Pandava Thoothar Perumal Temple (Thirupadagam),
Kanchipuram – History
The
temple is considered one of three oldest temples in Kanchipuram, the other two
being Ulagalantha Perumal Temple and Yathothkari Perumal Temple. The temple is originally believed to be built during
the period of Pallavas. The temple has a set of inscriptions associated
with Cholas. A record of the Chola king, Rajakesari Varman alias Kulothunga Chola I, dated in his fifth year.
It records
that a merchant provided the temple with a flower garden and purchased from the
village of Ovirukkai some lands for the benefit of the gardeners. The cost of
the 2,000 kulis (tax-free) was 11 kalanjus equal in finesse of Madhurantaka madai and
the assembly could not levy in
consequences vellikasu, nirallai, silvari, sorumattu etc.
The
south wall of the temple has inscriptions of Kulothunga Chola I, dated in his 39th year. Records gift of
two kalanjus and two manjadi by a merchant to the Pujari
(temple priest) who were to supply two malis of curd daily. There are
inscriptions on the base of the western wall of the central shrine from the
period of Rajadhiraja Chola II (1166-78 CE) indicating gifts of 32 cows for
lighting lamps of the temple. The temple is maintained and administered by
the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamilnadu.