Later Chola Temples
by S. R. Balasubrahmanyam | 1979 | 143,852 words
This volume of Chola Temples covers Kulottunga I to Rajendra III in the timeframe A.D. 1070-1280. The Cholas of Southern India left a remarkable stamp in the history of Indian architecture and sculpture. Besides that, the Chola dynasty was a successful ruling dynasty even conquering overseas regions....
Temples in Nandavana
Nandavana is a small village in the Sidlaghata taluk of the Kolar district (Karnataka State). There is a temple here dedicated to Chennakesava. In the ancient days it went under the name of Sri Kulottungasola Nanadesi Vinnagar, evidently a Vishnu temple built by the then internationally famous merchant guild called the Nanadesis.
Chennakesava (Sri Kulottungasola Nanadesi Vinnagar) temple
On the basement of this temple, there is an inscription in Grantha and Tamil characters, beginning with svasti sri Pugal madu vilanga jayamadu virumba etc. It relates to the 33rd year of Kulottunga I and mentions Irattaipadikonda-sola mandalam, Melai-Marayapadi therein, Koyyakkurai nadu thereof. In that nadu was situated Verna.... ngal alias Rajendrasolap-pettai, where was located the Irudamaraya... rukkun-tiru-merkkoyil alias Sri Kulottungasola-Nanadesi-tiru-vinnagar-alvar-koyil, which was built by Vairagarajan, who was also known by the name of Virak-kilan Kamban Tiruchchirrambalam Udaiyan, of Peruvanjiyur, in Velimaanallur nadu in Urrukkattu kottam of Jayangondasola mandalam. He also raised the maddivilagam (91, Sidlaghata tq., Kolar district, Epi. Car.) round the temple.
Thus this temple named after the Chola emperor by the Nanadesis is a foundation of the days of Kulottunga I (a.d. 1103).