 A view of
the temple complex
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Kunnandarkoil, referred to in inscriptions as Thiruk-kunrak-kudi
(திருக்குன்றக்குடி), has a rock cut temple, which may be assigned to
the time of Nandi-varman II Pallava-malla (நந்திவர்மன் II பல்லவமல்லன்) (C. 710-775 AD). In the course
of the centuries, it developed, with structural additions, into a big
complex. In plan it is similar to the
Gokarnesvara temple (கோகர்னேஸ்வரர் கோயில்) at
Thirugokarnam (திருக்கோகர்னம்).
It is a fascinating monument to study. Its main artistic gifts are a
hundred and one pillared 'ratha' (ரதம், chariot) mandapam, and two splendid
portrait sculptures doing duty as dvara-palaka-s (துவாரபாலகர்) before the
main shrine.
The temple has some fine bronzes also.
The Temple Architecture:
The rock has been excavated in two sections. In the bigger is the
shrine of the principal deity, Parvatha-girisvara (பர்வத கிரீஸ்வரர்). To
the left, separated by wall, is a smaller section in which there are
three shrines dedicated to Thandavar (தாண்டவர்), Subrahmanya
(சுப்பிரமணியர்) and Ayyanar (அய்யனார்). Facing them, on the side, is a
fourth small excavation containing an image of Chandrasekhara (சந்திரசேகரர்). These
images of sub-deities are later additions.
 Valamburi
Ganesa
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In the main shrine, on the rock face, to the south of the cave is a
figure of Ganesa with his trunk curled to the right, and to the north
is a Somaskanda group (சோமஸ்கந்தர்) in which Subrahmanya, who is
generally placed between Siva and Uma, is placed to the left of Uma.
The Dvara-palaka-s are portrait-sculptures. The figure to the south is
that of a chief, probably the Pallava king himself, or a Muttaraiyar
(முத்தரையர்) vassal of his.
Dvara-palaka
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A small oblong ardha-mandapam (அர்த்தமண்டபம்) fronts the shrine. The facade has not been
worked upon. Nor there is a prakaram around the shrine. The structural
Maha-mandapam, of later construction, contains a number of portrait
sculptures. The image of a Pattavan (பட்டவன்) here represents a man who
lost his life fighting some robbers, while watching the temple
property, and offerings are occasionally made to him.
Beyond the gopuram stand several structures. The shrine of the Goddess
Umayambigai (உமையாம்பிகை), is here. Opposite to it, and facing the
shrine of the Lord, is a nandi mandapam (நந்திமண்டபம்). Adjacent to it
is a small mandapam with four pillars.
 Ratha
mandapam
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A little farther off is the striking Ratha (chariot) mandapam. It is of
the Vijayanagara style. On an elevation stands a big hall with hundred
and one pillars in six rows. To the basement are added stone wheels to
simulate a running chariot.
The Inscription:
There are nearly forty inscriptions in the temple.
The two oldest inscriptions in the temple belong to the reigns of
Nandi-varman (நந்திவர்மன்) and Danti-varman (தன்டி வர்மன்), and refer to the feeding of Brahmins and
other persons during the Aardra festival (ஆருத்ரா தரிசன விழா). The
other inscriptions belong to the reigns of the Chozha-Chalukya after Pandya-s and
Vijayanagara kings. One of the Pandya inscriptions is a
royal order instituting a daily service in the temple called Rayarayan
Sundara Pandyan Sandhi (இராயராயன் சுந்தர பாண்டியன் சந்தி). Another relates to a sale of lands to Vyapaka
Siva (வியாபக சிவன்), a disciple of the spiritual head of the
Naduvil-matham (நடுவில்மதம்) at Tiruvanaikovil (திருவானைக்கோவில்). There
is a record here, which related to a covenant among Araiyar-s who agreed
not to cause any damage to the villagers, and not to molest wayfarers
and tenants whenever they were engaged in internecine feuds. An undated
inscription on the unfinished gopuram in modern script relates to a
toll of 1/16 panam levied for the benefit of the temple on every
package of goods coming from or going to Thanjavur (தஞ்ஞாவூர்) and
Tiruchirappalli (திருச்சிராப்பள்ளி).
Kunnandarkoil is one of the earlier Karala-Vellalar (காராள வெள்ளாளர்)
settlements in the state. It is also an important Kallar settlement. It
is said that the northern part of the village belongs to the Kallar of
the Vadamalai-nadu (வடமலை நாடு), and the southern to those of the
Temmalai-nadu (தெம்மலை நாடு). The joint meetings of the Panchayats of
the two nadu-s are held in the Kunnandarkoil temple. An inscription in
the temple dated about 1394 AD tells of a joint meeting of assemblies,
artisans and agriculturists to which learned and influential men were
invited from Srirangam (ஸ்ரீரங்கம்) and Tiruvanaikovil (திருவானைக்கோவில்) to consider the
loss of life and property that the Kallar-s (கள்ளர்) had caused and to
afford protection to the people, who in return were asked to make to
the temple an annual payment, and an offering of a ring for every
marriage celebrated.
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