மாடம்பாக்கத்து சிற்றேரிஉடைய நாயனார்

 

A deity who owns a lake, the one comparatively smaller to the much larger lake of Maadambakkam, is how, Dhenupuriswarar was named in the Chola Era inscriptions. The beautiful lake has thankfully survived to this day.

The Sthala Puranam of a cow worshipping a swambhu lingam, narrates the Origins of this ancient temple.

 Its antiquity, before it became a கற்றளி, (Built by Stone) cannot be assessed but various inscriptions in the temple speak of its importance, and events of a 1000 years.

 Records of grants by the Kings themselves, or by their feudatories, depict the significant place Madambakkam held over several centuries.

That many inscriptions are fragmentary, not only show the attack and destruction it had faced; but also, the tenacity of the devotees who had never given up their Gods, even when mutilated. The Fragments had been reassembled for the reconstruction of the temple.

It is a pleasant surprise to find a street still bearing the name, mentioned in the Inscription of Sundara Pandian of the 13^th century.

 Changing the name to one of the Personalities of the 20^th Century would have meant erasing a precious piece of history!! Thirumadai Vilaagam generally refers to the streets around the temple. 

A quick reading of the inscriptions would reveal the names of kings, the Feudatories and even an Agricultural Guild.

Feudatories and Generals

Panchanadhivaanan Neelagangaraiyan

Arunagiri Perumal Neelagangaraiyan

They were Feudatories of the Cholas.

KOperunjingan

He claimed Pallava descent and wielded Power towards the close of the Chola Rule.

Vittappar

He was one of the generals of Kumara Kampanna, who defeated the Madurai Sultanate established by Ulugh Khan, liberated Srirangam and restored worship in many temples of Tamilnadu after 50 years of oppression. Kumara Kampanna was the son of Bukka Raya, founder of the Vijayanagar Empire.

Thani Ninru Vendra Perumaal Velaan   - Probably an Agent of Veera Pandian

More details of the feudatories are in the next blog post.

The inscriptions have been given as a separate footnote.

 

It is interesting to find Neighbouring Villages and Deities mentioned in the inscriptions.

1.      Certain lands in Maduraipakkam (village near Ponmar), was donated as Devadhaanam to Maadampakkam. It also lists Certain Taxes and fines collected from that village in those times were to be remitted to the temple treasury - Oorkaaval kadamai, vetti, arimukkai, kaasu, kadamai, pattadai kutram, Karthigai Pachai kasu, Vettikaasu etc, by the order of Arunagiri Perumal Neelagangaraiyan.

2.     The Eastern boundary of land donation done during the times of Koeperunjinga and documented during the times of Sundara Pandya is mentioned as Vengaivaasal.

3.     Gift of the village of Medanpakkam by Vittappar with the permission of Kumara Kampanna. Could it be the Medavakkam of today?

 

A Guild of Agriculturists

1.      AR No 202/1961-62 – Era 15^th Century - Fragmentary. Mentions the Thirukkaavanam named Chitrameli…. Another piece refers to the grants made to the God Poyyiliieswaramudaiya Nayanar and the Bhattas.

A காவணம் according to the Tamil dictionary could mean a Grove or a shed with a flat roof.

சித்திரமேழி என்பது, புனிதமாக, அலங்கரிக்கப்பட்ட அழகிய ஏர்கலப்பை.

There was a Guild of Large Landowners and Agriculturists who were engaged in many Charitable work in ancient Tamilnadu.

Here the inscription refers to a grant made to பொய்யிலீசுரமுடைய நாயனார், the deity of Ponmar. 

 

Events

1. A Vijayanagar Inscription of Devaraya reveals that eight house sites were lost by the people engaged in facilitating the worship in the temple (ஸ்தானத்தார்).  Alternate house sites were given to them in another street.  

2. Reduction of taxes by Veera Pandian levied on the weavers due to their inability to pay them perhaps due to higher rates

3. Many people had come together to make a decision on a donation at Gangaikondan Thirumandapam in the 13^th century. Damaged and incomplete inscription commences with the verse Dandisvaran Olai. Seems to record a provision for some services to the deity Virabadhra in the Temple of Udaiyar, Sirreri Udaya Nayanar of Madambakkam by the assembly consisting of the Virabadhras of several mandalas and certain Pillais of 79 nadu and other divisions, having met at Gangaikondan Thirumandapam. 13th century characters.

