Sunday, November 22, 2015

Gangaikonda Cholapuram – Minor Shrines

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.