Kudandai Keezh Kottam alias Nageswaran temple of Kumbakonam. Since the reconstruction was started by Aditya (who is also known as Kothandarama) and completed by Parantaga 1, I termed this as Kothandaramayanam.
Interestingly this temple also has inscriptions of Pandya Parantaga- Jadila Parantaga alias Maran Chadayan who ruled in 765 -790. ( Since Maran Chadayan is also referred as Parantaga in epigraphs, i took him as Jadila Parantaga. The Chadayan Maran is Srimara Srivallabha. Request members to give their views)
(A. R. No. 13 of 1907) Kumbakonam, Kumbakonam Taluk, Tanjore District. On the west wall of the shrine of the goddess in the Nagesvara Temple. This Tamil record dated in the 4 + 4th year of Maranjadaiyan registers a gift of 138 cows and 100 kasu by the king for the supply of milk and ghee and for maintaining two perpetual lamps in the temple of Bhatara of Tirukkilkottam in Tirukkudammukkur, i.e., Kumbakonam. The regnal year of this inscription corresponds apparently to the year 4 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1, quoted in the Aduturai records. Year corresponds to 773 AD. Request members to give more details on the temple. Thevaaram.org mentions a new Chola Parantaga inscriptions. http://www.thevaaram.org/thirumurai_1/koil_view.php?koil_idField=95 An old person working in the temple took me around and told me that it was built by Pallavas in stone. The above inscription confirms that a stone temple indeed existed in 770s, much before Chola Parantaga. He sung the Appar Thevaram of the temple. At this age, his voice, adherence to sruti & Raga (Pan), voice range and the bhakthi are so intense; I felt that Appar would have sung like this only.
The panels are in the Adishtana tell the complete Ramayana story in sequence – some are missing, damaged and covered in a lime coat.
I have on my own interpreted the sculptures based on the sequence and request members to correct wherever I have gone wrong.
Putrakameshti Yagam : A person emerges from fire with the bowl Rama Jananam – Kousalya feeding the baby Ram. The divine is born as normal human Dasarada with his queens and children Viswamitra comes to court – to be confirmed Viswamitra teaches Rama various mantras Fight with Tadaka Tadaka killed Yagnas saved Ahalya emerges This panel looks like Kaikeyi , dasarada, rama episode Rama preparing for Vanavas Crossing the Ganga in Guha’s boat Virada Vadam Soorpanaga visits Lakshmana cuts Soorpanaga’s Nose. Kara – Dooshana – Trisiras Vadam (to check) Mareecha the deer Ravana carries Sita in a chariot– Jatayu interferes ( This scene is better depicted in Pullamangai. ) Jatayu Moksham Kabanda Vadam Meet Hanuman who carries Rama Lakshmana in shoulders to Sugreeva, Rama assures Sugreeva Valivadam Vali in deathbed ( similar to pullamangai image but worn out) Sugreeva Pattabishegam Lakshmana visits Kishkinda angrily after the monsoon and Tara pacify. Sugreeva meets Rama and Pacifies This panel is confusing. May be Rama giving his ring to Hanuman Hanuman goes to Lanka. Simhika and Lankini episodes Hanuman goes Ravana's bedroom and thinks Mandodari as Sita Ashokavanam – panel worn out –only outline visible Give ring to Sita – worn out Destroy Ashokavanam and fight with Akshaya Kumaran Hanuman Meets Ravana, It is beautifully depicted - Hanuman lengthened his tail and made an equal seat for himself. I have given two frames of the pannel here Lanka Dahanam, Hanuman’s various positions while burning the town Kanden Seethayai ( Saw seetha) – 2 frames of the same panel Vibeeshana Charanagati Setu Bandan Cross the sea Fight.
Some panels could not be understood as covered with mortar and worn out. Shown as unknown. i ahve also mentioned them as before and after based on the location.Breaking Siva Danusu, Sita Kalyanam, Ravana Vadam and Pattabishegam are missing or I could not locate. There is no panel after the one which I have named yuddam.
Visited Pullamangai but the vegetation is very thick both in the vimanam and the sorounding. Gurukkal says that every 2 months they clear but plants come fast. The vimanam now has a big Banyan growing along with a neem tree. I have taken a few images and prefixed them with Pulla. – Could not even stand and it was very risky to get down with such a thick vegetation.
With despair I looked up the Vimanam and to my surprise saw lord Rama in the Vimanam. ( Parantaga Raman) Request members to confirm whether it is Rama or Tripurantaga. Looks more as Rama.
-
You are invited to view 108599029527536569748's photo album: kothndaramayanam
kothndaramayanam Jul 2, 2010 by 108599029527536569748