I had been to place around Kumbakoanam on a religious visit last week. Kaveri, with lots of water is making her kingdom, more green and captivating.
I was at Poompuhar trying to locate Champadevi temple. The ancient kingdom of Perumthirumavalan had this temple and there was Champapathi Vanam too. I touched base with Sps and Kudavoil Balu.
As suggested, I reached the temple, south to place where Kaveri joins the ocean. Only to find the last walls of the temple, and the rest ruined by Tsunami. The place has been spoiled by people nearby to the extent unimaginable. You cannot see, walk and breath.
The once mighty capital of Cholas is now, useless for anything. Even for tourism.
I visited Dharasuram temple in afternoon. None was in the temple. i was moved looking at the artistical beauty of the sculptures.
I am a stauch devotee of Godess Kotravai (Durgai). I could not help looking at her statue, and think that she had seen, the great empires begin and end. She has seen Pandyas, Cheras and Cholas rule entire Bharatavarsha, and she still sees them no where.
could you tell us more of the champa devi temple( not its remnants but the original) very close to the confluence ( not too close but on the main road) is a temple called pallavaneshwaram. should check its history.
was pumpuhar north of the confluence or south of it or on eihter side with the river bisecting it? right now all the monuments seem to be only on the north bank