Sri Kaliyapatti Shiva Temple, Pudukottai

Address

Sri Kaliyapatti Shiva Temple, Kaliyapatti, Kilaiyur post, Pudukottai district, TamilNadu- 622501

Diety

Kaliyapatti Shiva

Introduction

Kaliyapatti (post office Kilaiyur) is a small village located near Kunnandarkoil in the Pudukkottai district of Tamilnadu. A Shiva temple, built near a tank, provides a link between the waning Pallava dynasty and the emerging Chola empire. This temple is datable in last quarter of 9th century CE however, in absence of a foundation inscription, exact construction year cannot be determined. This east facing temple is one among the best specimens of 9th century CE temples in Tamilnadu. It is wholly built in granite and is composed of a garbhagrha and ardha-mandapa, the latter has only survived in its base moldings. The adhishthana (platform), is built over an upana, and is composed of five regular mouldings; jagati, tripatta-kumuda, kantha sandwiched between two kampa courses, a pattika and a prati. Its outer walls have four pilasters devoid of any niches. The kapota (cornice) above the walls is decorated with kudu-arches, two on each side. At the four cardinal points of the griva are provided niches once housing Vishnu in the west, Dakshinamurti in the south, Brahma in the north and Indra on the east. Three images, except that of Indra, were found and repaired to their original places in 1938 during restoration of this temple. However, the images are now missing, except one of Dakshinamurti placed over the ground.