4. One fragmentary inscription refers to some arrangement made by an assembly of the Rudra Sri Maheswaras in connection with the lands probably in Uttippakkam, an agaram in Irandaayiravelipparru, Kumuli nadu and Pungeri alias Arasanarayana Chaturvedimangalam, belonging to the deities Kayilasamudaiya Nayanar, Thiruvagattiswaramudaiya Nayanar, and Poyyiliswaramudaiya Nayanar. Also seems to refer to an agreement by Ayyana Pillais. Maheswaras, Taanattar and Niyayathaar. Also mentions Pottappi Marayar of the village.

There are a quite a few inscriptions of Vijayanagara King Mallikarjuna Maharaya, son of Devaraya II ruled till 1465.

It is interesting that the term ஆயிரம்வேலிப்பற்று, இரண்டாயிரம்வேலிப்பற்று  are employed referring to large land holdings.  

I am searching for references to this temple from the British records and shall update the blog when I can find them.

Looking at the temples through the Prism of information and data from various centuries help us appreciate the thoughts and efforts that had been given by our ancestors.

It makes us value the temples and our deities and treat them as the priceless heritage they are.

வேதமும் நாடி நின்றது ஓர் மாயா அதீத மனோலயம்

தரு நாதா பன்னிரு புய வேளே .....

மாடையம்பதி வாழ்வே தேவர்கள் பெருமாளே

-              ----- மாடம்பாக்கம் திருத்தலத்தில் அருணகிரிநாதர் திருப்புகழ்

 

 Footnote – Inscriptions at Madambakkam

2.     ARIE No 318/1911 -  Era - Chola - Vira Rajendra -  Donation of 20 veli of land Puliyur Kottathu, Nedunkunra Naattu Maadampakkam signed by a feudatory King Panchanadhi Vaanan Neelagangairayan. Also mentions various other lands and taxes to be used for the maintenance of the temple

 

3.     ARIE No 319/1911  - Era - Vijayanagar -Virasri Kumara Devaraya -  Records that eight house sites of the sthanathaar being lost to them, fresh sites were provided for, in the street of Kaikkolar. Mentions Sirreri Aaludaya Nayainar at Madanpakkam alias Ulaguyyavandha Chola Chaturvedimangalam in Nedunkundra Nadu, a district of Aayiraveliparru, a sub- division of Puliyur Kottam alias Kulothunga Chola Valanadu, Jayankonda Chola Mandalam.

 

4.     ARIE No 320/1911 – Era Vira Pratapa Sadasiva Maharaya - Incompete and Damaged

5.     ARIE No 321/1911 – Era Raja Raja Deva - Gift of 2 cows for providing curd to the temple of Sirreri Udaya Naayanar at Madambakkam alias Ugaguyya vandha Chola Chaturvedi Mangalam.

 

6.    ARIE No 322/1911  - Era Sadayavarman SundaraPandian - As the existing lands were insufficient, the Mahasabha pledged another 3000 kuzhi of land.  Also had affirmed that if sometime in future, the income becomes insufficient and we need to sell the land, the land shall be sold only to the temple. This was done during the time of KOperunchingan but the inscription had been documented in Pandya times.  Interesting to  see the Eastern boundary of the land mentioned - Vengaivaasal

 

7.    ARIE No 323/1911 – Era Chola - Kulothunga III -  Certain lands in Maduraipakkam village donated as Devadhaanam to Maadampakkam. Certain Taxes  and fines collected from that village were to be remitted to the temple treasury - Oorkaaval kadamai, vetti, arimukkai, kaasu, kadamai, pattadai kutram, Karthigai Pachai kasu, Vettikaasu etc, by the order of Arunagiri Perumal Neelagangaraiyan.

 

8.     ARIE No 324/1911 - Era Vijayanagar - Kumar Kampanna Udayar Son of Bokkanna Udaiyar - Gift of the village of Medanpakkam to the temple by a certain Vittappar, with the permission of the king. A number of Obligations and limitations have been imposed on the temple.

 

9.     ARIE No 325/1911 – Era Sundara Pandian - Damaged. Sale of houses in the Tirumadaivilagam to the temple servants.

 

10.   AR No 188/1961-62 Era 10th century  - Fragmentary. Records the grant of 450 kuli of land for food offerings to God Sirreri Mahadeva by a chief called Rajaraja Jayadhrathan.

