We are currently going to see the results of the study of the Somanatha Swamy temple in Keezapahayarai which was built during the reign of the Cholas. This Keezapajayarai temple was built almost 1500 years ago. It was also the capital of the Cholas for over 400 years. Then the capital was shifted to Thanjavur during the reign of Sundara Chola.Historians say that later after the capital was shifted to Thanjavur, it was used as a resting place for the kings and generals after their old age, and for holding state ceremonies to crown new princes, and later Kundavai Pratiyar, the younger sister of Rajaraja Chola, lived here.
My brother and I woke up one early in the morning and travel a long distance in our case in search of this Keezapajaarai temple. While we were both talking about the Cholas, something suddenly appeared in my eye and disappeared. I immediately asked my brother if he saw anything here. He said he did not see anything like that. But in my subconscious there seemed to be something here. My mind was a bit confused. Immediately I asked my brother to turn the vehicle out. He also turned back the vehicle without saying anything.When we went a little further, we saw a beautiful Rajagopuram built with great artistic grace. The Rajagopuram was a little further back from the road. We both went near it and looked. It was only then that we came to know that it was the Keepaphayarai temple.
The base of this tower was very beautifully built with black stones. But the buildings above that foundation were built of bricks and bound with lime plaster. Looking at its foundation, this Rajagopuram may have been very grand in the past to the extent of touching the sky. Then with the passage of time it slowly dissolves into the air and loses its luster leaving only its base. At present, plants and vines have sprouted on top of this tower and formed a small grove.
After admiring the external beauty of this Rajagopuram, my brother and I entered inside. Inside this tower were four large stone pillars on both sides. In it, each of the dance performances of the dancers and their various positions were beautifully carved. On the outer wall of this gopuram too, the statues of men driving yalis were very finely made.
Then we went inside the temple premises. It was mentioned as Somanatha Swamy Temple. On both sides of the temple, the idols of Dwarpalakas were carved very wonderfully. It was very simple but very beautiful. The temple has been renovated recently so you can see a mix of old and new works in this temple. The temple has been consecrated by the government. It would have been great if the government which renovated and renovated the infrastructure in this temple also renovated the Raja Gopuram outside. I think there may have been a lack of money to rebuild it.
They said that photography is not allowed inside this temple. But we took pictures of it as soon as the person left. There are countless sculptures in this temple. Among them was a sculpture of Narasimha aggressively ripping open the belly of a asuran with great art. On one side of the temple, modern carvings of yali sculptures, and chakras etc. were kept separately near the temple. Each of the sculptures in this temple tells us epic stories.
This temple may have been built sometime before the construction of Tarasuram temple. Because here also you can see the arrangement of the most delicate sculptures in Tarasuram. But the construction of the temple is built following the basic philosophy of construction of the early Cholas. For example, as seen in Darasuram, the temple steps are decorated with sculptures of horses and elephants pulling chariots on both sides. Both these temples probably belong to almost the same period.
The Tanjore Peruvudayar Temple was the first and largest temple built by the Cholas. This temple may have been built after that. Later it may have been abandoned over time. It must be said that this is a very wonderful temple.
The journey in search of these Cholas was very interesting. It is better not to sleep in the vehicle during such a historical trip. Because we may simply pass some historical places that we don’t know about in a moment. Then there may be a delay in coming back to that place. It may even take years? So not sleeping while traveling will save our time and watch out for the historical sites on the way
I felt very happy to see this Keezapajarai temple. It was a good experience for me. After researching about this temple we both headed towards Gangai Konda cholapuram.The journey continues….