pudukkottai district is the melting ground of two strongly opposing artistic traditions from the northern tamilagam intiated by the Pallavas and subsequently adopted by the Cholas and from the southern tamilagam. adding pepper and salt to this is the idependent traditions of the muttraiyars and irrukkuvels. Even the Malaprabha valley with Aihole, Badami, P"kal and Mahakuta did not have this charm. Further the strong presence of Brahmanical and Jaina faiths provided a fine dimesions. As such we find a varied remains like the Brahmi inscriptions, rich paitings, varied cave-temples (of muttaraiyars, please discount the pallava influence, and many small temples illustrative of early phahses of strcutural temples in this region. Perhaps the gem of all is the rich sculptural wealth of Kodumbalur. Even some of the astaparivara images preserved in interior temples are of early chola period are of fine workmanship.
perhaps many may not know a temple called Madathukoil near Nangupatti. It is a beautiful late Pandyan temple built as a replacement of possibly an early chola temple. the prakara contains many inscriptions of Parantaka and the temple still has the astaparivara images of that period. in front of the complex is a sacred groove to Karuppusami and few hero-stones of Chola period(?).
The Pudukkottai State Manual edited by K.R.venkatarama aiyyar and assisted by k.r.srinivasan (aiyyar at that time) is a treasure house of accurate information about all the villages of the district. The Pudukottai State Inscription is another accurately editied volume. Perhaps the experience KRS gained here as teh curator of the museum and the associated field work helped him in serving the asi in great length. we must remember these persons when we talk about pudukkottai.
fortunatly, by an clause in the constitution, about 85 monumnets and sites came under asi. the work done in past two decades there provided a great lease of life to many temples.
the massive burials sites are a different chapter altogether.