The Colas c36.6

c36.6

It has a circular *garbhagṛha* in a square. Third floor of *vimāna* is also circular. Cupola with *kūḍu* designs on all four sides. Walls have simple mouldings and pilasters. Heavy cornice runs round the entire structure. Linked *kōṣṭhas* and *śālas* form the parapet above cornice. Two-handed *dvārapālakas* of slender and beautiful form in the niches on either side of entrance. The ruined *prākāra* had perhaps a *gōpura* over the entrance at north-eastern side. Six single-storeyed shrines (*ekatalaprāsāda*) and traces of another, are found inside the *prākāra*. Each of these has a square sanctum with bulbous *śikhara* and rectangular *maṇḍapa* in front. They were probably dedicated to Sūrya, Saptamātṛkas, Candra, Subrahmaṇya, Jyēṣṭhā, and Caṇḍikēśvara as in the case of the temple at Tirukkaṭṭaḷai where, however, an additional contemporary shrine and a later Amman shrine are also found.