Moovar Koil

Moovar Koil, 'the three temples', is a complex at Kodumbalur, 36 kilometres from Pudukkottai. An inscription records that the Irukkuvel chieftain Boothi Vikramakesari, a Chola feudatory, built three shrines here, one in his own name and two for his wives, Nangai Varaguna Perumanar and Karrali. Kodumbalur was ruled by the Irukkuvel chiefs and saw a hard-fought battle between the Pallavas and Pandyas.

Only the central and southern shrines stand more or less complete; of the northern one just a base moulded like a full lotus survives. Each faces west and has richly detailed walls, with a small Nandi shrine in front of the hall. Round pilasters with circular shafts on the towers point to their age, a feature found in only a few other temples. The historian Harle counts Moovar Koil among the four early surviving temples of the Chola Empire, all modest in size and following Pallava architecture.