Shikanathar Temple Complex,
Kudumiyanmalai – History
Shikanathar Temple:
The original sanctum and ardha
mandapa could have been built during 10th century CE by the Cholas. They
were renovated by the Pandyas in 13th century CE, Vijayanagara Kingdom in
15th century CE and Nayakas in 17th century CE. Most of the Chola
inscriptions (9th – 10th century CE) were found in the walls of the
second prakara. There were no Chola inscriptions found in the
main shrine. The absence of the Chola inscriptions in the sanctum
might be due to the remodeling of the
temple during the reign of Maravarman Sundara Pandya.
The
temple was called as Melakoil / Thirumulattanam / Thirumetrali,
Lord was called as Perumanadigal / Mahadevar / Paramesvarar / Kundridan Konda
Nayanar and the hill was called as Tirunalakkunaram in the inscriptions. The
village started being referred as Shikanallur from 12th century CE because
of the Shikanathar
Temple. The present name Kudumiyanmalai was first mentioned in a 17th century
CE inscription of Mallappa Pallavarayar. There are few inscriptions found on
the rajagopuram of this
temple.
Five of the inscriptions are in
the praise of a Pandya King and rest are in praise of a Bana chief. One of the
inscription is attributed to the famous poet Pugazhendi. Inscriptions recording
the Vijayanagara King Vira Kampana Udaiyar and Vijayanagara Viceroy, Gopa Timma
of the Saluva dynasty can be found in the
temple premises. Sivendezhunta Pallavarayar of Perungalur, an ardent
devotee of Lord Shiva had extensively renovated this
temple. He added gopurams, mandapams, flower gardens, groves and
temple cars to this
temple.
Rock Cut Cave Temple:
The
cave temple might have been excavated by the Pandyas in 7th century
CE based on the architectural style and the grantha inscription found in the
temple. There is no clear foundational inscription attributing to any of the
dynasties. Few scholars believe that this
cave temple was built by the Pallavas as the famous musical
inscription near the cave shrine is clearly dated to Mahendra Pallava I. The
other earliest inscription found in this
temple belonged to Varaguna Pandya I (756 – 815 CE). This
inscription is dated to the 23rd regnal year of Varaguna Pandya I.
This inscription confirms the
existence of the
rock cut cave temple around the end of the 8th century
CE. Most of the Chola inscriptions (9th – 10th century CE) were
found in this
temple. The maha mandapa in front of the
cave temple was built by Raghunatharaya Thondaiman (1686 – 1730
CE). The steps leading to the maha mandapa was built by Vijaya Raghunatharaya
Thondaiman (1730 – 1769 CE). His chief military officer, Raghunatha Servaikar,
son of Lingappa Servaikar, dug the tank to the north of the temple known as
Sengalanirodai, and built steps on its banks.
Pachai Thondaiman was against
the succession of Vijaya Raghunatha Raya in 1730 CE. He took shelter within the
walls of the
temple and was besieged by the forces of Vijaya Raghunatha Raya
until he surrendered. Vijaya Raghunatha Raya was crowned in this
temple. The mandapam in front of the Bhairava shrine was built by
Ramaswamy Iyer, the Karbar of the Pudukkottai State. King Ramachandra
Thondaiman performed a kumbabhishekam in 1865 CE.
Malai Mangai / Soundara Nayagi Shrine:
This shrine was constructed by a
Devadasi named Umayalvi Periyanachi, daughter of Thugaiyandi Durgai Aandar
during 13th century CE. An inscription dated to the 11th regnal year
of the Pandya King Jadavarman Virapandya in 13th century CE records that
the village Melmananallur was gifted by Jadavarman Virapandya I to the shrine
for its maintenance. He made this endowment from Karaiyur in Konadu division to
this shrine constructed by Umayalvi Periyanachi. The deity was called as
Tirukkamakkottathu Nachiyar Aruvudai Malaimangai as per the inscriptions. The
temple property was auctioned in 13th century CE. Umayalvi Periyanachi
brought the auctioned property for 73,300 gold coins and transferred the
ownership back to the
temple. Later, she built the Malai Mangai shrine.
Akhilandeshwari Shrine:
The sanctum and the ardha
mandapa of this shrine is said to have been older than the
present Shikanathar shrine. The vimana could have been in 13th century
CE by the Later Pandyas.
Murugan Temple:
The temple was constructed in 13th century
CE by the Later Pandyas.
Jain Vestiges:
Kudumiyamalai was an important
Jaina center in the early 2nd century CE. Rock cut beds for the Jain monks
can be found in a natural cavern on the south western side of the main hill. A
Brahmi inscription dated to 2nd century CE can be found in this cavern. It
records that the rock cut beds were excavated by Korrantay of Nalai.
Inscriptions:
For brief details, please refer
below link;
https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2015/12/kudumiyanmalai-inscriptions.html