11.    AR No 189/1961-62 – Era 10^th Century - Fragmentary. Records the grant of 450 kuli of land for food offerings to the deities of Umaskandasahitar and Nampiraatiyar set up in the temple of Sirreri Mahadeva by a chief named  ….Raajaryan  alias Rajakarpa - Pallavaraiyan who is said to be the father's younger brother ( Sirrappan ) of Jayadrathan mentioned above.

12.   AR No 190/1961-62 - Era 11^th Century - Fragmentary. Seems to mention the boundaries of land. Mentions Manali

13.   AR No 191/1961-62 – Era  Sundara Pandian - Damaged and incomplete. Commences with the verse Dandisvaran Olai. Seems to record a provision for some services to the deity Virabadhra in the Temple of Udaiyar, Sirreri Udaya Nayanar of Madambakkam by the assembly consisting of the Virabadhras of several mandalas and certain Pillais of 79 nadu and other divisions, having met at Gangaikondan Thirumandapam. 13th century characters.

 

14.   AR No 192/1961-62 - Era  Sundara Pandian - The portion at the right end is missing. Records the acceptance of 17 cows and calves for supply of ghee for burning 6 sandhi lamps in the temple by the Bhattas of the temple.

 

15.   AR No 193/1961-62 – Era Vijayanagar- Vira Mallikarjuna Maharaya - The beginning lines are lost. Records assigment of a tax called Idangai vari from places in Chandragiri Rajya as sarvamanya for offerings to the deity of the village by Sanketisamayakkarar.

 

16.   AR No 194/1961-62 – Era Vijayanagar- Vira Mallikarjuna Maharaya - Damaged. Records the grant of levies such as kanikkai, mariyadai, and asuvadi from the village to God Sirreri aludaiya naayanar for the purpose of burning a perpetual lamp and two sandhi lamps by AnnakkalaiyaMahadeva Maharajar. Records that the kaanikkai from the Barber and the person attending to the crematorium into the temple treasury and used for repairs. Mentions a Vimarasa ( Bhimaraja )

 

17.   AR No 195/1961-62 – Era Vijayanagar – SadasivaMaharayar - Fragmentary incomplete and broken.

 

18.   AR No 196/1961-62 – Era Vijayanagar – SadasivaMaharayar - Fragmentary. Mentions Aayiravelipparru. Another fragment in the same place contains the concluding portion of the record.

19.   AR No 197/1961-62 – Era 15^th Century - Fragmentary. Seems to record a grant for the Parivettai to God Sirreri Aaludaiyar. Three more fragments in the same place contain the concluding portions of different records. One of them mentions Arulaala Samayamantri.

 

20.  AR No 198/1961-62 – Era 15^th Century - Fragmentary. Seems to record an order of Vira Pandya refixing the rate of levy payable by the weavers on account of their inability to pay kadamai on their looms. Tani ninru vendra perumaal Velaan was probably the agent of the king.

 

21.   AR No 199/1961-62 – Era Vijayanagar - Fragmentary. Seems to record a grant of land for festivals in a temple at …kirama chaturvedimangalam, Puliyur Kottam. Another fragment containing the concluding portion of the record is seen on top of the above.

 

22.  AR No 200/1961-62 – Era  - Fragmentary. Beginning is lost. Seems to record the reassignment of the lands at ( U) ttippakkam as agaram to the Bhattas as hereto fore by certain authorities. Also records gift of land to the deity, probably of the Pungeri - Agaram as Tirunaamatthukkaani. Further refers to Thiruvidaiyaattam land of God Emperumaan Veerakkali Perumal. Another fragment in the same place seems to be the concluding portion of the record.

 

23.  AR No 201/1961-62 – Era 15^th Century - Fragmentary. Refers to some arrangement made by an assembly of the Rudra Sri Maheswaras in connection with the lands probably in Uttippakkam, an agaram in Irandaayiravelipparru, Kumuli nadu and Pungeri alias Arasanarayana Chaturvedimangalam, belonging to the deities Kayilasamudaiya Nayanar, Thiruvagattiswaramudaiya Nayanar, and Poyyiliswaramudaiya Nayanar. Also seems to refer to an agreement by Ayyana Pillais. Maheswaras, Taanattar and Niyayathaar. Also mentions Pottappi Marayar of the village.

