Saturday, July 23, 2016

Sundaravarada Perumal Temple, Uthiramerur, Kanchipuram - History

Sundaravarada Perumal Temple, Uthiramerur, Kanchipuram - History
Uthiramerur was ruled by the PallavasCholasPandyasSambuvarayas, Vijayanagara Rayas and Nayaks. As per the inscriptions in the temple, the Pallava king Nandivarman II (720–796 CE) established the village around 750 A.D. It is believed that he donated the village to Vedic Brahmins from Srivaishanva community. There is a mention about four Pallava kings up to 900 AD. There are a total of 25 inscriptions from the Pallava period.
The temple was built by Nandivarman II modeled from the Vaikuntanatha Perumal temple in Kanchipuram. From the inscriptions, it is also learnt that the temple was built according to agamic principles by the architect Takshaka of Pataka and with expert consultation with the agamics in the village. The Cholas captured the region and it came under their dominion during the latter part of 9th century.
There are inscriptions from the period of Parantaka Chola I (907–950), Rajaraja Chola I (985–1014), Rajendra Chola I (1012–1044) and Kulothunga Chola I (1070–1120) indicating various gifts to the temples. The process of democratically electing the local representatives through a system called Kudavolai during the Chola regime is documented in the inscriptions.
The region and the village went under the sway of Pandyas during the 13th century and subsequently to the Telugu Chola ruler Vijaya Gandagopala. He renamed the village of Gandagopala Chaturvedhi Mangalam. During the latter period, the village switched hands to Pallava chieftains, Telugu Cholas, Samburavarayars and finally Kumara Kampana.
The Vijayanagara emperor Krishnadevaraya (1502–29) made contributions to the Sundaravarada temple, Shubramanya temple and Kailasanatha temple in the village. The village was the scene of war between Lingma and Yachama during the 17th century. The Carnatic Wars were fought in the nearby Vandavasi between the British and the French during the 18th century. The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamilnadu.
Based on the inscriptions, the temple has been addressed by many names, like Vellai Vishnugraham, Vellai Murthi Emperan, Vellaimurthi Azhwar, Rajendra Chola Vinnagar Azhwar and Sokka Perumal. In fact, our current constitution and governance model is said to have been modelled on the framework created by Parantaka Chozhan in 10th Century AD. Unfortunately, though, the disqualification criteria seem to have been given a serious pass by the Indian Electorate.
While the inscription leads one to believe that this was a 8th Century AD temple built by Nandi Varma Pallava, the construction materials used here raises the question if this actually was built much earlier, possibly in the 6th Century AD. Uthira Merur’s Sundara Varadar temple has been built using a mix of Karungal (base of the temple), red bricks and Lime (Tier 2 and 3).
Most of the temples built around the 9th/10th Century AD are ones built largely out of Karungal, while the 6th Century AD temples in Tamil Nadu were built with Karungal, red bricks and other materials. Hence it is quite possible that the construction of this temple may have actually started in the 6th Century AD and not 8th Century AD. However, there are no inscriptions confirming this Story.
As seen above, Pallava king Nandi Varma Pallava was responsible for the creation of Uthiramerur and the Varadar temple. Chozhas, who succeeded the Pallavas here, can be credited with pioneering the ‘Process of Assembly Elections’ in India. Inscription that can be found here provide insights into the constitutional framework that was in vogue at that time. The Chozha king Rajendra Chozha 1 also visited Uthiramerur and made significant contributions to the Sundara Varadar temple.
Contributions were also made during the reign of Raja Raja Chozha. The Great Vijayanagara king Krishnadeva Raaya, who had a special liking for Vaishnavite temples, is said to have visited this place and made liberal contributions to the Uthiramerur Perumal koil. This was also said to be a ‘Thulabharam Koil’ and Thulabharam was said to be a common feature at this temple.  Belief is that one who does a simple 48 day Pradakshanam at this temple will have all his wishes fulfilled.
Thiru Mangai Azhvaar:
Thiru Mangai Azhvaar has praised in ten verses Lord Vaikunta Varadan and this has been currently credited to Parameswara Vinnagara (Divya Desam) in Kanchipuram. It is quite possible that Thiru Mangai may actually have sung praise of the Uthiramerur Varadar and his reference in the Paasuram of ‘Vaikunta Varadar’ and ‘Kachi’ may actually be of Vaikunta Varadar at Uthiramerur alongside the Varadar at Parameswara Vinnagaram in Kanchipuram.
Several centuries ago, when Kanchipuram was the capital of the Pallavas, all the towns in this region may have been referred to by the Azhvaars in a generic address as ‘Kachi’, even when he was singing praise of different forms of Vishnu, in this Pallava Kingdom. There is a 3 ½- 4 feet idol of Thirumangai Azhvaar at this temple. It is difficult to believe that Thiru Mangai would not have visited Uthiramerur and that he would not have been lured by the Nava Murthy here.