Hi Friends, There is a new post on Kunnandarkoil cave temple. This live temple is under worship and continued patronage since the Pallava times. Many of the Pudukkottai temples are fortunate that they continuously received patronage from the people and kings even in the present time.
This temple has very nice portrait sculptures of dvarpala and a chariot-shaped mandapa in its outer complex to look out for.
An exploit, reported with such interesting details on art, and history of the period.
I note your observation that the Dwara palakas , at Pillaiyarpatti. It is socialogically very important.You seem to feel that it beongs Pandya Kings of pre pallava period.. Mention has been made of a Muththaraiyar in an Inscription. Your view about Muththaraaiyar Dynasty who ruled Taanjore until the lost the war with Cholas in 950 A.D
There to issues about Canesha.' 1. Did Ganapathy worship enter Tamilnadu. This is a traditionsl legend held by many Tamil Scholars. Kalki, in his novel 'Sivakaamiyin Sabatham' ( written as aserial in 1944- 46)has given credibility to this hypothesis
It is quite possible that Ganesha worship has come through the Coimbatore and Arcot district during the period ofGangas of Karnataka (350- 950 ), when much of this rgion repectively known as 'Kongunadu and 'Thodai Mandalam'was under them, Ganapathy worship could have spread as nesha was concieved as Son of Parvathi and Parameshvra in the Purana.
2.Ganesha worship part of Tamil culture. Not so. It is part ofancient Maharashtrian- hill tribe culture. This is what was later accomodated in Puranic periodas Ganapathya