Early Chola Temples
by S. R. Balasubrahmanyam | 1960 | 105,501 words
This volume of Chola Temples covers Parantaka I to Rajaraja I in the timeframe A.D. 907-985. The Cholas of Southern India left a remarkable stamp in the history of Indian architecture and sculpture. Besides that, the Chola dynasty was a successful ruling dynasty even conquering overseas regions....
Temples in Udaiyargudi (33rd year)
This is a suburb of Kattumannar Koyil (or gudi) 16 miles (25.75 km.) from Chidambaram. It was called Viranarayanapuram or Viranarayana Chaturvedimangalam. This is one of the brahmadeya villages created by Parantaka I and colonised by learned brahmans.
Both the Vishnu and the Siva temples were also built in his reign. The Vishnu temple called Viranarayana Vinnagaram named after the surname of Parantaka I was renovated by the Pandya King Jatavarman Sundara Pandya I without preserving its ancient features.
Fortunately the Siva temple of Anantisvaram at Udaiyargudi preserves at least the main character of the ancient Parantaka foundation. The earliest inscription on the walls of this temple is that of the 33rd year of Parantaka I. So this temple should have been built some time before a.d.940.