Devapiran Temple, (Irattai Tirupati Temple),
Tholavillimangalam, Thoothukudi – History
There
are six inscriptions in the temple deciphered by the Archaeological Department.
The inscription from a ruler named Konerimaikondan records a gift of
five velis of land as a tax free gift to the temple. The temple also
obtained grant for building and maintenance of a garden from a ruler who
defeated the Cheras. The Pandya ruler Jatavarman Kulasekaran I (1190–1216 CE) also offered a similar grant to the
temple.
Maravarman Sundara Pandyan (1216–1238) made offerings to perpetual lighting
of the temple. An inscription from his reign also indicates the installation of
the shrine of Karunthadankanni. Vira Pandyan IV (1309–1345) offered land to the temple to perform
special poojas in the temple during his birthday in the Tamil month of Vaikasi.
During
1801, the temple acted as a fort for the British against the forces of Veerapandiya Kattabomman (1790-99). It is believed that the marks of war
were visible in the temple during modern times. An official of the Madurai
Nayak rule, Vadamalayappa Pillai arranged for the installation of Dasavathara
images and Thiruvenkamudayan hall. There were also lot of offerings in jewels
and kind made to the temple during his period. There were other people like
Pillai Perumal, Ellarukum Nallan and Chockalingam, who made similar grants. The
wooden chariots with minute sculptures were installed by Paramasivan Pillai
during modern times.
