The awesome roof!

 Avudaiyar Koil (Koil is a Tamil word for Temple) in Tamil Nadu, in southern part of India is an outstanding example of South Indian temple architecture. Believed to have been built between 6th and 9th century, this temple is dedicated to lord Shiva. Manickavasagar, a tamil poet is the person who built this temple. It has a collection of sculptures which are breathtaking and every part of the temple is unique in some way or the other.

The roof of this temple is something unique and cannot be seen anywhere else. The entire roof is made of granite and the way they are assembled is something one has to see to believe! Avudayar Koil is famous for the art of Kodungai carving, the work done under the stone that forms the sun shade or overhang of the roof. It usually sits on top of the beam stone and is a superb example of the craft of the 9th century artisans. The popular story is that any contract for constructing a temple that were made subsequent to the construction of this temple specifically excludes the roofing of this type as it was considered impossible to replicate this kind of roofing! In fact, a British officer who visited this temple years back did not believe that the roofing was made of granite. So to check that, he fired two shots with his pistol on the roof! The holes that were made of these bullets can be seen on the roof even today!

The granite roof is first carved in several pieces in the ground and subsequently hoisted above the temple and then assembled! One can see the assembly of the roof with screws, bolts and padlocks - all of which are made of granite! You need to observe the pictures posted here carefully to appreciate how this temple’s roofing is unique and outstanding! Such an awesome roofing is not seen anywhere in the world!

The roof also has sculptures of snake made of a single stone. Also you can see sculptures which have chains hanging and the entire structure along with the chains are made of single stone!

 

They have also sculptured the twenty eight birth starts on the roof. Baratha Natya mudhras (Baratha Natyam Dance poses) are also sculptured on the roof! I have not seen in any temple with such an elaborate work on the roof anywhere in India!

Besides the sculptures, we can also see marvelous paintings in the roof of this temple. In this post I will be posting pictures of only roofing of this temple.

The person who guided me through this temple is one Mr. Manickam (His mobile number – 91598-53680). This guy is awesome! He knows every inch of this temple and takes personal pride of this temple and its beauty!