“.....திருக்கழுக்குன்றத்து ஶ்ரீமலைமேல் மூலத்தானத்து பெருமானடிகளுக்கு வழிபாட்டுப் புறமாக வாதாபி கொண்ட நரசிங்கப் போத்தரசர் வைத்தது.”
– Inscription at the Thirukkazhukunram temple
Pallava Presence around us
The presence of the 500 year Pallava Era in
Thondaimandalam, is felt around us to this day.
Structural Pallava Temples built with
perishable materials in most places have been transformed into stone temples in
the subsequent centuries. The earliest structural stone temple of the 7th
century built by Parameswara Pallava
survives in the Village of Kooram near Kanchi.
A few temples built of stone in Kanchipuram
and Panamalai with traces of the original paintings, have survived to this day
with a semblance of their original form.
However, we have the songs of the
Naayanmaars that establish the presence of Shiva temples in the Pallava
territory and that of Azhwars for the presence of Temples of Vishnu.
Thirupporur
Ancient Thirupporur temple has
seen a Pallava contribution to its building in the 8th century.
Seen from the inscriptions, Thirupporur had
been a special place with donations from the places we see today and grants
received from the kings
-
During the reign of Vikrama Chola ( 1118 – 1136 CE) - Inscription Registers
gift of land free of tax by the assembly of Sembakkam alias
ParakesariNallur in Sirukunra Nadu to provide for the celebrations in the
temple of Subramanya deva (ARIE No 121 / 1933-34)
- Gift of paddy by certain residents to the
village of Kaayaaru alias Kamalanarayana Chaturvedhimangalam in Kumizhi
nadu subdivision of Amoor Kottam in Jayamkonda Chola mandalam to provide for
offerings and lamps and other requirements in the temple of Pillayaar
Subramanya Deva at Thirupporiyur. Era of a chola king with the title
Rajakesarivarman (ARIE No 122 / 1933-34)
- Registers the grant of a veli of land as
tax - free devadaana to the temple of Subramanyadeva. Era Vikrama Chola deva (ARIE
No 123 / 1933-34)
- Seems to register gift of land made after
purchase by a resident of Ilanallur for conducting the Ardha Jaama
Poojai - Midnight service in the temple. (ARIE No 124 / 1933-34)
-Agreement
given by a Sivabrahmana at the temple of Subramanyadeva at Thirupporur in
Kumuzhi Nadu, sub division of Amoor Kottam, district of JayamkondaChola
Mandalam to burn 5 twilight lamps in return of the cows received from 2 persons
in the Era of Vijaya Ganda Gopala Deva. He was the Telegu Choda ruler of
Thondaimandalam after the fall of the Chola Empire and the subsequent foray of
the Pandyas for a while. (ARIE No 121 / 1933-34)
This is a Pillar with inscription in Pallava
Grantham script, displays Two titles of
the king, describing his qualities, most likely chosen by the king himself. They are :
1. Guna Vineetha ( meaning -The Modest one, though
possessing many virtues )
2.
Bharani Thilaka ( The Ornament of the
World )
Thirupporur had continued to be a unifying
force both culturally and spiritually until the advent of the British in 1764.
Thiruvidanthai
The temple of Thiruvidanthai, right on the
Sea Coast, then known as Guna Kadal – meaning the Eastern Sea, was visited by
Thirumangai Azhwar in the 8th century and he had composed his paasuram on the “இடவெந்தை
எந்தை பிரான்”.
It is said The temple derives its name
from Varahaswami in the Sanctum with his
face turned towards the left – திரு + இட+ எந்தை ( எம் + தந்தை )
The Sthala Puranam of
the temple describes the scenic route along the coast as, ““அந்த வழியில் வாவிகளும், பூஞ்சோலைகளும்,
தடாகங்களும், அழகிய விருக்க்ஷங்களும், நாநா மிருகபக்ஷிகளும் இருந்தன “. Water
Bodies, Flower Gardens, Beautiful Trees, and multiple birds and animals – can
anyone imagine a more beautiful world. Blessed to live in this land.
It must have been one of those temples that
transformed into a stone construction in Chola times about 1000 years ago.
Interesting aspects seen from the
inscriptions in the temple are
1. Distance had not been too big a deterrence in the
olden days. The atmosphere had also been
conducive for travel and trade. Donors include Merchants who had come as far as
Kodungallur in Malai Naadu and a village in Valluva Naadu a good 700 kms away !
2. Donors from many places of Greater Chennai area such as Mayilaarpil of
Puliyur KOttam, Thirumangalam, a village in Puzhal KOttam, Thiruvorriyur in
Puzhal KOttam have been engraved.
3. Corpus donations had been accepted, the interest on
which had funded lighting of the lamps or feeding of the brahmins engaged in
the preservation of vedas.
