Soundararajaperumal Temple, Thadikombu - History
This temple is considered to be equal in importance to
the Kallazhagar Temple. It was renovated by the Vijayanagar kings, Achudeva
Raya and his brother Ramadeva Raya in 1551. During the 15th century, Dindigul was the scene of heavy warfare and people moved in
large numbers to Thadikombu. The temple is believed to have been built during
the rule of Achyuta
Deva Raya (1529–1542 CE), the
younger brother of Krishna
Deva Raya, during the 16th century.
The construction supposedly began during the rule of his
predecessor, Aliya Rama Raya (1485 – 1565 CE). There are inscriptions from
various ruling empires on the contributions made to the maintenance of the
temple. The outer halls and the sculptures were included during the period
of Thirumalai Nayak (1623-59) in 1629. Thirumalai Nayakar of Madurai
is said to have commissioned the exquisite sculptures dating back to around
1640 CE.
There are references to the Northern House at Thaadi
Kombu in culverts relating to Sundara Pandya, a Pandya king who ruled Madurai
sometime between the 9th and 12th centuries CE. This is an indication that the
temple dates back to a time prior to the rule of Sundara Pandyan and is
possibly more than 1000 years old.
A damaged inscription in the temple from the period of
Rama Raya is found in the Garuda Mandapa. An inscription in the Sundara Pandya
Mandapam indicates the conduct of marriage festival of Kallazhagar in Madurai. Other
inscription mentions that the people of Madurai consider Thadikombu as their
northern settlement.
Inscription within the temple makes this reference
–
“சுந்தர பாண்டிய மண்டபதிலே நானும் நம் பெண்டுகளும் மூலகமா இறுகலில் நமக்கு வடக்கு வீடான திருமலை தாடி கொம்பு அழகர் "
It is also learnt that a chieftain by name Sundaresan
appointed the priests of the temple. It is also believed that a hall being
named Sundarapandya, the temple might have existed from the earlier Pandyan era
and might have been expanded by the Vijayanagar kings.