Tirumalai Nayakkar Mandapam - Alagarkoil
HISTORICAL BACKGROUNDS :
Alagar koil lies about 24 km distanceFon the north east of Madurai city at the foot of Alagar hills. The name of the village and that of the temple is one and the same. This temple has a glorious past since Sangam Period. This monument named Vasantham,andapam is located at the entrance of the fort called Thalaikkottai.
Vasanthamandapam was constructed by Thirumalai Nayak during 17th century AD. So this mandapa is called as Thirumalai Nayakkar 'andapa by the local people. The portrait sculpture of Thirumaiai Nayak found on this mandapa is one of the best examples of South Indian portraits.
This figure is more elegant and attractive than the other figures found in rivilliputhur, Thirupparankundram, Thirubhuvanam and Madurai pudumandapam.
The consort of Thirumalai Nayak is also portraid with him.the wavy designed garments, different kinds of ornaments decked in this figure very beautiful and intricate. These type of ornaments are still in vogue among e ladies of this region.
Bangles embeded with pearls found in the arms add beauty of this queen. Portraits of Muthiyalu Nayak, the younger brother of Thirumalai Nayak andhis queen are also found in a 'pillar of this Maridapa. these images are very less in number in the nayak structures. Two more Nayak official are also portraid in the pillars. This mandapa is noteworthy for Nayak architecture.