The Making of Pothigai (Pillar Corbel)

Below - Final stages of a special Pothigai (top corbel) for a Bhadra Sthambham Pillar. The fourth side is burried in a sand pit as the silpi works. The intricately carved Pothigai will be placed on top of each Pillar of Iraivan Temple.

Pothigai shown left is positioned upside down. It takes about 200 days for one man to complete a four-sided ordinary Pothigai. This also comes in 2 or 3-sided stones. 34 Pothigai must be carved for Iraivan.