Inspite of job pressures, I got a chance to visit my hometown Karaikudi during the recent holidays. On a day to visit Kundarakudi temple, I am surprised to know that beside the hilltop, at the ground level there is a temple is maintained by ASI where a lot of inscriptions belonging to Pandyas, Rajaraja are there.(Infact, I am ashamed that I don't this information till then, though I've lived nearby)
The ASI guard Balakumar was mentioning that Nalini Madam and Dr.Kalaikovan have read those inscriptions and collected details on them.
Beautiful Kuduvari Koil it is.. Precious Stone sculptures..
Any team members can throw some more light on this temple site..??
Of course, SP sir, any chance of visiting this temple? If feasible, I'd love to accomdate..
KunRaikudi is a great Pandya Cave temple. We have had the fortune of visiting it with Dr. Kalaikkovan and Dr. Nalini. Their work at ThirukOLakudi cave and kunRakkudi cave has been published in the "varalaaru journal (not varalaaru.com). They can be obtained by contacting Dr.Kalaikkovan.
We were novices when we visited the temple (not that we are experts now, but we posessed 0% knowledge then and we have 0.1% knowledge now) and hence could appreciate the temple only at a miniscule level. I had written abt. that trip to kamal and Gokul. The travelogue is below. You would need TSCII fonts to read the same. A edited version can be read here: http://www.maraththadi.com/article.asp?id=1789
Pillayarpatti dating 3rd Century...??? Interesting.. I am in a wrong impression first that it belogs to Narashima Pallava period..Then somebody mentioned that it belongs to Pandyas..(is it Venkat sir..? not sure!!)
BTW, G, what supports that it belongs to 3rd century? Is it in the same name of Pillayarpatti or Marudheeswaram? (the temple may be actually siva temple - Marudheeswarar - Kusalaambal, and at some point I think Pillayar might got famous..:-) )
Interesting to know more..
With regards, Raj. (PS: Studied in KKDI?.. Where and when? I did from ACCET).
Dr.Jaybee's email raised interesting thoughts in my mind. Shankara naarayana form seems to be a very early form of worship - which is a surprise to me. I was of the impression that this was an integration effort initiated at a later time. I was wrong.
I always believed that thiruppathi could have been a form of shankaranaarayana - based on nammazhvar's "Thazh sadaiyum neel mudiym on mazhuvum sakkaramum - soozh aravum ponnanum thondrumal...." a very picturisque description of shankara naarayana.
Varalaaru jornal is an annual/bi-annual (depending on editor's convenience) run by Dr. M. Rajamanikkanar Centre for Historical Research. It can be obtained by contacting Dr.Kalaikkovan. Here are the contacts:
Dr. M. Rajamanikkanar Centre for Historical Research C-87, 10th Cross, Thillai Nagar west, Trichirapalli - 620018 Ph: 0431 2740302 (res) 0431 2766581 (off)
The magazine can be obtained by sending a draft in favor of the centre. Pls. contact Dr.Kalaikkovan for the charges that may include the shipment.
Varalaaru.com is a e-magazine of history, where the contents may not contain 100% research. In its present format the magazine is more of a primer for serious research. Needless to say Dr.Kalaikkovan and Dr.Nalini are among the chief contrubutors and act as guides for the rest of the crew in the editorial board.
Thanks Ram.I will get in touch with Dr.kalikovan once i back to India on April. Probably i will visit Trichy on April 14 -17,will personally meet him,if his time permits.