South view of the Temple of Avutaiyar Kovil, near Tanjore - 1803

Watercolour drawing with pen and ink of the temple of Avudaiyarkoil near Thanjavur, by an anonymous artist working in the South India/Madurai style, c. 1803. Inscribed: '84. No.10. A South View of the Selebrated Pagoda of Auvedayar covil. Mysore Coll. of drawings.' and includes measurements.

Avudaiyarkoil is situated approximately 40 km from Pudukottai in Tamil Nadu. The area is believed to date to the pre-historic period, but in its present form it mostly dates to the 17th century. The Athmanathaswami temple in Avudaiyarkoil is dedicated to the worship of Shiva as Atmanatha and has many life-size sculptures and elaborate wood carvings. This view shows the inner court of the temple, with the mandapa (columned hall) in the foreground. The pyramidal tower can be seen over the entrance to the sanctuary and the elaborately carved pillars and the roof of the porch are made of granite.

Source : British Library