Famous Temples in India

Architecture

The original name given to the temple by its builders was Manuma Siddhisvaram, from which the (present) name of Siddhesvara for the deity is derived. Temple faces West unlike the other temples of lord shiva. Thus the temple and the hall in front could be attributed to the second half of the 13th century. This inference is confirmed by the stylistic characteristics of the mandapa. The Mandapa art and architecture is very beautiful and elegant. Carvings of puranic scenes like Kaliyuga, Vamana sitting posture of 'Narasimhi' half portion Ugranarasimha, half portion Devi Narasimhi and Ardhanarasimhi. Two inscriptions found on the walls of the shrine. The two temples were renovated during the period of Chola king Manuma Siddhi in 1270 as per the scriptures found in the temple. On a slab fixed to the left of the entrance to this temple, there is an inscription which belongs to the days of ‘Virarajendra’ (i.e., Rajendra-III). Another inscription, also found on a slab built into the wall to the right of the entrance into the temple (1963-64), relates to the second year of the reign of Tribhuvana-chakravartigal Irumadi Tirukkalattidevar, it is in Tamil and is dated in Saka 1201 (1279 A.D). There is a small pond infront of the temple entrance.