CHENNAI: A Shiva temple dating to the Later Chola period and believed to be more than 900 years old has been discovered at Pekkili village near Shoolagiri in Krishnagiri district, offering fresh archaeological evidence of the region's historical importance during the Chola era.
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The temple has been dated to the reign of Kulothunga Chola I (1070–1122 CE), placing its construction in the 11th century CE. The discovery was made by M Jeyalakshmi, a teacher at the Government High School in Kamandoddi and an independent archaeology researcher.
"The contribution of the Cholas to Tamil history is immeasurable. Their architectural traditions continue to reflect the cultural legacy of Tamil Nadu even today," she told DT Next. Former Krishnagiri Museum curator S Govindaraj, present curator Sivakumar and historian T Tamilselvan assisted the research.
Sources indicate that during the Chola period, Krishnagiri was part of administrative divisions known as "Nigarili Chola Mandalam" and "Vidu Kathazhagiya Nallur," while the present-day Hosur region functioned as an important centre referred to as "Murasu Nadu."
The temple is at the base of a small hillock, in keeping with the meaning of the village name Pekkili, derived from the Tamil term "Adik Karadu," meaning rocky base. Built entirely of stone, the structure consists of a sanctum and an Artha Mandapam.
It exhibits characteristic Later Chola architectural elements, including a well-defined adhishtanam, pada, prastharam, kanda portions and five koshtas. The presence of the podhigai (a critical architectural marker) element has been crucial in assigning the temple to the Kulothunga Chola I period.
For nearly 200 years, the temple remained concealed beneath a large banyan tree. With the assistance of villagers, the site was recently cleared, allowing entry for the first time. The sanctum base has been disturbed in the past; the original Shiva Lingam is missing, and the Nandi sculpture has been found broken.
A stone-built Neerazhi Mandapam nearby is in a dilapidated condition.
Although no inscriptions have yet been identified, a trident symbol carved alongside representations of the Sun and Moon on a nearby rock suggests that land grants were once made to the temple.
Locally known as "Pandava Kudi," the structure had remained unexplored until now.
The village panchayat president, Srikanth, along with residents, has appealed to the Tamil Nadu State Archaeological Department and the Archaeological Survey of India to restore the temple and conserve the site.