Tiruvarur, August 21, 2013: A clutch of rare paintings dating back to the Vijayanagar era were found at the sanctum sanctorum of Sri Kalyanasundareswarar Temple at Nallur in the district recently.

Sundar Bharadwaj and Shankar Bharadwaj, donors, who have taken up renovation of the temple, spotted the paintings.

The Kumbabishekam of the temple is slated to be taken up on August 30.

Kudavayil Balasubramanian, historian and epigraphist, studied the paintings and concluded their historical authenticity. Though many paintings adorn the walls of the sanctum sanctorum, except four all have faded.

“The paintings are that of Naradar playing a veena, an artiste holding a pair of cymbals, moon, and child skanda holding a lotus.

The temple belonging to Thiruvavaduthurai Adheenam is one of the madakoils of Chola country and is located near the ancient city of Pazhayarai, the historical capital of Cholas.

Source: The Hindu, August 21, 2013