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 Alangudi
Alangudi is a village in the Papanasam taluk about 15 km. south of Kumbakonam in the Tanjavur district. Its ancient name was Irumbulai, and, during the days of the Cholas, it became part of Jananatha chaturvedimangalam, located in Mudikondasola valanadu.
Apatsahayesvara temple
The temple here is dedicated to Apatsahayesvara. We have already dealt with this temple under ‘Vikrama Chola’s Temples’ (Ch. 4). It received considerable attention during the days of Vikrama Chola. It was perhaps extensively remodelled by him. On the walls of the main shrine is one of Vikrama Chola’s more important inscriptions, dealing with his extensive contributions to temple building activity, particularly at Chidambaram.
An inscription found in this temple and dated in the 15th regnal year of Rajaraja III (= a.d. 1231) (with the manm irunangu introduction) mentions that land was gifted by Vanadaraya alias Rajendra Korramangala Nadalvan for constructing with stone the second prakara of the temple and for offerings (ARE 516 of 1920). Thus additions were made to this temple during the days of Rajaraja III.