Gangaikonda Cholapuram – Minor Shrines
Durga Shrines
Images of Durga are enshrined in four cardinal
directions of the palace. Tradition says that these images guarded the four
gates of the fortified city. These are now at Palliodai in the north, at
Meykavalputhur in the east, and on Virareddi Street in the south. The fourth in
the west was originally near the bund of the great lake but has recently been
brought nearer to the palace and enshrined.
Durga on Virareddi Street
The Durga on Virareddi Street is a remarkable piece.
Durga is shown with eight arms, standing; right arms hold arrow from the
quiver, chakra and a sword; the lower right is with a trident piercing the
demon shown at her feet. The left arms hold sankha, bow, shield and the dying
demon, Mahisha. Durga's left leg is planted on the chest of the demon while her
right leg steadies her on the ground. Her amount is shown to the right at the
bottom.
The demon holding a shield and a sword is on his knees
slowly sinking. A halo is shown behind the deity. A careful study of the
sculpture, the arms, the weapons, the dying demon and the style and the
treatment of the figure suggest that this sculpture is Chalukyan in origin and were
brought as war trophy.
Kanakkupillaiyar
A few furlongs to the south west of the big temple is a
small shrine, enshrining a seated Ganesa of considerable beauty. It is four
armed, holding the little axe, rosary of beads, a broken tusk, and a matulinga
fruit. Around the waist is seen a serpent belt. This image also seems to be
Chalukyan in origin.
Kuruvalappar Temple
The Vishnu temple about a mile to the west of the great
temple is now called Kuruvalappar temple, believed to be a contraction of the
term Kurugai Kavalappar. The temple is intimately associated with the lives of
two Vaishnavite saints, Nathamuni and his grand-son Alavandar. Nathamuni spent
his last days here. Alavandar on hearing that Nathamuni was on his death bed,
hurried to this place; but before he could reach, the great Acharya passed
away.
Sri Alavandar erected a temple in the place where the
Acharya attained salvation. According to tradition the present temple was the
one built by Alavandar. The main deity called Viranarayanap Perumal is in
standing pose. The temple is preceded by a small entrance tower.
Aiyanar Temple
To the south east of the palace remains, is a small
shrine of Aiyanar. The temple faces south and houses a beautiful image of
Aiyanar and his consorts Purna and Pushkala. The sculpture of Aiyanar is an
elegant image and closely resembles the sculptures on the main temple and
decidedly a sculpture of Rajendra's period.
