Historical
Monuments » Jalkanteshwarar Temple
Jalakanteswarar or
"Siva residing in the water" temple
entrance is topped with a fine gopuram with massive wooden gates and studded
with bosses of iron like lotus flowers. The best sculpture is found on the left
side of the entrance, a porch which contains monolithic pillars of grandeur
and delicacy of execution. The temple is adorned with some remarkable sculptures.
Walls have been built between its piers and white wash and fittings have reduced
it to the condition which we thought appropriate to the noblest works of India.
The great cornice has double flexures and its little trellis work of supports
is a very elegant form. The outer facing is said to be about only an inch in
thickness and its network of supports is more elaborate and delicate. The bracket
shafts are attached to the pier by a very elegant open work. .
The bracket shafts are mere monuments in a neglected condition. There are impressive
sculptures in the temple particularly outside the swami sannathi and inside
the main mandapam. The temple could be entered from the northern side and the
sanctum sanctorum is a small low building and at the entrance there are dwarakapalas
in blue granite. At the main entrance there are solid pillars, highly sculptured
and decorated, supports the upper works. The shrine is enclosed within an inner
line of walls, having a low gopuram at the entrance. The carvings are crude
compared with the outer enclosure. Sculpture work on the ceilings and pillars
are rich in its characteristics. In the north west corner of the outer prakara
there is a well which has a stone door way opening on a point which is usually
below water level. The under ground mandapa or Neerazhi Mandapa is said to lead
to a subterranean passage leading to the River Palar
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