Konar Temple

Getting there

• By air

  The temple is 77 km from Chennai by air.

• By train

  The temple is behind Thirumalpur Railway Station, and Kanchipuram Railway Station is 19 km away.

• By road

  The temple is 39 km from Ranipet by road.

Why devotees come here

Konar Temple stands behind Thirumalpur Railway Station in Ranipet district, Tamil Nadu. It is built of green stone and marks the shift from later Pallava to early Chola art. Its embossed bhoota friezes show bhootas in playful and amusing poses.

Konar Temple is built of green stone, and it is considered an important monument. It shows the change from late Pallava art toward the early Chola style in building and sculpture. The stonework is highly refined, and the temple is an example of how South Indian temple design was evolving. Inscriptions can still be found around the temple. They date from the reign of Parantaka Chola I to the period of Rajaraja Chola I.

The temple has numerous three-dimensional embossed bhoota friezes, showing bhootas in playful and amusing poses. Several miniature sculptures depict episodes associated with Krishna, and the temple also has intricately carved garland and festoon designs.

The temple has a padabandha adhisthana that extends up to the prastara, with no superstructure or vimana above it. The Devakoshta niches do not contain sculptures. The makara toranas above the niches feature Pallava-style sculptures, including Mahishasuramardini with a lion and Gaja Lakshmi. Above the entrance to the sanctum sanctorum, the Ashta Mangala symbols are carved.

Tips for your visit

• The bhoota friezes are three-dimensional and embossed, so the figures stand out from the stone.
• Look above the niches for the makara toranas, which hold the Pallava-style sculptures.
• Look above the entrance to the sanctum sanctorum for the Ashta Mangala symbols.
• The Gandharva faces in the nasika projections each show a different expression and mood.

Questions people ask