Kodumbalur
is 36 km from Pudukkottai. Kodumbalur is the site of some structural temples of
great beauty. Their merit marks them out as among the most outstanding
monuments in India. Two monuments alone are survived. They are the celebrated
Muvarkoyil and Muchu-kundesvara-koil. There are survivals of an Aivar-koil and
of another Siva temple.
It is
Muvar-koil, which is the centre of attraction. They were built by Boodhi
Vikrama Kesari, a general of the Chola army in the 10th century A.D. One of the
Irukku Velirs who ruled this place, named Idangazhi Nayanar is included n the
canons of the 63 Nayanmars.
This
place was also a stage of fierce battles between the Pandyas and the Pallavas.
The architecture of this temple is unique among the temples of south India. The
sculptures of kalarimurthi, Gaja (Elephant) Samharamurthi, Gangadaramurthi etc.
are unique masterpieces. Nearby is the temple dedicated to Muchukundeswarar of
the early Chola period is located.These temples are considered to be the
forerunners of the great Imperial Chozha temples. Some important inscriptions
are also found here.
History
Kodumbalur is one of the most ancient places in
Pudukkottai and perhaps the oldest historically recorded site. The
Silappadikaram, the earliest Tamil epic, mentions Kodumbai as lying on the
highway between Uraiyur, the Chozha capital and Madurai, the Pandya capital.
It is through this road did Kovalan, the hero of Silappadikaram and his
wife Kannagi, along with a Jaina acetic, travelled from Uraiyur to
Madurai. The Periyapuranam also mentions about this place and calls it the
Konattukkodinagaram, ‘apex-town-of-Konadu’).
The Kodumbalur tract was mostly under
Irukkuvel Chiefs from the middle of the 6th century AD to the middle of
the 9th century AD. During the same period the Muttaraiyars had been ruling the
adjoining areas falling in Pudukkottai, Tiruchirappalli and Thanjavur tracts. Both these
ruling chiefs constantly changed their allegiance with one or the other of the
greater powers, the Pallavas and the Pandyas. The monuments and inscriptions of
this period (6th-9th centuries AD) relate to the Muttaraiyars, the Irukkuvels,
the Pandyas and the Pallavas.
Kodumbalur is mentioned as the scene of a few wars
in the 8th century. In one of them, the Pandya King Maravarman Rajasimha
(740 – 765 AD) defeated the Pallava King Nandivarman Pallavamalla. The
Sendalai Records attribute a victory at Kodumbalur to Perumbidugu
Suvaran Maran (first half of 8th century), a Muttaraiyar chief and who is
mentioned as having defeated the Pandyas and the Cheras. It is not known
whether these were two different battles or only two different but
contradictory versions of the same war.
After the famous battle of Thiruppurambiyam (880 AD),
wherein the Chozhas inflicted a crushing defeat on the Pallavas and the
Pandyas, the territories of the Muttaraiyar-s and the Irukkuvel-s came under
the Chozhas.
The inscriptions in these areas often indicate
matrimonial relations among the various kings – the Pandyas, the Muttaraiyars,
the Irukkuvels, the Pallavas and the Chozhas – in addition to political
relations.
For a long spell between 9th and 14th centuries, Kodumbalur
was under the Chozhas and the later Pandyas. The town must have been finally
destroyed during the Muslim invasions in 14th century.
During the Chozha times Kodumbalur was a
flourishing town and had at least two nagarams (assembles of merchants). It had
a manigramam (corporation of merchants or trade guild). These institutions were
either associated or affiliated to the great guild or corporation known as the
Ainurruvar, ‘assembly of five hundred’).
Irukkuvel Dynasty of Kodumbalur
Kodumbalur was the seat of a flourishing state,
ruled by a dynasty of Velirs called Irukkuvels, who were connected by blood
with the Chozhas, but politically were subordinate to them. They have played a
very important part in the moulding of South Indian history and politics.
The Velirs claimed to be Yadavas from Dvarasamudram in
Karnataka, and one of the chiefs assumed the title of Yaduvamsa. Idangazhi Nayanar,
a revered Saint is one of the 63 Saiva saints and mentioned in the
Thiruththandakam by Sundaramoorthy Nayanar (6th - 7th centuries), was
a king of this dynasty. The Chozha king, Vijayalaya (about 830 - 850
AD), the founder of the Imperial Chozha line, and his son Adithya, were
connected with this dynasty.
The Sanskrit inscription (PSI 14) in Grantha characters
in the Muvarkoyil gives the genealogy of the Irukkuvels from a king whose name
is, unfortunately, illegible, to Bhuthivikramakesari (last quarter of 9th
century), perhaps the greatest of them all.
The Irukkuvels would appear to have surfaced as a power
at a time that is coeval with Pandya King Maravarman Rajasimha-I (730 -
765 AD) and to have continued up to the rise of the Chozha of the
Vijayalaya line (middle of 9th century AD). They continued their
independent status thus far. Later, they appear to get closely affiliated in a
subservient capacity to the Imperial Chozha-s.
The arrangement continued through the reigns of Bhuthi Vikramakesari's
sons Parantaka and Adithya and ending with Siriya velar, a son of
Parantaka serving Sundara Chozha (957 - 973 AD) as general in the army.
The Irukkuvels, as the staunch allies and vassals of the Chozhas, helped them
in all their battles. We do not hear much of the Irukkuvel-s after the reign of
Rajendra Chozha-I (1012-1044 AD).
Once a flourishing town under the Chozhas and the
Pandyas, it was a city of temples like Kanchi and Kumbakonam. According to
tradition, this place once contained 108 Siva temples. It is supported by the
discovery of a large number of lingams, Nandis and other sculptures in the
area. But nothing remains now of the past glory of Kodumbalur except the
beautiful Muvar-koil and Muchukundesvara
koil . These temples hold an honoured place in the
evolution of both south Indian temple architecture and sculpture.
There are remnants of an Aivar koil which was
perhaps the only one of its kind in Tamilnadu or even South India. There is
also a large stone
nandi in the village near
to the road.
Monuments
in Kodumbalur:
Connectivity
Kodumbalur is located on Pudukkottai – Kudumiyamalai - Manapparai
main road about 35 kilometers from Pudukkottai. And it lies 5 kilometers away
from Tiruchi – Madurai highway. Bus facility is available from Viralimalai and
Manapparai.
Viralimalai and Manapparai are two major
towns near Kodumbalur. It is about 5 km from NH 45B, Tiruchirappalli - Tovarankurichchi,
little after you pass Viralimalai.
Important Info
Presently, the first three monuments, that is the Muvarkoyil,
the Muchukundesvara koil and the remnants of the Aivar koil, are protected
monuments and under Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Also they are no more
under worship.
There is an ASI counter at the Muvarkoyil and a
staff will be there on duty. The monuments will be open daily from 9 AM to 5
PM. There are no holidays. There is an entry fee of Rs. 5 for Indian citizens
and Rs. 100 (US$ 2) for foreigners for the Muvarkoyil.
Entry to all other monuments is free.