 

24.  AR No 202/1961-62 – Era 15^th Century - Fragmentary. Mentions the Thirukkaavanam named Chitrameli…. Another piece refers to the grants made to the God Poyyiliieswaramudaiya Nayanar and the Bhattas.

 

25.  AR No 203/1961-62 - – Vijayanagar -Mallikarjuna deva - Fragmentary. In two pieces ,one contains the name of the king and the date and the other the concluding portion of the record.

 

26.  AR No 204/1961-62 – Era - Vijayanagar -Mallikarjuna deva - Incomplete. Stops with the date.

 

27.  AR No 205/1961-62 – Era  15^th Century - Fragmentary. Only the latter portion of the inscription is preserved. Records the grant ( details lost) of the village including the house site etc for the purpose of the Ani festival for the deity, golden covering and for repairs to the temple. Some five more fragments in the same place refer to the God and the place Ulaguyya vanda chola chaturvedimangalam in Aayiravelippaarru.

 

28.  AR No 206/1961-62 – Era 15^th Century  - Five fragments, three contain Vijayanagara titles. One refers to Puliyur Kottam and another to the month of Vaikasi.

ஐயபொழில் ஐநூற்றுவர் – And other Ancient Guilds in the Neighbourhood

 

ஐயபொழில் ஐநூற்றுவர் – The Chamber of Commerce of Ancient times

Robust Commercial activities bring prosperity to a country and Tamilnadu had a great tradition of trading - both inland as well as exports.

Trade, Commerce and generation of wealth are not solitary activities. It takes groups of people working effectively in tandem.

So, the Trader communities in Tamilnadu created Trade Bodies that had separate insignia, common goals, and private armies to guard them during their travels.

Apart from the primary goal of generating wealth, they also had a commitment to make donations for the benefit of the society.

There is an inscription at Pozhichalur belonging to the 12 / 13^th century, found in the publication of the TamilNadu State Archaeology Department No 1/1998

Pozhichalur - A Rock opposite to the crematorium contains an inscription by a member of an ancient Trade Body, ஐயபொழில் ஐநூற்றுவர் who existed in the Southern part of Bharat.

Creating a குளம் was one of the important noble deeds of this organisation.

Their insignia consisted of  குத்துவிளக்குகள், கலப்பை, குறுவாள், பசும்பை (a type of bag carried by the traders) which have been engraved in the stone.

A member of this trade body had got this குளம் to be dug and had named it ஐநூற்றுவன் குளம்.

 

Senkanmaal – Era of Maravarman Veera Pandya Deva - ARIE No 227 / 1916

It states that Vaisya and Vaaniya Merchants ( நகரத்தோம் ) of 18 countries subdivisions of those times all of which could be within Tamilnadu) constructed the Alankara Matha for Danmadaavala Kuttar in the temple of Senkanmaaliswaramudaiya Naayanaar. at Thaiyur also known as Rajakesarinallur in Kumuzhi Nadu, a subdivision of Amur Kottam, JayankondaCholamandalam and set apart certain tolls to it for other connected works.

  

Kovalam - ARIE No 10 / 1934 – 35 at Kovalam Kailasanatha Swami Temple - Registers the grant of a portion of the cess due to the donor as Pattanasvami - suvandiram on arecanuts, tamarind and other commodities Karppulukku Nalla Settiyar son of Nallulaar Pattanasvami Nachchamma Settiyar for worship and offerings in the temple of Kailasanatha at Kovalam - Pattanam, which was under the jurisdiction of Obaachchi Amman.

Pattanaswami is the name by which the leader of a trade body was known.

 சித்திரமேழி பெரியநாட்டார் - A Guild of Agriculturists

1.      At Madambakkam, AR No 202/1961-62 – Era 15^th Century - Fragmentary inscription, Mentions the Thirukkaavanam named Chitrameli…. Another piece refers to the grants made to the God Poyyiliieswaramudaiya Nayanar and the Bhattas.

A காவணம் according to the Tamil dictionary could mean a Grove or a shed with a flat roof.

சித்திரமேழி என்பது, புனிதமாக, அலங்கரிக்கப்பட்ட அழகிய ஏர்கலப்பை.

