This
cluster with its temples and places has an interesting and fascinating history. Evidences of its ancient Pallava times are few, but all the
dynasties who exercised power over this region – the Cholas, Rashtrakutas,
Vijayanagar emperors, Nayakas and various feudatories have contributed in various ways as per the
inscriptions available.
A Larger
town of those times now lies fragmentated. A few temples have survived over the
centuries despite attacks from invaders, thanks to the untiring efforts of the devotees who never gave up over
the centuries.
Maanampathy
is situated about 12 kms from Thirupporur on the Thirupporur - Thirukkazhukunram Road.
Acharavakkam
Acharavakkam
is about ½ half a kilometer from Maanampathy.
Agasteeswarar
temple is from the Era of Nrupatunga Pallava - ( 865 – 906 CE) – ARIE No 108 / 1933-34
It
records a Registration of Land as Archanabhoga to Agattiarittevar by a certain
Sankan after purchase.
This inscription
establishes the existence of this temple since the Pallava times.
“Atcharvakum, 56 miles from Madras, population of 1076, is a well-known halting place for European and Native travellers on the Great Southern Trunk Road. “
Agaram
is about 7 kilometers from Maanaampathy.
ARIE
No 232 / 1932-33 records that Rajendra Chola created the village Vaanmangai with 4000 brahmanas
settled here to recite vedas and run schools. It came to be known as
Vaanavanmaadevi Chaturvedimangalam. Also
refers to the God Athirai Vitanka and the quarter known as Aathira Vilaagam
The
name shortened to Vaanmathy and then has transformed to Maanaampathy!
Damaged
and Fragmentary Inscription No ARIE No 235 / 1932-33
Also mentions the temple of Kailasanatha at Vanavanmahadevi and Rajendra Chola deva
I
Era
– Kulothunga Chola I - ARIE No 233 /
1932-33
Begins
with Pugazhmaadhu …the meikeerthi of Kulothunga Chola I, it Registers gift
of land by purchase from the assembly of Vaanavanmahadevi Chaturvedimangalam in
Kumizhi nadu, Aamur Kottam, by a resident of Kalanivaayil in Tiruvalundur Nadu in Rajaraja Valanadu
ARIE
No 234 / 1932-33
Fragmentary
inscription, seems to register a gift of land for repairs to the temple of
Kailasanatha at Kailasamoolai Agaram
A
slab set up in the village of Agaram - Era Vijayanagar – Ventaka Maharaya - ARIE No 236 / 1932-33
Seems to
record the gift of the village Kailasamoolai alias Agaram in Panaimulai Seermai
in Thirukkazhukunra Parru to the temple of Kandaswami at Seyyur.
Maanampathy
Thirukkara Iswara Temple – This temple appears to have faced violence at
some point and restored later.
Era
of Vikrama Chola ARIE No 213 / 1930 -31
Begins
with his Meikeerthi, Poomaalai Midaindhu etc. Seems to register sale of land to
the temple at Thirukkarapuram by Thiruchchirrambala Muvendhavelan, stones are lost.
Era
of Sambuvarayar - ARIE No 214 / 1930 -31
Fragment
that seems to record an order of Sambuvaraya.
ARIE
No 215 / 1930 -31
Registers
a gift of a lamp by Gunamenmai Sambandan, the headman of Tattamadai
ARIE
No 216 / 1930 -31
Registers
a gift of tax-free land in the village of Vaanavanmaadevi, a quarter of
Thirukkalukunram to the temple of Thirukkarapuramudaiya Naayanar for offerings,
repairs etc.
Other
Chola Era inscriptions
ARIE
No 219 / 1930 -31
Registers
gift of lamp to the temple of Thirukkarapuradeva at Kalakaattur and the village
of Mangalaveri for maintenance
ARIE
No 220 / 1930 -31
Registers
the sale of land to Araiyan Thillaikuttan alias Rajaraja Naadaalvan by the Ooraar of Kalakaattur.
Mentions the temples of Thiruvagastisvaram Udaiyar, Kaadugal and Saattan.
ARIE
No 222 / 1930 -31
Gift of
sheep for a lamp to the temple of Thirukkarapurattaazlvaar by Madurantaka
Muppadi Iladharajan
Era
– Raja Raja Chola I - ARIE No 223 / 1930 -31
Damaged,
commences with kalamarutharuli etc Mentions Kalakaattur and Agastisvaradeva
ARIE
No 225 / 1930 -31
Fragment
that mentions the temple of Thirukkarapurathu deva
ARIE
No 228 / 1930 -31
Fixes
the rates of taxes to be paid by the Kaikolars and the Karumars settling in the
new street in the southern side of the temple Tirukkarapuramudaiya Nayinar
after granting remission on looms for the first three years.
ARIE
No 229 / 1930 -31
Registers
gift of cows for lamps in the Era of Vikrama Chola
Sambuvarayar
ARIE No
214 / 1930 -31 is a Fragment that seems to record an order of Sambuvaraya.
Koperunjinga
ARIE
No 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
Rashtrakuta
king – Kannara Deva
ARIE No
224 / 1930 -31 – relates to gift of a lamp. Kannara Deva known as Krishna III
ruled between 937 – 967 CE. In his inscription at Thiruvidanthai, (ARIE No 270
/ 1910) he calls himself as one who conquered Kachchi and Thanjai. A good number of his inscriptions are found
in Chengalpattu district.
Era
of Vijayanagar / Nayaka
ARIE
No 226 / 1930 -31
Mentions
the allayam collected in the Wednesday fair to the temple of Selva Vinayaka, by
Kumudharasar for the merit of Vaiyappa Nayaka, the agent of Venkatadri Nayaka
ARIE
No 227 / 1930 -31
Seems to
Register gift of a house - site - Mahamandaleeswara Basavadeva Maharaja
mentioned.
ARIE
No 230 / 1930 -31
A person
from Sivapuram had done the Construction of Maha mandapa in the third prakara of the temple and the Muka Mandapam
Deeper research as to how, when and why this significant place lost its importance in
the next centuries is warranted.
The British era Gazatteer speaks about the wars of the 1700s, damage to crops and water sources and people selling off their lands for a pittance and leaving in search of a livelihood.
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