishttai is identified with the construction of the sub-shrine of Vishveswarar during the time of Rajendra II. From this it is clear that the Brahmin Bhattar in the name of his royal patron Chola Rajaraja II (installed) established a Vishveswarar image in the Parivara Alaya as a Parivara deity. After its construction, gold coins were entrusted to the Siva Brahmans to conduct the rituals and burning the santhi lamp every day to the Vishveswarar sub-shrine of the temple.

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