Śaivism Under the Imperial Colas as Revealed Through Their Monuments

The present book is on Saivism under the Imperial Colas as revealed through their Monuments. The author undertook extensive fieldwork in the entire stretch of the Kaviri delta with her guide. The book is in seven chapters, dealing with the following aspects: Historical Setting of the Colas, beginning with Vijayalaya to Rajaraja III; A Bird’s eye view of the Cola Temples based on the survey made of S.R. Balasubrahmaninan; Iconographic Programme in Cola Temples as under the Early, Middle and Later Colas, pointing out the stages of evolution; The Saivite pantheon as reflected in the Cola monuments, reflecting on the status of Saivism under the Colas. It presents a statistical account of the status of the various iconographical forms of the Hindu gods and goddesses which is most vital part of the book; Ritual orientation of the Siva temples; An examination of Saivism in retrospection; Saivism and its factions such as the Kalamukhas and Kapalikas.