Pundareekapuram is a small temple atop a little rise called Midayikunnam near Thalayolaparampu in Kottayam. Architecturally it is almost similar to another typical village temple of Kerala. A tiled and saddle roofed square ‘chuttampalam’ encloses a square sanctum. Appended to this square enclosure is a small ‘balikkalpura’. The idol worshipped in this temple is the image of Vishnu sitting astride his celestial vehicle Garuda with Bhoodevi. This is a rare and magnificient icon.
There’s a fine picture of Siva and Parvathi sitting beneath the Kalpavriksha; the pranks of Krishna the divine boy of Ambadi; a picture of a Yakshi the dangerous seductress of legends; a powerful picture of Durga vanquishing the buffalo-headed demon Mahisha, Rama Pattabhishekham or the coronation of Sri Rama; Siva Thandava and a picture of Sastha astride a horse to point out a few of the striking paintings at Pundareekapuram.
Since the temple is tucked away in off rarely trodden road, these paintings have remained relatively obscure for long time. But these murals, no doubt can hold their own against the better-known wall paintings of Mattancheri Palaces and Padmanabhapuram. In all probability these murals were painted during the latter half of the 18 th century.
Another characteristic of Kerala murals and Pundareekapuram paintings in general are the boldness and accuracy of the lines, which give a unique force to the paintings.
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