Kadambarkoil Kadambar Malai

Kadambarkoil Kadambar, Malai

Saivite Temples, Pudhukottai District

God

Kadambanathar, facing west

Goddess

Mangalanayaki, facing west

Other Deities

Nagareeswarar

Kadambarkoil Kadambar Malai is an ancient west facing temple. A small entrance is on the west side and leads into the Mahamandapam, Ardha Mandapam and into the sanctum sanctorum. The goddess shrine is outside. There is a beautiful pond right outside the entrance with steps leading down. Another temple for Lord Shiva as Nagareeswara is outside on the south west side. This temple and deity faces east. There are a lot of inscriptions on the slopes of the adjoining hill which is called Kadambar Malai. The area has 9 hills around namely Melamalai, Kottaimalai, Kadambarmalai, Paraiyanmalai, Uvaccanmalai, Aluruttimalai, Bommamalai, Manmalai and Ponmalai.

Holy Water (Theertham) – Pond outside the temple

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – No information

History

Kadambarkoil Kadambar Malai was built by Raja Raja Chola in 11th Century CE. The Goddess temple and Nagareeswarar Temple were built by Maravarman Sundara Pandyan in 13th Century CE. Kadambarkoil Kadambar Malai has huge inscriptions of 27 lines in the south-facing hill side. This area is a slope and its is easy to walk up. The inscriptions are not protected and people actually walk on top of it without noticing, eroding the inscriptions further. This is the only inscription that celebrates the Vishwakarma community, who were the temple builders of that era. The inscription says that Rajendra Chola appreciated a person named Akalanga Acharya and his father for their services towards the temple and gifted them tax-free land.

Legend

No information

Directions

Kadambarkoil Kadambar Malai is about 15 kilometers north of Pudukottai on the road leading to Thiruchirapalli. This place is called Narthamalai and is before Keeranur. Important Jain Beds and other historic temples are in this area. All are nearby and you can combine them in a single trip – Vijalaya Choleeswaram, Kadambar Koil, Aaluruttimalai Jain beds, Rock Art and a few more.

Stay and Food

None locally. Closest would be Thiruchirapalli and Pudukottai.