திருமூலநாதசுவாமி திருக்கோயில், பாகூர், புதுச்சேரி
This is an interesting Sivan temple in Pondicherry which is an odd combination of architectural styles from different eras which are beautifully intertwined. The original temple is believed to have been built by the Pallavas in the 7th century. The copper plates of Pallava king Nirupathungavarman mention this temple in the 9th century. In the 10th century Paranthaka Cholan I, completely revamped it. The Nayakkans added columns and a small mandapam. And the French renovated it in the 19th and 20th centuries. So the base pedestal or upapitha of the sanctum with carvings of dancing girls etc. is clearly Pallava. The walls with numerous inscriptions, the koshta idols, the Boothagana frieze under the cornice, the yali frieze and the koodus wth human faces are all Cholan. The Vimanam is modern and built by the French. One of the statuettes is actually of a Frenchman. Can you spot him? The front part of the temple was rebuilt by the French and is clearly European. This is an ASI property.
It is located in the southern part of Pondicherry about 20 kms or 45 minutes from downtown Pondicherry. We visited in May 2023. We stayed in Pondicherry.
Credits: Google Maps
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