Friday, April 13, 2018

Lakshmi Narasimhar Temple, Narasingapuram – Inscriptions

Lakshmi Narasimhar Temple, Narasingapuram – Inscriptions
Though the architecture in the temple made one think that it belonged to the Vijayanagar period, there are inscriptions dating back to the reign of Chola kings Kulottunga Chola I and Vikrama Chola. There are in all 14 inscriptions — seven in the sanctum sanctorum of the Lakshmi Narasimha Perumal shrine, six in what remains of the basement of the Andal shrine and one at the entrance of the Rajagopuram. Of these, archaeologists consider those in the Andal shrine basement as more ancient and belonging to the period of Kulothunga Chozha I and Vikrama Chozha I. They speak about their constructing the Madurantaka Vinnagar temple in Madurantaka Nallur (the present Madurantakam) and installing the idols of Rama, Sita and Lakshmana in it and the grants made by them for the daily conduct of poojas.
The Chola inscriptions stands evidence that the temple even survived the Saivism wave that took effect under the Cholas in the early period like many other important Vaishnavite temples that survived it in South India in the early period. The 12 stone inscriptions that are found in the temple dates back to the Vijayanagar period describe about the glorious past of temple and the Emperors. Most of the inscriptions belong to the reign of Emperor Achutha Deva Maharaya describing about the donations and renovating construction led by his government at the temple. In those five important inscriptions belong to the years of A.D. 1533, 1534 and 1536 which are some of the important years of his rule.
Emperor Achutha Deva Maharaya is the younger brother of Krishna Devaraya whose reign was considered to be the golden period of south Indian history. One inscription belongs to the reign of Venkatapathy Deva Maharaya describing about his esteemed work for the temple. It dates back to the year 1608 and also considered to be the latest inscription to be found in the temple premises. All these inscriptions are in Sanskritised Telugu which is still a local language prevailing in the surrounding areas of Narasingapuram.
The inscriptions of the Vijayanagar kings belong to the reign of Achutha Deva Maharayar and Veeravenkatapathy Rayar. They mention that Theertharapillai gifted the village of Periya Puliyara or Narasimhapuram to Brahmins so that they could live there and look after the temple. Another inscription says that various gifts were made to Brahmins to recite Vedas for the welfare of Narasanaicker, father of Achuthadeva Rayar.
An old inscription in the Lakshmi Narasimha temple which describes about the establishment of the presiding deity’s Urchavar idol Prahaladha Purandhara that is named after the lord’s Avathaar purport says “Narasinga Perumal temple is situated in the village of Narasa Nayakar Puram that is nearby Coovum (age old Chola era Shaivite temple village) and under the jurisdiction of the Jayamkonda Chola Mandalam of Chandragiri kingdom’s southernmost part. The name of Narasa Nayakar Puram has become Narasingapuram in the later period because of colloquial reference of the village to the temple and its deity.