Monday, March 19, 2018

Kalamega Perumal Temple, Thirumohoor – History

Kalamega Perumal Temple, Thirumohoor – History
The temple is more than 2000 years old and has been referred to in akananuru, Padhitrupathu, Maduraikkanchi and also in one of the five great epics of Tamil literatureSilapathikaram. Inscriptions revels that a king called Pazhayan built a fort and ruled the region. Sangam literature details about this place being prosperous during the time. The documentation from Ptolemy (c. AD 100 – c.170) also refers to this place. Inscription from the temple - South Outer wall's inside - Archaeological report on Epigraphy - 330 of 1918 - and Tamil Nadu State Archaeology's Madurai District Inscriptions - Vol. I - page no. 229 - Sl. no. 141 of 2003 - identifies the builder of the temple as Kaala Megam alias Kangeyan during the reign of Sadaiya Varman Sundara Pandiyan (Later Pandiya king) in his regnal year 7 + 1 (i.e. after the 7th year was over and the eighth year was in progress) which is identified as AD 1259.
This inscription besides identifying the above speaks of an endowment of ponds and adjoining areas duly specifying the boundaries of the land. The current structure is believed to have been built by the Madurai Nayaks. During the later part, there were additions made by the Marudu brothers, whose images are also housed in the temple. Thirumohur was an impregnable fort during the period of British. During the Carnatic Wars, there was an attempt made by a Muslim general, but it was repulsed by the local devotees. The inscriptions from the period of Nayaks have been recorded by the Archaeological survey.