Sri Vaikuntanathan Perumal Temple (Kallapiran Temple),
Srivaikundam, Thoothukudi - History
There
are six inscriptions in the temple deciphered by the Archaeological Department.
The inscription from a ruler named Konerimaikondan records a gift of five velis of
land as a tax free gift to the temple. The temple also obtained grant for
building and maintenance of a garden from a ruler who defeated the Cheras. The Pandya ruler Jatavarman Kulasekaran I (1190–1216 CE) also offered a similar grant to the
temple. Maravarman Sundara Pandyan (1216–1238) made
offerings to perpetual lighting of the temple.
An
inscription from his reign also indicates the installation of the shrine of Vaikundavalli.
Vira Pandyan IV (1309–1345) offered land to the temple to perform special
poojas in the temple during his birthday in the Tamil month of Vaikasi. During
1801, the temple acted as a fort for the British against the forces of Veerapandiya Kattabomman (1790-99).
It is
believed that the marks of war were visible in the temple during modern times.
An official of the Madurai Nayak rule, Vadamalayappa Pillai arranged for the
installation of Dasavathara images and Thiruvenkamudayan hall. There were also
lot of offerings in jewels and kind made to the temple during his period. There
were other people like Pillai Perumal, Ellarukum Nallan and Chockalingam, who
made similar grants. The wooden chariot with minute sculptures was installed by
Paramasivan Pillai during modern times.
