Madathu Koil (Pudukottai - Tamil Nadu)

The original Madatthu Koil was built during the Chola Period, however it later got very dilapidated and it was re-built by the Nayaks in the 16th - 18th C.
The beauty of the Nayak sculptural art was absolutely mind blowing!!! The temple is called the Thiruperuman Andar Koil aka Madathu Koil.

This fabulous arch atop the entrance, has a Yaali at the top with 2 Magara Meen (Croc Fish) on either sides.
A row of swan and a row of Yaali coming out of its their mouths, end with another Croc Fish.

This is another side shrine with a Yaali atop. A row of sea horses and a row of swans
begin from its mouth and end at a Magara Meen (Croc Fish) on either sides.

This is another side shrine with a Yaali atop. From the Yaali comes out a Bootha Gana.
From this little one begins a row of musical celestial beings and 2 rows of Yaalis.
which end at a Magara Meen (Croc Fish) on either sides.

This is another side shrine with a Yaali atop. A row of celestial beings with
musical instruments end at a Magara Meen (Croc Fish) on either sides.

This is another side shrine with a Yaali atop. A row of multiple animals & birds incl. Yaali,
Parrot, Horse, Elephant, Humans etc. end at a Magara Meen (Croc Fish) on either sides.

This is another side shrine with a Yaali atop. From the Yaali comes out a Lord Karthikeya.
From there 3 rows each of Parrot, Musical celestials, Lions begin,
which end at a Magara Meen (Croc Fish) on either sides.

This is another side shrine with a Yaali atop. From the Yaali comes out an elephant which is head-on.
From there a row of elephants in profile, a row of swans, a row of snakes begin,
which end at a Magara Meen (Croc Fish) on either sides.

This scale like styling in Adhirstanam is a unique feature.

Atop the side shrines, is this fabulous styling.
There itself is a miniature complete temple relief with Adhirstanam, Pillars, Shikara & Stupa.

Same like above, but atop another side shrine.

The detailing of the pillar tops...

All the pillars begun with a lotus design.
But the best part was that each lotus was different with their thickness just as much as the real lotus itself!

Heavily detailed Kumba Panjaram.

Top portion of a Kumba Panjaram with a filigree work on it...

To Reach Pudukkottai:
From Chennai: 400 km via Villupuram, Trichy
Trains to Rameshwaram go via Pudukottai.
Trains / Buses can be taken to Trichy and regular buses are available from Trichy.
From Trichy: 50 km. Regular buses are available.
From Madurai: 115 km via Tirupatthur
From Coimbatore: 300 km via Dharapuram, Dindigul

From Pudukottai, 28km on the Kulithalai - Manapparai Road till Iluppur. A right cut there and in 11km the road divides as a 'Y' road, into 2 (left & right). Take right there and in 1 km you will definitely spot this huge temple complex to your left.

P.S: Click here for my another outfit post from Pudukottai trip...

Dedicated to Prof. Swaminathan, Prof. Muthazhagan, Prof. Jambunathan, and the whole group...