4. Donations hadn’t been made to the residents of Thiruvidanthai alone. The economic aspect of
it was taken care of by donating to the residents of some villages around
Thiruvidanthai on their undertaking to fulfil their obligations.
1. Maadambakkam in Nedunkunra Naadu – Puliyur KOttam
2. Paduvur in Paduvur Nadu – in Aamur KOttam
3. Thaiyur / Thalaisayanapuram – in Kumuli Naadu –
Aamur KOttam
Details of the
inscriptions are in Appendix A
The Mandapams in the temple with assorted pillars
seem to indicate renovations after destructions with materials salvaged or even
outsourced.
The huge sacred Kulam of the temple has wonderful
trees. One cannot help wishing the society of today feels the same way about
water bodies and trees as our ancestors did.
Thiruvadisoolam – ( Thiruvidaichuram )
விரிவளர்
தருபொழில் இளமயில் ஆல
வெண்ணிறத்
தருவிகள் திண்ணென வீழும்
எரிவள
ரினமணி புனமணி சாரல்
இடைச்சுர மேவிய இவர்வண மென்னே 1
Ah !! The Graciousness of the One Residing at Idaichuram,
a place of Forest full of Trees and vegetation that remain green all the year
with peacocks, robust water falls,& luminous
gems!! Wonders Sambandar…
…
“மல்கிய
சாரல்
இலைஇல
வங்கமும் ஏலமுங் கமழும்
இடைச்சுர
மேவிய இவர்வண மென்னே.”
-
சம்பந்தர் தேவாரம்
- The Gracious one residing at Idaichuram which smells pleasantly of cardamom and cinnamon
This
temple of Thiruidaichura Nathar on the Thirupporur - Chengalpattu road, had wonderful
smells of spices in the 7th century!
The temple has many inscriptions
that give us an interesting peep into our history.
1. An
inscription of the 12th / 13th century, directing
Officials to register the land given to the temple ordained as tax free, speaks
of the meticulous administration and records of those times.
2.
In
the year 1128 CE, Seerangan, a shepherd
from Pallavaram of Puliyur Kottam had undertaken to provide a certain
amount of ghee to the temple every year. A distance of about 40 kms hadn’t meant much to him!
3.
Another
inscription of 1117 CE is interesting. Matrilineal Inheritance of a property,
is generally seen in Kerala. Inheritance by the children of the daughter had
not been generally in practice in Tamilnadu.
A person, Thamizhadhraiyar Perumaan Nithamadigal from a place called Kalathur had inherited
lands from his mother’s family and had donated three fourths of it to this temple and the document appears
to be elaborately signed by at least 7 persons. The interesting donation is
clear in its description – the land that is dependent on the rains, has forest,
hills, standing trees looking above, and a well looking below!
4.
Three
other persons who had inherited one fourth had also donated their share. Were
they people from the Kerala region settled here? Or did some communities here
follow such inheritance practices?
Thirukkachur - திருஆலக்கோயிலுடைய மகாதேவர்
மறவேன்
அடியேன் வயல் சூழ்ந்த
ஆலைக்
கழனிப் பழனக் கச்சூர்
ஆலக் கோயில் அம்மானே.
- சுந்தரர் தேவாரம்
Kachchur, a place
surrounded by fertile agricultural lands and water bodies is how Thiruchchur
was described by Sundaramoorthy Nayanar when
he visited this ancient temple during the 8th century. This temple has a beautiful stepwell.
There are
numerous Inscriptions right from the
times of Cholas, Pandyas, Feudatories, the Local Chieftains ,to Vijayanagar
Emperors. In addition to the Royal donors, contributions by common citizens
have also been recorded in this temple.
The astounding
aspect is, contrary to the popular myth
propagated in recent times; our villages were never isolated islands. Travels and transportation indicate a
buoyant culture and economy.
