The word ‘Kunru – Andan – Koil’, literally means the ‘Temple of the Lord of the Hill’. The place has been mentioned in the inscriptions as ‘Tirukkunrakkadi’. The earliest inscriptions belong to the period of Nandivarma Pallava Malla and his son Dantivarman, and record the elaborate feeding of learned people and scholars during the ‘Tiruvatirai’ festival. The other inscriptions are of the Cholas, Chalukyas, Pandyas and Vijayanagar rulers.

Kunnandar Kovil is a Kallar settlement in the former State of Pudukottai. The village was divided into two. The northern part belonged to Vedamalai Kallar and the Southern to the Tenmalai Kallar, during the 14th century.

This temple which combines the features of the late Pallava and early Chola styles, has a beautiful ‘Nritta mandapa’ and a hundred pillared ‘Mandapa’, both being excellent specimens of Vijayanagar art. The shrine is dedicated to Lord Shiva called popularly as Parvatagirishwara. There are a number of sculptures on the rock face to the south of the cave. The main idols are Valampuri Ganesha, Somaskanda and the two ‘dwarapalas’, which are of very good workmanship. One of the two portrait sculptures is identified as the Muttarayar Chief, who built the temple. The other is probably that of this chief assistant.

Kunnandar Kovil has some excellent bronze sculptures which are remarkable in their workmanship and design. Shiva seated with Parvati their young son Skanda (Somaskanda), Nataraja and Shivakami are exquisite examples of South Indian art and craft.

The village Kunnandar Kovil is connected by a good road with Tiruchirapalli and Pudukottai. State Road Transport buses and private vans operate in this route at frequent intervals. The nearest railway station is Kiranur on the Tiruchi – Pudukottai line.

Devakottai

Famous both for the Devakottai chicken and as the region's second largest town. Its streets are lined with old Chettinad mansions, the most famous being Periya Minor's Veedu, complete with Spanish tiled roof, Italian floor tiles and carved teak pillars.