Virupaksheeswarar Temple, Serugudi, Thanjavur
Serugudi
was established by Kulothunga Chola I as a brahmadeya under
the name "Solakulavalli chaturvedimangalam" at the behest of his
queen Solakulavalli. Kulothunga Chola I invited Brahmins from
conquered lands to settle in the village and gave large gifts of land to them.
The
Virupaksheeswarar temple at Serugudi was constructed by Rajaraja
Chola II in about 1160 AD. A 12th century inscription
found on a wall adjoining the Dakshinamoorthy shrine in the temple complex
records the grant and mentions the name of the village as "Thannaru"
and the name of the deity as "Thannarudaya Nayanar".
The
stone and mortar temple was built upon an older brick shrine centered on a vilva tree. Rajaraja Chola II is also
credited with the founding of a nearby shrine dedicated to Sithala Devi. Serugudi
was also alternatively known as "Virupakshipuram".
The Virupaksheeswarar Temple was renovated and consecrated by Chandrashekarendra Saraswati, the Shankaracharya of Kanchi matha in 1949.
The Virupaksheeswarar Temple was renovated and consecrated by Chandrashekarendra Saraswati, the Shankaracharya of Kanchi matha in 1949.