There was a Guild of Large Landowners and Agriculturists who were engaged in many Charitable works in ancient Tamilnadu.

Here the inscription refers to a grant made to பொய்யிலீசுரமுடைய நாயனார், the deity of Ponmar.  

Periya Irumbedu  Village – ARIE 100 / 1932-33 – A Slab on the Street – Era Vijayanagar Empire

States that the village of Irumpedu alias Chitrameli Chaturvedimangalam was a tax-free gift of the Naattars

This slab had survived all the earlier destructions until 1932. 

Thirukkachchur  ARIE No 261 / 1909 - Era – Chola Rajadhiraja II

A 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 dharmam.

This Inscription establishes, that people engaged in a similar vocation had formed a unit, and that members assembled to conduct meetings and collective decisions were made.  

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.

One Samayanaraya Tamilavelaan is stated to have written this on the orders of the Nayara (members of the above-mentioned assembly).

Aamoor - An Enigma

 

It is intriguing that a place, referenced to denote the location of the great Mahabalipuram, and many other temples in the Chola inscriptions, could become so diminished in stature, at the time when the British arrived.

Prof E Hultzsch, in the Book South Indian Inscriptions published in 1890 mentions the Chola inscriptions at the South and the North Base of the Shore Temple, Mahabalipuram.

According to these inscriptions, Mamallapuram formed part of ஆமூர் நாடு, a subdivision of ஆமூர் கோட்டம்.

 Both this district and subdivision were named after the present village of Aamoor near Mamallapuram.

Few other temples part of Aamoor Kottam as per inscriptions are -

Kaayaaru

Senkanmal

Sirudavur

Thirupporur

Details of the inscriptions are given as a footnote. **

 

The antiquity of Aamoor could go back to even earlier times.

In the Sangam literature சிறுபாணாற்றுப்படை, poet இடைக்கழிநாட்டு நல்லூர் நத்தத்தனார்  mentions the places எயிற்பட்டிணம், and ஆமூர்  to reach the palace of King  நல்லியக்கோடன் who was an artist and a great Patron. His country was ஒய்மாநாடு  generally understood to be around திண்டிவனம்.

There is a general consensus on எயிற்பட்டிணம்  being மரக்காணம்,  but ஆமூர் is still debated. 

Since, in the ancient times, travelling along the coast was easier, a distance of just about 70 kms from Marakkanam to Aamoor gives rise to an enticing possibility!!

The Road to Obscurity

The Vijayanagar / Nayaka era inscriptions had continued to mention Aamoor Kottam.  Therefore, there are strong possibilities that instability after the fall of the Vijayanagar Empire, and continuous attacks and battles that followed, might have caused the ruin.

The British Gazetteer mentions the devastating effects of Hyder Ali’s invasion in 1780 in the Chengalpattu region and records that after the war, massacres and successive calamities in 1784, many places had become devoid of human habitation. Many had to give up their lands for a month’s subsistence or less.

https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/A_Gazetteer_of_Southern_India/AbYBAAAAYAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1

Slab in front of Vigneswara Temple – Inscription Classified as Chola – ARIE No 80 /1933-34

Seems to record repairs to the big tank at Amur by a certain Kumanan. An inscription in another slab in the same place - Aamur alias Subramanya - Chaturvedimangalam was a tiruvidaiyaattam of Perumal Arulaalanatha

It is sad that in a place of such importance, its ancient temples could not survive.

**Footnote - Inscriptions

**Kaayaaru – ARIE No 440 / 1922 - Begins with the intro - thirumagal Pola…Registers the land of sale by the assembly of Kaayaar in Kumuli Nadu - Aamoor Kottam to senneelathulaan Maaran Singan who set apart the land for burning the perpetual lamp to the God Aaderideva.

Senkanmal - ARIE No 225 / 1916 Records that a village separated from Araiyanseri in Senkazhuneerpattu, together with the proceeds on 10 salt pans were given for the worship and repairs to the temple of Senkanmaaleswaramudaiya nayinar at Rajakesarinallur alias Taiyur in Ayiraveliparru, a division of Kumuzhi Nadu in Amoor Kottam by Sellappar Viranarasimha Naayakar son of Thazhuvakkuzhaidhaan Bhatta.

