Sri Aivar Koil Temple, Pudukottai

Address

Sri Aivar Koil Temple, Agarapatti, Kodumbalur Village , Pudukottai District, Tamil Nadu 621316

Diety

Shiva

Introduction

Aivar Koil is dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in Kodumbalur Village in Illupur Taluk in Pudukottai District of Tamil Nadu, India. This Temple is situated to the south of Moovar Koil.

Puranic Significance

There are two inscriptions discovered in this temple dating back to the reign of Rajaraja Chola I. Both these inscriptions talk about the gifts made for keeping perpetual lamps burning. This temple follows the Panchayatana style of architecture. Panchayatana is an architectural style where the main shrine is built on a common plinth with four smaller subsidiary shrines at the four corners and making it a total of five shrines. Perhaps, this temple is the only one of its kind in Tamilnadu or even in South India. This temple is facing towards west. Nandi can be seen facing the Sanctum on the western side. The Sanctum Sanctorum consisted of Sanctum, Ardha Mandapam and Maha Mandapam. The Sanctum contains an inner sanctum enclosed by a narrow circular prakaram, against the square outer walls of which are four attendant shrines. All the five shrines have a common base or plinth, and now contain only the broken pedestals of lingams. Carvings of Bhooda Ganas blowing the conch can be seen on the railings of the steps. All the shrines housed Shiva Lingas only. Friezes of dwarfs & elephant, bulbous tops of polygonal pillars, corbels and corner pieces of the cornice, an idol of Durga with four arms, four armed Vishnu, dvarapalas and architectural fragments can be seen in the temple complex. There is an ancient circular stone well to the south of the main temple.