Category:Pandakasala Pukayila Ganapati Temple, Kollam

Pandakasala Pukayila Ganapati Temple 

A Tamil style Hindu temple in Kollam, Kerala
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Instance of	Hindu temple
Location	Kollam district, Kerala, India
8° 53′ 02″ N, 76° 35′ 00″ E
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The Pandakasala Pukayila Ganapathy temple, also known as Chinthathura Vinayaka temple or Ganapati-nadai, is a north facing pre-15th century temple in Kollam, Kerala. It has a notable ektala, square plan Dravidian Hindu architecture with a square plan namaskara mandapam in front.

This Ganapati temple of Kollam – not to be confused with several other Ganesha temples in Kollam – has several inscriptions, of which the most famous one is a Sanskrit inscription found on the temple's pattika, which mentions Nityaprajnamuni – the author of Kramadipika vyakhya, and attributes a gift to Vira Kerala Varman in Kollam 671 (1496 CE). The temple has two other inscriptions in Tamil language and one of these is dated to 1478 CE; it calls it a Govinda temple – a claim consistent with the Krishna-related artwork found at this temple. It is unknown how large this complex was in its history, and when the original Govinda temple was renamed to Ganapathy temple.

The architecture and artwork in this Ganapati temple is closer to Tamil Hindu temples. The vimana is square, as is the garbhagriya. An antarala connects the sanctum to a mukhamandapa with two porticos. Entrance into the temple is from east, via two platforms with steps. Similarly the namaskara mandapa is square and raised. The sopanams remind of Chalukya style as found in the refined temples built by the Kakatiya artisans in Telangana. Two dvarapalas (sankhanidhi and padmanidhi) flank the entrance of the temple. The temple structure is elaborately decorated, some similar to those found in Tamil Nadu in temples restored during the Vijayanagara Empire period. The artwork includes Shaiva, Vaishnava and Devi traditions.