Kiran and I traveled to Kunnandarkoil. Kiran had already read the documentation and was on his way to verify his readings on-site. As a web developer, I recklessly accompanied him. I went there without any expectations, as I had never traveled that route before.

When we entered into the temple complex, the Ratha Mandapam immediately grabbed our attention. It looked majestic despite its dilapidated condition.

We rushed to see the rock cut shrine first, as it was evening and we might not be able to see the cave the dark. The cave temple was similar to the cave of Thirukokarnam. We saw similar mandapam supported by pillars, whose sirsa/heads were decorated with simple, folds of carvings.

When we came out of the complex, we walked past boys playing cricket toward the Ratha Mandapam.

The chariot wheels of the Konark Sun Temple are famous, and I wrote about the Ratha Mandapam of Darasuram earlier. The one at Kunnandarkoil is relatively small. Yet, the wheels are elegantly carved, and the majestic facade is striking. It is attached to a mandapam with 101 pillars, but most of the mandapam is in a dilapidated condition, and it is not safe to walk inside. If it were well-maintained, the people of this place wouldn’t need a marriage hall.

Sometimes, artifacts from unexpected places are extraordinarily special and unforgettable.

For further reading –

• Documentation by Prof S Swaminathan and M V Kiran
• Kunnandarkoil – Temple of the Lord of the Hill by Saurabh Saxena
• புதுக்கோட்டை மாவட்ட வரலாறு – முனைவர் ஜெ ராஜா முகம்மது.

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