THIRUNEDUNGALAM
A beautiful assemblage of Saptamatrikas are found in the Nedungalanathar temple at Thirunedungalam in Tiruchirappalli district. Thirunedungalam, glorified by the Saiva saints in their hymns, is a huge two prakara complex with various shrines, mandapas and gopuras. The Goddess Mangalanayaki shrine is in the outer prakara of the complex. The temple is known for its rich inscriptions, the earliest inscription of this complex dates back to Pallava period and inscriptions of Cholas, Pandyas, Vijayanagar and Nayaks also found. It shows the temple had continuous patronization under various succeeding dynasties.
Two sets of Saptamatrika assemblages are seen in the inner prakara thiruchurru, in that, the Gods and Goddesses as individual icons is exquisite and the attributes of the sculpture place them to Chola period. The Goddesses are placed in the order of Brahmi, Maheswari, Kaumari, Vaishnavi, Varahi, Indrani and Chamundi, in addition, the goddesses are guarded by Lord Virabhadra and Lord Ganesa. All the deities are seated on a pedestal.
Lord Virabhadra is seated in yogasana with yogapatta, His front hands are in abhaya and ahuyavarada whereas the back hands in kataka carry fire and akshamala. Draped in short attire with idaikkattu, locks are gathered as jatabhara and decked with head patta, flower. Charapali, patrakundalas, kankanas, keyuras and udarabandha are the ornaments adorn by him. Vastra yajnopavita is worn in upavita fashion.
All the Goddesses are seated in suhasana with their front right hand is in abhaya hasta and their front left hand placed on their left leg in a kataka or ahuyavarada whereas their back hands showing mudra carry their respective weapons. Except Brahmi and Chamunda the rest of the Goddesses are in kartari mudra whereas the other two are in kataka mudra. Brahmi is carrying akshmala and kamandalu, Maheswari axe and deer, Kaumari and Indrani sakti, vajra, Vaishnavi and Varahi prayoga chakra, sankha, Chanmunda sword in the right and scull bowl in the left.
All the Goddesses are gorgeous, richly decked with ornaments, attire and hair dressing. The locks of the Goddesses are arranged in various styles, Brahmi and Maheswari in jatamakuta, Kaumari and Varahi in karandamakuta, Vaishnavi and Indrani are in kiritamakuta, and the braids of Chamunda are styled as virisadai. In addition, the hair dressing is ornamented with stone studded head patta. Kaumari is adorned with chenni and siraschakra, besides, siraschakra is also shown for Vaishnavi and Indrani. The virisadai of Chamunda is decked with scull, snakes and flowers.
Upon the attire, Brahmi, Vaishnavi, Varahi, Indrani are draped upto their ankle, for the former two of the Goddesses, it is well creased denoting silk attire whereas for the latter two it seems like a diaphanous wear. Maheswari, Kaumari and Chamunda are adorned with short attire draping upto their thigh. Their attire is fastened by hip belt, besides, the idaikattu is slackly worn above, the knots of the idaikattu spread on the sides. Except Chamunda all the Goddesses are draped with breast band which also has shoulder straps. For Chamunda a snake is shown entwine above the breast.
Except Kaumari and Indrani all the Goddesses are wearing yajnopavita, as the two Goddesses are decked with chhannavira, a symbol of valour. Usually skull garland is seen for Chamunda but here the Goddess is decked with a garland of human heads, it is quite unique. Except Vaishnavi, all the Goddesses are wearing in upavita fashion whereas for the former it is in niveta fashion. As like, the yajnopavita of Goddesses Vaishnavi and Varahi are vastara type. Chhannavira of Kaumari is ornamental than that of Indrani.
The Goddesses are lavishly decked with ornaments. Brahmi, Maheswari, Vaishnavi and Indrani are decked with makarakundalas on both ears while Kaumari with patrakundalas whereas Chamunda with patrakundala in the left and a human body in the right, probably alive. Chavadi, charapali, beaded mala, sevipoo, kankana, keyura, talseri, megalai, and ring are the other ornaments of adorn by the deities. Charapali of some of the goddesses are stone studded. Snake entwine the upper arms of Chamunda.
Among the goddesses, Brahmi is in wide smile whereas Indrani and Vaishnavi are in slight grin. Chamunda, with spewed out eyes, mouth wide open with fangs conspicuous and the crude accessories a picture perfect of intimidation.
Lord Ganesa in karandamakuta and short attire is seated in maharajalilasana, his back hands in kataka carry pasa and angusa whereas the front right hand in kataka and carry the broken tusk and the front left hand carry the motaka. Charapali, keyura, kankanas, thazhseri, udarabanda are the ornaments adorn by him. Idaikattu is slackly worn over the lower attire. His proboscis is left turned and enjoys the motaka carried on the left front hand.
The matrika assemblage of Thirunedungalam is a splendid portrayal, the Gods and Goddesses in poise, different styles of hair dressing and attire, lavishly decked with ornaments are imposing. Chamunda of Thirunedungalam is unique, live human kundala, human head yajnopavita are quite interesting. The attributes of the sculptures in all its facets exhibit the mastery of Chola sculptors.