Thakkolam Temple: A Forgotten Tamil Heritage in Urgent Need of Restoration

The Jalanatheswarar Temple at Thakkolam in Tamil Nadu stands as an important historical and cultural site having started its existence in the 6th century Pallava period. The site exists in a deteriorated condition because its northern wall has fully collapsed and the temple tank remains abandoned. Multiple dynastic inscriptions starting from the Pallava and Chola ages emphasize the temple's importance so its urgent restoration becomes critical. The people of the world now focus on Thakkolam after the CISF Recruits Training Centre received its new name to honor Rajaditya Chola and his deeds during the Battle of Thakkolam in 949 CE. The temple contains abundant historical records which provide important evidence for understanding the history of the Chola dynasty.

Key Points

Historical Significance

• The Pallavas built the temple in the 6th century AD yet it contains historical writings from three distinct dynasties: the Pallavas as well as the Cholas and the Chalukyas.

• The historical site received its initial name Thiruvural according to lyrical hymns dedicated to Saivite minstrels.

• Chronological events of the Chola dynasty are revealed through royal inscriptions from both Aditya I and Rajakesari and other Chola monarchs.

• The Chalukya ruler Vimaladitya renamed the town to Thakkolamana Thiruvuralpuram after he married Kundavai daughter of Rajaraja Chola.

Architectural and Epigraphical Importance

• 51 inscriptions inside the temple outline donations of land combined with cattle and precious metal.

• Editions written in the Chola period mention the deity by the name Thiruvuralkattrali Mahadeva.

• The historian K.A. Nilakanta Sastri used information from Thakkolam inscriptions to identify the specific time when Aditya I and other Chola rulers ruled.

Current State and Restoration Needs

• A collapse has affected the northern outer wall of the temple while the temple tank exists in a state of abandonment.

• The temple faces structural danger because vegetation has taken over the tank area and accumulated debris surrounds it.

• The temple needed its last kumbabishekam ceremony which is a consecration ritual over 15 years back.

• The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department needs to grant approval for restoration.

Dravidian Style and Evolution

• The Pallavas created the architectural movement which later became known as Dravidian style throughout South Indian territories.

• The Pallava architects developed their temple design through several phases starting with rocky temples and extending to monolithic temple columns then finishing with permanent temple structures.

Notable Temples and Structures under Pallavas

1. Shore Temple (Mahabalipuram)

   • Built by Narasimhavarman II.

   • Through Western explorers this complex received its name of Seven Pagodas.

   • Features:

     • The temple exists as a construction from granite blocks instead of rock-cut architecture.

     • Three shrines comprise Shiva shrines and one Vishnu shrine with its reclining form.

     • Lion Monolith consists of a Durga image emerging from a partly finished lion sculpture at its rear.

     • UNESCO World Heritage Site.

2. Temple (Kanchipuram)

• The temple received its construction at the hands of Narasimhavarman II following the completion of Shore Temple.

• Features:

• Largest sandstone temple.

• Rectangular courtyard with peristyle complex.

• Main shrine: Houses a 16-sided Shivalinga (black granite).

• 58 devakulikas (mini shrines) around the temple.

• The temple contains different royal titles which refer to Narasimhavarman II.

3. Seven Rathas (Mahabalipuram)

• Built under Narasimhavarman I.

• Stone temples emerged as the next architectural development following the traditional rock-cut cave architecture.

• Features:

• Different architectural traditions define the seven individual parts of the temple.

• The craftsmen created stone versions of wooden elements with great attention to detail.

4. Vaikunthaperumal Temple

• Built by Nandivarman II (736-796 CE).

• Dedicated to Vishnu.

• Features:

  • The temple contains three levels where Vishnu appears in three different positions.

  • The carving shows King Nandivarman II taking the throne as monarch.

  • Sculptures of a Chinese pilgrim.

5. Descent of the Ganges (Mahabalipuram)

• Also called ‘Arjuna’s Penance’.

• This relief sculpture at Mahabalipuram represents Ganga during her descent to the terrestrial world.

• The sculpture portrays Shiva as he regulates the River while it becomes furious.

• Kailashnath Temple in Kanchipuram contains a duplicate design of the same.

Notable Chola Temples

1. Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram

• The sanctuary worships Nataraja the dancing aspect of Lord Shiva while he performs Ananda Tandava.

• Parantaka I presented his devotion by presenting a golden vimana roof through his patronage.

• The temple has a special characteristic as it simultaneously worships a Vaishnavite deity named Lord Govindaraja.

2. Nageswaraswamy Temple, Kumbakonam

• Dedicated to: Lord Shiva.

• The sanctum inside remains lit by sunlight only during the Tamil month of Chithirai (April-May).

• Patronage: Built by Aditya Chola in the 9th century.

3. Brihadeshwara Temple (Periya Kovil), Tanjore

• Also Known As: Rajarajesvara Temple.

• The completion of the temple by Raja Raja Chola I occurred in 1010 AD.

• The temple remains the biggest in India while showcasing the best examples of Dravidian architectural art.

• Material: Entirely made of granite.

• Significance: Part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, "Great Living Chola Temples."

• Puranic and epic subjects appear through fresco artwork and small sculptural works.

4. Valisvara Temple, Tirunelveli

• Dedicated to: Lord Shiva.

• Patronage: Built by Raja Raja Chola I in the early 10th century AD.

5. Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple

• Patronage: Built by Rajendra Chola I after his victorious expedition to the Ganges.

• Dedicated to: Lord Shiva.

• Features:

• The temple designers took the Brihadeshwara Temple as their foundation but added improvements to it.

• Carvings inside the temple depict Nataraja together with sculptures of Dakshinamurthy, Lingodbhava, Vishnu, Brahma and Mahishasuramardini.

• Part of the UNESCO "Great Living Chola Temples" World Heritage Site.

6. Kampahareswarar Temple, Thanjavur

• The temple honors Lord Shiva under the name of Kampahareswarar.

• Patronage: Built by Kulothunga Chola II.

• Architectural Style: Traditional Dravidian.

7. Airavatesvara Temple, Darasuram

• Dedicated to: Lord Shiva.

• Patronage: Built by Rajaraja Chola II in the 12th century CE.

• Features:

• A UNESCO World Heritage Site.

• Displays elements of Vaishnavism, Shaktism, and Shaivism.

• Miniature sculptures depict Periyapuranam legends.

8. Chudamani Vihara, Nagapattinam

• Type: Buddhist monastery.

• Patronage: Built by Sri Vijayan King Sri Mara Vijayattunga Varman with the support of Rajaraja Chola I.

• The Chola rulers displayed religious tolerance through their patronage by establishing this temple.

Conclusion

Tambrahm community considers the Thakkolam Temple as both sacred worship space and critical cultural heritage of Tamil Nadu. Stones at the site present knowledge about the succession of events from the Chola dynasty. The religious structure requires urgent maintenance because its outer facade shows deterioration along with general lack of care in its tank. The historical preservation of this monument demands immediate approval from the HR&CE Department and greater public visibility to accomplish restoration work. The government must place conservation of this architectural and epigraphical treasure at the forefront because of its importance.