Jambunatheshwarar Temple, Jambai, Villupuram
In Tamil, this temple is called Thanthondreeswarar temple. This
Shiva temple was built by Cholas during 10th century. The temple walls contain full
of Tamil Vattezhuttu inscriptions of Cholas. This place was under Rashtrakuta rule during the mid
10th century, the statues of Lord Muruga, Jyestha Devi, Kalabairavar, Durga
belonging to Rashtrakuta architecture, are found inside the temple. Since the
temple become very old and damaged, reconstruction works are carried by local people
of Jambai now.
Legends
According to the local tradition, there was pond where
the Jambunatha temple is found at present and the main deity (linga) was formed
on its own in this pond. When the sage saw this linga in the pond he took the
form of a fish and entered the pond to lordship the linga. Hence he came to be
called Valaimamani and this village should have derived the name Valaiyur in
memory of the sage. Later it got the name Jambai during Chalukya Chola period.
Deity
Though the inscriptions of this temple mention the name
of the principal deity as Tantorniswarar, He local people call the deity as
Jambuskewarar, Initially the name should have been pronounced as Sambukeswarar
meaning the Lord Siva who bestow happiness and the village where the temple of
Sambukeswarar located come to be called as Sambai.
Inscriptions
This Temple is rich in its Epigraphical values. Lot of
inscriptions can be found here from all the leading dynasties of Tamil country.
There are totally five inscription of Kopperunjingan in this temple raining
from 1253-1258 C.E. They mention about the gifts and endowments made to the
temple by him and officials.
Some of the Inscriptions are listed below;
Parantaka
I
No. 107
(Page No 96)
(A. R.
No. 107 of 1906)
South
Arcot District, Tirukkoyilur Taluk, Jambai
Jambunatha
Temple-On A Stone Lying On the Floor Close To The
South
Wall Of The Same Shrine Parantaka I – Date Lost.
This is a mere fragment of
an inscription which seems to refers to a gift of land for (the worship of) the
goddess Jyeshta stationed on the side of the tank.
No. 108
(Page No 96)
(A. R.
No. 108 of 1906)
South
Arcot District, Tirukkoyilur Taluk, Jambai
Jambunatha
Temple-On a Slab Built Into the Floor
At The
Second Entrance
Parantaka
I – 34th Year (A.D. 940-41)
The inscription is much
damaged. It seems to record the construction of a Mandapa (in the temple)
by Viranaraniyar the consort of prince Gandaraditya and daughter (in law) of
Solamadeviyar in the name of the Nagarattar of Valaiyur, and an endowment of
seventy Kalanju of gold by that body by levy of tax for its Upkeep and for
burning a lamp in it during the nights with the interest there on.
No. 111
(Page No 97)
(A. R.
No. 111 of 1906)
South
Arcot District, Tirukkoyilur Taluk, Jambai
Jambunatha
Temple-On the Wall of the Gopura (At The
First
Entrance, Right Side)
Parantaka
I – 35th Year (A.D. 941-42)
The inscription is badly
engraved. It seems to record an endowment of land at Kadambur by (the
palace accountant?) Sri Pondaiyudaiyan . . . . . ... For the daily requirements
of worship in the temple (name lost).
No. 115
(Page No 100)
(A. R.
No. 115 Of 1906)
South
Arcot District, Tirukkoyilur Taluk, Jambai
Jambunatha
Temple-In The Same Place Parantaka I – Date Lost.
This is mutilated fragment
recording some provision made for the sacred bath of the god [on Sankranti
days] in the temple of Tantonrippiran at Valaiyur.
No. 117
(Page No 101)
(A. R.
No. 117 Of 1906)
South
Arcot District, Tirukkoyilur Taluk, Jambai
Jambunatha
Temple-In the Same Place
This is also, like No. 116
above, made up of two fragmentary pieces found separately engraved. It is
incomplete. It seems to record some gift for burning a perpetual lamp
before the image of Vidividangar (processional image) in the Temple of Tantonrippiran
at Valaiyur by one Aiyarradigal, the headman of Iraiyankudi.
No. 121
(Page No 102)
(A. R.
No. 121 Of 1906)
South
Arcot District, Tirukkoyilur Taluk, Jambai
Jambunatha
Temple-In The Same Place Parantaka I – Date Lost.
This is mutilated.
It records a gift of 50 Kalanju of gold for burning 5 perpetual lamps in the
temple of Tantonriyalvar by the San [arappadiyar] of Valaiyur.
No.
124 (Page No 103)
(A. R.
No. 124 Of 1906)
South
Arcot District, Tirukkoyilur Taluk, Jambai
Jambunatha
Temple- In the Same Place
Parantaka
I – 33rd Year (A.D. 939-40)
This is fragmentary.
It seems to record a gift of money for a perpetual lamp in the temple by one
Sadaiyan Eluvan, who probably deposited the amount with the Nagarattar of
Valaiyur.