In the Naarthamalai complex there are two wonderful Kudaivarais near vijayalaya choleeswaram (which is structural temple).
One is for shiva other for vishnu
The main deity in the sacntum sanctorum of vishnu temple is missing (meaning it was not sculpted as a part and parcel of the kudaivarai)
But in arthamantapa, there are 12 "vishnus" - all in similar poses ! all having shanka chakra abhaya and katiyavalambitha postures. (To those who are confused with this terminology it is same as thirupathi god with 4 hands and no garlands !)
Obviously these are not "vishnus" because Vishnu is portrayed as a superior god singular entity.
These are also not the 12 manifestations of vishnu - Madhava, trivikrama, madhusoodhana etc. Because each of these forms have different hand / weapon postures (all 12 can be seen in Belur chennakesava temple).
I am not able to understand the significance. The kudaivarai is attributed to padhinen bhoomi nagarathar a merchantile community just like thisai ayirarathu munnutruvar who were famous in pudukkotai regions during vijayalaya muttaraiya times