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Saturday, January 9, 2016

Mahalingeswarar Temple, Thiruvidaimarudur – Inscriptions

Mahalingeswarar Temple, Thiruvidaimarudur – Inscriptions
There are total of 159 inscriptions associated with the templeThe temple contains inscriptions of Cholas, Hoysalas, Vijayanagara Kings, Nayaks and Marathas. The inscriptions in the walls of the temple are from Kulothunga Chola I, indicating revenue survey and settlement and other additions made inside the temple. This inscription on the second precinct records a grant of 120 sheep for two lamps and the pujaris and inhabitants are appointed trustees of the grant. This inscription is dated to 172nd day of 26th year of the reign of Kulothunga I, who conquered the Kalinga region.
The other inscriptions mention the name of the queen and adore her as the "mistress of the whole world". Three other queens are Dina Chintamani, Elisai Vallabhi and Tyagavalli. The temple is also famous historically for devadasi tradition, which involves donating dance women to the temple during the medieval period. The inscriptions indicate the tradition, dances, rearrangement during festivals and procession of deities during festivals. The record is dated in the seventh regnal year of Vikrama Chola (1118-35 CE).
There are five inscriptions in this vein from the 10th century and there are three later inscriptions date 1123 CE, 1142 CE and 1218 CE. The possible reasoning for the hundred-year gap indicates the shifting of all temple women to Brihadeeswarar temple by Rajaraja I. Since the temple received lot of gifts, the Cholas deputed a special army to protect the endowments. One specific inscription documents the presence of theatre (Natakasala) for enacting dramas.
The theatre artists received patronage from kings and one Veli (approximately 3 acre) of cultivable land was granted as gift to the artist for nurturing the art. The Koothu (a form of folk drama) artists performed different styles of Koothu including Aryakoothu and Chakkaikoothu during festival time. The temple also served as the centre for fostering fine arts.