- Era Kulothunga Chola I ( 1070 -1120 CE ) the
inscription records a gift of a Nanda lamp, and 90 sheep to meet its expenses
to the temple and the deity… by a certain Eyinangudi - Kilavan Nambi …. In
Urrukkaattu Kottam in Jayankondachola Mandalam. It appears the sheep were left
in charge of someone belonging to Manimangalam in Nedunkunra Nadu in Selumur
Kottam. (AR 266 / 1909)
- It records, a gift of 90 sheep to provide ghee for
nanda lamp for the temple of Tiruvaalakkoilaandaar of Thirukachur by
Tiruvarangadevan alias Virudarajabhuyamkara Chola Vaniyan of Iruppakkalakkudi
of Venkunra Kottam in Jayamkonda Chola Mandalam. It is stated that the 90 sheep
were divided amongst three or four persons for maintenance, who had agreed to
carry out perpetually the object of the gift. AR 269 / 1909)
- It records, a gift of a nanda lamp
to the temple of Tiruvaalakkoilaandaar by Kirandai Selvan Survadevan of
the same place. It is stated, that to provide for the gift, he sold a piece of
land for a sum of 5 anradu - narkasu to the Oor of the place. ( AR 265 / 1909 )
- During the reign of Rajadhiraja The inscription
records a gift of tax, paid in oil as well as one pazhankaasu per oil press ,
from the oil presses established in the temple of the God Tiruvaalakkoyiludaiya
Mahadevar of Tirukkachur alias Nittavinodha Nallur, to provide for the expenses
of the temple connected with the burning of 2 nanda lamps and 10 sandhi lamps,
for food offerings on every Amavasya Day, and for oil for the torches used on
the occasion of taking out, the images in procession. The gift was made by the assembly consisting of the
oil mongers of Sri Kaanchi Maanagar and the people of 24 Nagarams of Kanchi
Mandalam, who had gathered in full strength, with no absentees, in the temple
of Tirukkaattupilliyudaiya Naayannar of Kanchi Maanagar. This endowment is stated to be a jati
dharman. One Samayanaraya Tamilavelaan is stated to have written this on the
orders of the Nayara ( members of the above-mentioned assembly ).
- Records gift of money made by one Pushpagiri
Maanikka Kuttan of the Thyagavinodha Tirumadam situated in the
Thirumadaivilagam of the temple for 3
lamps in the temple.
- Registers the grant of a village as devadana to the
temple with effect from the month of Adi. It refers to a vaidya vritti in
the village. Incidentally, there is a second temple on a hill called
Oushadhagiri – hill with medicinal herbs.
- Gift of gold for a twilight lamp in the temple by
VisveswaraDeva a Mudhaliyar of Thiruppaadhiripuliyur. Mentions the
Thyagavinodha Matha in the Thirumadaivilagam of the temple.
The Inscriptions in Thirukkachur are too numerous to be listed here..
It speaks of Pazhamkaasu indictating new coins minted had a different value. It speaks of droughts that happened. It also speaks of Pandyas who after defeating the Cholas in the 13th century came to the temples here and made contributions.
Other Temples / Places
with Pallava Inscriptions
Acharavakkam
- Agateeswarar Temple – Nrupatunga Pallava
Registration of Land as
Archanabhoga to Agattiarittevar by a certain Sankan after purchase. ( AR No 108
/ 1933 -34 )
Nrupathunga
Pallava ruled between 865 – 906 CE. Those were times when the Pallava empire was losing steam. The space for
the rise of a new Power in the form of Cholas was evolving.
Kalattur – Munkudumeeswara
Temple
– Slab built into the
floor of the Mukha Mandapam – ARIE No 349/1911 – Era - Nandhi Varma Pallava
It mentions Kalattur
Kottam and Parameswara. Therefore, it could be the time of Nandhivarman II who
ruled between 732 -796 CE
It was during his reign
that Vaikunda Perumal Temple, originally known as Parameswara Vinnagaram, a divya desam sung by
Thirumangai Azhwar, was built at Kanchi, the capital city. This temple has, in
its prakaram sculptures depicting the events and the history of the Pallavas.
Maanaampathy
– Thirukareeswara Temple - Once known as Thirukkarapuram Udaya Naayanaar temple
Era - SakalabhuvanaChakravarti
Koperunjinga – A King who claimed to be of Pallava descent in the 13th
century
AR 221 / 1930-31 Gift
of cows for a twilight lamp to the temple by Sivadasan Rishabhavahanadevan of
Thiruvegambamudaiyaan, the accountant of the village of Thirukkarapuram and a
member of Aalungana and his brother Aalavanda Pillai.
Now this King
Koperunjinga, who called himself Sakalabhuvana Chakravarti, is seldom seen in the history text books at
school. When we look deeper, we find an inscription - AR No 285 / 1921 – at the
Muktiswara temple ( north and west walls
), Attur in the Chengalpattu district.
This King had gifted
the village of Attur for a seven storied gopuram at the southern entrance of
the Chidambaram temple. Researchers have
placed him as a contemporary of the Chola King Raja Raja III ( 1216 -1256 CE)
Inscription AR No 286 /
1921 in same temple, has information about Koperunjinga. He had called himself
a Divine Flower of the Pallava dynasty, Protector of the world and so on. (Pallavakula-parijata, Kadavakula-chudamani,
Avanipalana-jata etc).
The power of the Chola Empire was
declining in the 1200s and capture of
the Thondaimandalam had been attributed to Koperunjinga. He claims supremacy over the Chola, Pandya, kings of Karnataka
and Andhra.
