The Ōṅgallūr Taḷi Temple is one of the eighteen ancient Taḷis (temples of significant historical importance) of medieval Kerala. Situated in the Ōṅgallūr Panchāyat of Pālakkād District, the temple is accessible by alighting at the Maññaluṅgal (മഞ്ഞളുങ്ങൽ) bus stop, approximately 3 kilometers from Paṭṭāmbi on the Paṭṭāmbi-Shorṇūr bus route. Around the year 2000, when photographed, the temple was observed to be in a state of disrepair.
The primary deity, Śiva, is enshrined as a considerably large east-facing idol within a two-tiered śrīkōvil. A mukha-maṇṭapa (entrance hall) is attached to the śrīkōvil, likely a later addition as suggested by its comparatively less ornate walls. The southern wall of the śrīkōvil features a Dakshināmūrthy Naṭa (a niche dedicated to Lord Dakshināmūrthy). Notably, the temple lacks a namaskāra-maṇṭapa (pillared hall for prostrations), offering a direct view of the sopāna from the balikkal located outside the nālambalam.
The superstructure of the śrīkōvil is constructed from laterite, plastered over, and adorned with a rhythmic arrangement of vertical niches and ghana dvāras (false doors) crowned by makara tōranās and panjara miniature shrines. These panjaras are further embellished with nāsika windows containing sculpted faces, culminating in a highly ornamental exterior that is visually appealing. The simpler ornamentation of the mukha-maṇṭapa walls supports the inference of its later construction. The ornate balipiṭha stands outside the nālambalam, in the open courtyard.
Based on certain architectural elements of the temple, K. V. Soundara Rajan in his book Temple Architecture in Kerala dates the temple around 13th - 14th century A. D. and further he calls it the "end of stone architecture stage when the wood work development had not yet supplanted the idiom and craftsmanship."
Regrettably, over two decades later, the condition of the temple appears to have not significantly improved. This video provides a comprehensive view of the temple as on 2023 and appeals to devotees for contributions towards its renovation.
This video clearly shows the śrīkōvil wall decorations in detail.
Ōṅgallūr Taḷiyil Ganapathy Temple || ഓങ്ങല്ലൂർ തളിയിൽ ഗണപതി
Located approximately one kilometer from the Ōṅgallūr Taḷi Temple is the Ōṅgallūr Taḷiyil Ganapathy Temple. Although the primary pratiṣṭha within the circular, single-tiered (ēkatala) śrīkōvil is Śiva, a shrine dedicated to Ganapathy, facing south, is also situated within the main śrīkōvil. As the temple's name suggests, this later shrine holds greater prominence. The temple is accessible by alighting at the Ganapathiān Kāvu bus stop on the Paṭṭāmbi-Shorṇur route.
