temple temple village outskirts south indian state dedicated hindu god constructed style architecture temple early medieval tamil canon saints 6th 9th centuries dedicated consort temple built king years ago temple older temple temple inscriptions rock cut caves dating period depictions granite wall surrounds temple seven bodies water temple gateway tower unfinished shaped temple tank built reign outside temple complex kings commissioned paintings walls shrine present believed appeared sage hindu gods daily rituals yearly festivals held temple festival celebrated tamil month march april prominent festival unique state community feast offered custom stretching centuries temple maintained administered hindu religious board government tamil history temple believed built seen inscriptions rock cut caves inscriptions dated period period temple construction completed presumably time influence saints 7th 9th centuries helped spread greater extent public ruling kings temple patrons inscription indicates krishna avatar consort inside temple king temple later additions subsequent later kings temple suffered extensive damage flood repaired merchant modern times temple maintained administered hindu religious board government tamil executive officer appointed board manages temple temple temple temple scheme provides free food implemented temple board scheme free food offered day temple expenditure fully funded contributions architecture temple located village road shrine built tall artificial hill stepped entrances open month period january june opened month period presiding deity temple named thai gates temple believed represent continuous cycle entering life getting image presiding deity seen standing posture facing east believed appeared sage images housed inside consort called separate shrine festival image called housed inside shrine temple depictions depicted holding demon panel shows tearing demon rectangular walls temple seven water bodies associated temple main shrine temple seven water bodies structure called depictions krishna pillars temple notable depicted dancing pot seen dancing posture like hair ornaments sculpture seen demon kings commissioned krishna paintings exterior walls shrine clear telugu language labels paintings popular themes epic commissioned kings temple main gateway tower unfinished structure shaped temple tank built present south western corner street temple stepped having steps tank believed built reign modern times maintained temple complex covers area acres tank covers area acres archaeological study revealed layout rock cut caves temple similar rock cut temples cave temple unfinished caves temple lower cave temples shrine east west separated central bay legend word means white rock owing presence white rocks region place historically referred hindu legend stayed warriors white crossed path chased hid inside hole sage king narrated incident sage asked king fill hole milk hindu god appeared sage asked king bring north build temple site requested king took started building temple killed transit king concerned accident appeared requested counted according legend consort performed temple appeared presiding deity called meaning eyes resembling lotus consort called hindu god form believed sin holding severed head appeared prayers religious significance temple revered 7th 9th century canon hymns thirteen hymns temple classified temples mentioned book ancient sanskrit books consider temple meaning place gives best sculptures pillars temple reveal earliest practice krishna worship revered temple work hindu legend eighteen steps temple represent eighteen chapters hindu scripture steps represent sacred hindu religious texts sound big pillars temple echoes temple sacred verses recited pillars worship birthplace disciple called believed taught temple according hindu legend leading philosophy visited temple disciples placed image furious disciple explained god supreme birthplace disciple believed taught temple festivals religious practices temple priests perform rituals festivals daily basis temples priests belong community sub temple rituals performed times day ritual steps decoration food offering waving lamps step worship pipe instrument percussion instrument played religious instructions sacred text recited priests temple mast weekly monthly rituals performed temple festival prominent festival temple surrounding villages celebrated tamil month march april pull round streets verses recited group temple priests amidst music pipe instrument percussion instrument festival unique state community feast offered individuals committees custom centuries old idols brought temple car early morning amidst religious chanting rituals associated taking idols temple car performed time commencing procession
Pundarikakshan Perumal Temple