Topography
Historical background
Particularly interesting are the schematic renderings of many temples. The deities are shown in their own shrines along with the typical natural features of the site, enabling thus the viewer to identify them.
Date: mid-17th century
Description: Five Vijayanagara commanders receiving prasada (here a flower garland) from a pujari at the Narumpunatha temple.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Narumpunatha Temple;Tiruppudaimarudur
Positioning: Gopura, second tier, transept, north east wall, third row
Date: mid-17th century
Description: The story of the sale of the rubies (TP 17). The queen sits with her child on her lap assisted by two attendants; the king flanked by his betel-bearer (left) and his scribe (right) talks to a holy man. (TP 17)
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Narumpunatha Temple;Tiruppudaimarudur
Positioning: Gopura, third tier, north chamber, east wall
Date: mid-17th century
Description: The story of the sale of the rubies: Shiva, in the guise of a gem merchant displays his ware to prospective buyers. (TP 17)
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Narumpunatha Temple;Tiruppudaimarudur
Positioning: Gopura, third tier, north chamber, east wall
Date: mid-17th century
Description: On the left, Vikrama Pandya enthroned and a nobleman. Shiva, in the guise of a hunter, kills the magic black elephant sent by the Chola king – a Jain- to kill Vikrama Pandya. On the right, the king stands behind Shiva. (TP 22)
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Narumpunatha Temple;Tiruppudaimarudur
Positioning: Gopura, third tier, north chamber, east wall
Date: mid-17th century
Description: A net to catch a large fish is cast under the guidance of an experienced fisherman, i.e. Shiva in disguise. (TP 57)
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Narumpunatha Temple;Tiruppudaimarudur
Positioning: Gopura, third tier, north chamber, east wall
Date: mid-17th century
Description: Top row (from left to right); Puja scenes before a temple enshrining the Devi and the linga; sages floating above the shrines pay homage to the deities. A devotee carrying something on his head, perhaps a bamboo rod, walks towards the entrance gopura;
On the extreme right, a king speaks to two dignitaries. At the feet of the king is a scribe with a palm leaf in his hands. Second row: Adhikaranandi stands near Shiva and Parvati enthroned while a courtly couple pay homage to them; A tank is shown on the right. This may be the Surendra moksha tirtha near the Narumpunatha temple; A sage stands near a maruda tree from which emerges a linga. Another sage, seated on a hillock beneath a maruda tree, with the left knee held in place by a yogapatta, could be Karuvur Siddha; Yet another sage worships a linga emerging from a maruda tree. Third row: A shepherd, Idaikkadar, and his flock; Idaikkadar talks to Shiva at the presence of five noblement, two of them taking notes on a leaf; The king, flanked by an attendant, listens to the debate. On the extreme right Idaikkadar in a trance. (TP 56)
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Narumpunatha Temple;Tiruppudaimarudur
Positioning: Gopura, third tier, north chamber, west wall
Date: mid-17th century
Description: Top row: Tarumi (left) presents the poem written by Shiva on his behalf to the academicians, who find it perfect; Nakkirar, however finds is faulty; Tarumi worships Shiva; The god appears before the academicians and Nakkiran continues to assert that the poem is faulty; Shiva opens his third eye; Nakkiran, however persists in his statement; Unable to bear the scorching heat of Shiva’s gaze, he jumps in the Golden Lotus tank (TP 52); Second row: Adhikaranandi and Chandesha pay homage to Shiva and Parvati seated on Mount Kailasa; Worship at a Shiva temple; Two noblemen discussing; Third row:
Sages at worship; Idaikkadar at the side of the king, and another poet, Kapilar, involved in a discussion; The king waves the chauri near the Vaigai river, a sign that Shiva has manifested himself there. (TP 56)
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Narumpunatha Temple;Tiruppudaimarudur
Positioning: Gopura, third tier, north chamber, west wall
Date: mid-17th century
Description: Wooden statue of a wrestler; On the wall, scenes from the life of Sundarar. Top row: Sundarar seated on an elephant and Cheraman Perumal riding on his horse ascend to Kailasa; Second row: Sundarar arrives in Avinashi and is welcomed by some priests; Third row: Sundarar restores to life a child eaten by a crocodile by singing the praise of Shiva; Fourth row: The Pandya king gives a pearl necklace to Tarumi (TP 52).
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Narumpunatha Temple;Tiruppudaimarudur
Positioning: Gopura, third tier, transept, north east corner
Date: mid-17th century
Description: Tatatakai (Minakshi) her mother and an attendant.(TP 4) The inscription says that Tatatakai was born with three breasts.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Narumpunatha Temple;Tiruppudaimarudur
Positioning: Gopura, third tier, south chamber, east wall
Date: mid-17th century
Description: The abhisheka (coronation) of Tatatakai. (TP 4)
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Narumpunatha Temple;Tiruppudaimarudur
Positioning: Gopura, third tier, south chamber, east wall
Date: mid-17th century
Description: Tatatakai (Minakshi) fights against Shiva riding on Indra’s elephant, Airavata (TP 5). The inscription says: ‘Tatatakai born with three breasts engages in war against the Lord of Mount Kailasa’.
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Narumpunatha Temple;Tiruppudaimarudur
Positioning: Gopura, third tier, south chamber, east wall
Date: mid-17th century
Description: Indra’s elephant, Airavata, is freed of his sins and regains his white colour. (TP 2)
Location: Tamil Nadu Temple;Narumpunatha Temple;Tiruppudaimarudur
Positioning: Gopura, third tier, south chamber, east wall
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