Famous Temples in India

Architecture

Origin of the Name - The shrines were intended to house Hindu trinity namely Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva, one in each. Hence, these temples are collected came to be called as Moovar Koil (Three temples).

The temple complex has three major shrines. Of the three shrines, the central and the southern shrines have survived while the northern shrine has gone completely out of existence except the plinth. The three shrines stand side by side in a row, along the north-south direction, facing west. Each of the shrines had a closed Ardha Mandapam of which only the plinth remains. The Ardha Mandapam measures 18 feet by 18 feet. The Sanctum of the existing shrine measures 21 feet by 21 feet at the base. Both the Sanctum and Ardha Mandapam are square on plan. There is a common Maha Mandapa constructed in front of these main shrines of which only the plinth remains. It measures 91 feet by 41 feet, the remains of the basement of Nandi Mandapam, Balipeedam and Dhwaja Sthambam can be seen beyond the Maha Mandapam. The plinth of the three shrines rests on a lotus base. A frieze of Vyalis with makara heads with human figures inside the mouths runs above it.The Vimana over the sanctum of these shrines are of three tiers. Ardhanareesvara on the eastern niche, Lord Shiva in standing posture on the northern niche and empty niche on the southern side can be seen around the sanctum of the central shrine. Mother Parvathi on Lord Shiva’s lap on the eastern niche, Lord Shiva in sitting posture on the northern niche and Dakshinamoorthy on the southern niche can be seen around the second tier of the vimana of the central shrine. Indra on the eastern niche, Lord Shiva in sitting posture on the northern niche, Alinganamurti on the southern niche and Alinganamurti on the western niche can be seen around the griva of the central shrine.

Gangadhara on the eastern niche, Lord Shiva in standing posture on the northern niche and Veenadhara Dakshinamoorthy on the southern niche can be seen around the sanctum of the southern shrine. Kalarimoorthy on the eastern niche, Sanakara Narayana on the northern niche and Kalarimoorthy on the southern niche can be seen around the second tier of the vimana of the southern shrine. Andhakasura on the eastern niche, empty niche on the northern side, Alinganamurti on the southern niche and Gaja Samhara Moorthy on the western niche can be seen around the griva of the southern shrine. The temple complex contains remains of about sixteen subsidiary shrines around the three main shrines. Each of these subsidiary shrines had a Sanctum and Ardha Mandapam. The main shrines and the subsidiary shrines were enclosed within a compound wall. This compound wall has two gates, one in the west and another near the north eastern corner. Any one of these entrance gates would have had a gopuram. The north eastern gate leads to a well, approachable by a flight of stone steps. There is a shed housing the sculptures excavated from Moovar Koil and surrounding areas outside the temple complex near the road on the northern side. 

Inscriptions : These temples were constructed by the Chola feudatory and Irukkuvel chieftain Boothi Vikramakesari as per the inscription. The inscription in the temple also gives us a glimpse of the political climate of south India between the 8th and the 10th centuries as well as the relation between the royal houses of Chola and the Irukkuvel. The latter were traditional allies of the Cholas and the chief, Boothi Vikramakesari himself was the son of a Chola princess Anupama and Irukkuvel chieftain Samarabirama.