ARIE No 226 / 1916 Registers a sarvamaanya grant of certain taxes by the king, for worship and repairs of the temple of Sengalmaaleesuramaiya Nayinar at Rajakesarinallur alias Taiyur in Ayiraveliparru of Amoor Kottam, Jayamkonda cholamandalam. The order regarding the grant was issud by Somaya Dennayaka in accoordance with the written order of Rajanarayanan Sambuvaraiyar

Sirudavur -    ARIE No 82 / 1933-34 Aamoor Kottathu, Aamoor Naattu, NagasingaChaturvedhimangalam - Old name - Donation of land by Thagadoornaatu Aazhvaan

Thiruporur -  ARIE No 120 / 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

ARIE No 122 / 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

Something curious about Ponmar

 

Ponmar is seeing fast growth in recent years.

So fast that people pay little heed to the blue ASI boards marking its numerous megalithic Cairn Circles.

The Sakthipureeswarar Temple has two inscriptions recorded from the Vijayanagar Era – Sadasivarayar

ARIE No 17/ 1934-35

Jayamkonda Cholamandalathu Puliyur Kottathu Kaalvaai Naattu Thyagavinodha Nallooraana Ponmaaru- the village of Poyilicheri given as donation for the worship of Poyileeswaramudaiya Naayanar and Veerabhdhra Naayanaar

The neighbouring village is called Polacheri. That Hoysolas had once ruled over a good part of Thondai Mandalam makes one curious about this name!

ARIE No 18 / 1934-35 dated 16-17^th century.

Records that Amanerikkulam near the temple was desilted by Maambakkam Chinnaa Chetty's son Vedagiri

Sakthipureeswarar Temple has recently seen renovations. Some old stone and broken pieces seen around the temple a few years ago are no longer seen.

Siddhar Temple

A smaller shrine at the northern side of the temple outside its recently constructed boundary wall is generally known as the Siddhar Temple.

As late as 2013, it was a pile of stones with a huge tree encompassing the structure. The Shivalingam and the small sannidhi were not quite approachable.

It has since been renovated and is said to be the Jeevasamadhi of a Siddhar.  The sight of the big beautiful Kulam filled with Lotus flowers is a blessing.

ThyagaVinodha Perumal Temple.

The Perumal Temple that was in a sadly dilapidated state a decade ago has seen enthusiastic renovation and has been consecrated as ThyagaVinodha Perumal Temple in 2023.

Incidentally, according to some scholars,  ThyagaVinodhan was a title held by Kulothunga Chola III.

The Chola connect to Ponmar is found in the Thiruvottriyur Temple !!

An inscription at the North wall of the Adhipuriswarar Sannidhi, Thiruvottriyur Temple has an interesting reference to Ponmar.

ARIE No 125 / 1912 is an unfinished inscription. It shares the following information:

It refers to a certain Pugalvaanaiyan of Karuvili / Kuruvili in Milalai-Kurram in Pandi Nadu, who received from the King, while the king was encamped at that place, the Chieftainship of Ponmaru in Kalavay Nadu, a sub – division of Puliyur Kottam in Jayankonda Chola Mandalam , a division of Tondai – Mandalam.

The King while being encamped in the Pandya country, had called one of the chiefs named Kuruvili Pugalvaanayan and ordered him to accept the chieftainship of Ponmaaru in Tondaimandalam. 

He accepted the offer and coming to Ponmaaru found in the village a few traitors to the king ( Rajadrohins). As the record is unfinished, we are not in a position to find what was done to these traitors.

One of the reasons for sending a native of the Pandya Country to rule over a village of the Tondai, was evidently the disturbance caused by the traitors whom the new Chief must have eventually expelled from the village.

Ponmaaru must have been a village of certain importance in the times of the Chola King Kulothunga III to warrant his attention and subsequent action.

Inscription ( ARIE No 52/1932-33)  at Thirukkacchur mentions the  Existence of Thyavinodha ThiruMadam in the temple of Thirukkachchur. It 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.

The British East India Company Survey of 1767-1774, lists houses of every பண்டாரம் and திருமடம் at திருப்போரூர்.

 In the list is the house of Ponmaru Chinniyar Pandaram - பொன்மாறு சின்னியர் பண்டாரம் வீடு.

Perahps a functioning திருமடம் had existed in Thirupporur even in the 1770s.