The present temple structure that stands at Tirunavalur today owes its existence to Rajaditya chola (Takkolam war hero).
But there was an earlier pallava temple which stood there once upon a time. It no longer remains today. A beautiful elephant head from this temple survives.
The name of this temple is : THIRUTHTHONDAR ISWARAM (THIRUTHONDEESWARAM)
Remember Thiruthondar thogai of Sundara!
>> Chola painting:
The visible words on the tail end of palm leaf in the chola painting at Raajarajeswaram read: IPPADIKKU MOOVENDA VELAN (as read by Dr Nalini)
Dear SPS Sir Naavalur of Sundarar- The stone structure of Thiruthondeeswarar Temple was built in Parantaka I's 38th year by his son Rajathithan and his mother Kokkizhanadigal's parivarathal Chithirakomalam has given a Ezhathu Vilakku and 90 Sava Moova Peradu and the temple was called Rajathitheeswaram (Epi.Graphica Vol.VII). RRC's 21st year inscriptions is also here. Another temple for Vishnu 'Thirumetrali Mahavishnu Temple' is also there, which was built in 32nd year of Parantaka I. Kindly correct me if I am incorrect.
While describing the grants by others members of the Royal Family of Parantaka I,.. S. Swaminathan (foreward :: Chief Epigraphist, ASI Delhi - Sharadha Publications Delhi - 1998) states:
"" Bhuti Aditha Pidari had caused to be made a stone temple for Mahadeva at Thiruchendurai and made endowments.
In 935 AD, the Queen of Parantaka I - Kokkilanadigal had also CONSTRUCTED a temple called Rajadityeswaram, named after HER SON RAJADITYA in Stone at THIRUNAVALUR in Thirumunaippadi.- citing Ep. Indica Vol VII (Which you also cited) Pages 133 - 34.
His second son Gandradithya composed 11 devotional hymns on Lord Nataraja of Chidambaram... " "