Next let’s go to the second page in the gallery. While photographing the beautiful views around the temple, an ancient well came into view. On one side of the well there was an entrance gate for going down into the well and two very old stone pillars were planted opposite it. Below it was a stone like Ammi. I think that these pillars were used for pouring water.
Although the temple has many sculptures, there is a lion’s face on one side wall and a woman’s face below it. This too was ancient. As I said earlier, this temple is a mixture of old and new. Statues of Navagrahas have been erected in the temple premises to be worshiped around the virgin corner. After that, a platform is placed next to the round wall and many idols of gods like Saneeswarar , Vinayagar , Umamakeswarar , Rishaparupar , Nagar and Bhairava are placed in a row. All the idols of that time are lined up here without knowing where to put them.They may have been displaced earlier.
Here and there on the walls there are dancing maiden statues, half intact and half in ruins. As seen in Kodumbalur’s three temples, in this temple also turtle face sculptures can be seen at the corners where the gopuram starts. I don’t know why they put this turtle face for Vastu. The present temple and the Kodumbalur temple are somewhat similar in structure. This temple is maintained and worshiped by publice and i belief the village or certain caste have ownership over it. The sign of daily worship is visible.
Next they said there is an ancient temple near it. We both went to the site of the temple with the help of the website. But when we went there, we didn’t think there was such a temple. My brother and I wandered on that road several times in search of that temple.
Then a boy who was playing there saw us wandering for a long time and asked what are you looking for sir. We said we were looking for a temple. Immediately the boy asked if it was a Cholas temple. We said yes, it is behind the tea shop. Immediately behind the tea shop, there was a ruined temple.
It was a Shiva temple. The name of that temple is Maravaneeswarar Mahadeva. The roof of the temple was overgrown with grass and was badly damaged and unusable. The temple was closed. The Shiva lingam in the sanctum is not clearly visible. In front of the temple on both sides idols of Dwarapalakas were placed loosely. One of them was in good condition and the other was in disrepair. Opposite the temple were two Nandi idols, one after the other, half buried in the soil. There is a police station on one side of the temple and houses on the other side. People around the temple do not know the beauty or antiquity of the temple and use it as a place to dry clothes.
There are three idols of Goddess in that temple. I don’t know what idols they are. There is a beautiful sculpture on the south outer wall of the temple. The sculpture may be an idol of Lord Surya or Lord Agni. Its face was clear but its right arm was broken.
This temple is very dilapidated and is in danger of collapsing anytime. The sign of daily worship of this Surya Lord idol by the people of the village is well seen.
About the third page we saw dancing maiden idols similar to those seen in the Kodumbalur temple towers in this Maravaneeswarar temple. Each of their abhinayas are treasures to know. It would be good if the archeology department takes note of this temple and refurbishes it. I doubt if this temple will be there next time I visit. Apart from that, vines are sprouting and nature is devouring it. See you on the third page.