His connection with Mamallapuram
and Kanchipuram is indicated by the titles Mallapuri-vallabha and
Kanchipuri-kanta
The inscription has an about
the tax to be paid, issued through
Neelagangaraiyar, who seems to have held an important office in his
administration.
Padur - A
Slab in Mettu theru
It speaks
of a Vishnu Temple that existed at Padur in Pallava times.
The beginning
of this inscription is lost, but from the script, it had been assigned to Nandivarman III. It is
dated in the 18th year and registers the gift of 96 sheep by the shepherds
(kottaanradis) of Amur-kottam for burning a perpetual lamp before the god
Peruma[na*]digal of Vilupperundaya-Vishnugriham
in Paduvur. AR
No 8 / 1934-35
Nandi Varman III ruled
between 846 -869 CE. He fought with the Pandyas to when he was challenged from
the south. His victory over them at Thellaaru ( தெள்ளாறு) was significant and he therefore he was
known by his title தெள்ளாறு எறிந்த நந்திவர்மன். நந்திக் கலம்பகம் was
composed on his valour in this battle.
He had a fleet of ships
and was also known as கடற்படை அவனி நாரணன். During his rule over Poompuhar, Tamil traders
travelled to Thailand. A tamil inscription of the 9th century has
been found in Thailand that says, a lake was created in his name and was left
under the care of a Trade Body called மணிகிராமத்தார்.
Payyanur – Ettiswara temple
On a rock near the
temple. Era - VijayaNandivikramavarma Pallava
1.
ARIE No 109
/ 1932-33 Registers the agreement made by the Gana of Payyanur to excavate a
tank in the village .There were two more inscriptions found in 1932 by ASI in the same temple.
2.
On the west and south walls of the dilapidated
temple of Ettiswara
ARIE No 108 / 1932-33 Stones
misplaced and some lost. Registers the orders of Neelagangaraiyar granting some
land as devadaana to the temple of Ettesuramudaiya - Naayanar of Paiyyanur
after settling a dispute over this land with the sabha by consulting the
inscription engraved in the temple which was however damaged in certain places.
Two ascetics are said to have given up their lives on account of the dispute.
3.
On a Broken
Pillar lying in the village – Era – Rajaraja Chola III - ARIE No 110 / 1932-33
- Seems to register a gift - Rajaraja Chaturvedhimngalam
Poonjeri – On a Rock on the eastern side of the village –
Pallava Era.
Inscribed are the
following names, the sculptors / friends engraving their names.
ARIE No 105 / 1932-33 –
Kevaadha Perunthachchan , Kunamalla, Paiyyamilippaan, Chaatamukkiyan and Kaliya
ARIE No 106 / 1932-33 – Namah Thiruvorriyur
Aabhajar
ARIE No 107 / 1932-33 –
Kollan Seemagan
Pudhuppakkam – Selliamman Temple
1.
ARIE No 60
/ 1923 - On a slab built into the floor of the mandapa in front of the
Saptamatrika Shrine in the Selliamman Temple at the village of Pudhuppakkam. –
Era - Pallava Pottaraiyar.
It was just a fragment
in 1923, describing gift of land as Bhatta vritti by a member of the
Nallilamangalam of Eyir Kottam
2.
ARIE No 61
/ 1923 - This temple had two more broken slabs of the Chola Era in the same compound in 1923.
It mentions Gift of land free of taxes to the temple of Bhatari by the
assembly of Nallilamangalam of Merpalugur Nadu , a sub division of
Maniyirkottam
3.
Era of
Aparajitha Varma Pallava, the last Pallava Ruler
ARIE No 62 / 1923 - Another slab in the compound of the Selliamman Temple. Aparajitha
Varma Pallava who ruled for about 20 years from 870 – 890 CE
This Stone chipped off, seems to
record a gift of land.
Aparajitha Varma Pallava was the last Pallava ruler who was defeated by Aditya
Cholan after which Thondaimandalam became a part of the Chola Empire. Kampavarman,
said to be the younger son of Nandivarman III had ruled over a small territory
for some years.
Keerappakkam
- Era of Kampavarman - ARIE No 20-22/1934-35
This village had a lake
near which slabs with these inscriptions in the granthi script were found by
the ASI in the year 1934-35. It speaks of a Jain temple and a monastery in the
northern part of the village around the year 886 CE.
A group from Kumizhi
had made arrangements for the people in the monastery to be fed.
They had wished the
lake of Keerapattur ( Possibly this could have been the name of the lake then )
to be protected and maintained. For this purpose, they have donated 20 kuzhi of
land to Sangan, a resident of this place.
In addition to this,
the wife of குமாரந்தை அறவாணனன் of a place called ஞாயிறு had her hereditary land in this village. She has performed
Bhoomi Dhaanam of this land to the
village assembly for the protection and maintenance of the lake.
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