The temple in India originated as a place of worship or a cult centre, in the centuries immediately before and after the beginning of Christian era. It was systematically built up as an institution, an innovative focus for all human activities socio, economic and cultural and land symbol of power by ruling dynasties from 4th Century. The place where the deity was enshrined thus became a major concern for all aspirants to power. Hence the art of building temples and carving images was promoted. For upkeep of place of worship, the temple, the special provisions were made such as grants of land, cattle and gold by the rulers, to legitimize their sovereignty. All these trends are also appeared in the Vaigai and Tamiraparani regions. Several hundreds of inscriptions portrayed in the temples attest to the socio economic role in the way of land grants and other endowments, agrarian settlement and construction of temples and installation of the images of gods and goddesses. Sethiraya Iswaramudaiyar temple located on the river bank of vaigai has accommodated several inscriptions, architectural and sculptural importance and this temple belonged to the later Pandya edifice which reflects the specific characteristic features. This temple also contains the remodeled structure of Vijayanagara Nayaka features.  

Key Words:

Pandyas, Attrurnadu, Pallipadai, Vimana, Upapitha, Adhisthana, Pada, Kumbapanchara, prasthara, pranala, kapota, karnakuta, Arthamandapa, kurmapurana, sculptures, linga, nandi, miniature carvings etc.