Sundaravarada Perumal Temple, Uthiramerur, Kanchipuram
- History
Uthiramerur
was ruled by the Pallavas, Cholas, Pandyas, Sambuvarayas, Vijayanagara Rayas and Nayaks. As per the inscriptions
in the temple, the Pallava king Nandivarman
II (720–796 CE) established the village around 750
A.D. It is believed that he donated the village to Vedic Brahmins from Srivaishanva community. There is a mention about four Pallava
kings up to 900 AD. There are a total of 25 inscriptions from the Pallava
period.
The
temple was built by Nandivarman II modeled from the Vaikuntanatha Perumal temple in Kanchipuram. From the inscriptions, it is also
learnt that the temple was built according to agamic principles by the
architect Takshaka of Pataka and with expert consultation with the agamics in
the village. The Cholas captured the region and it came under their
dominion during the latter part of 9th century.
There
are inscriptions from the period of Parantaka
Chola I (907–950), Rajaraja
Chola I (985–1014), Rajendra
Chola I (1012–1044)
and Kulothunga Chola I (1070–1120)
indicating various gifts to the temples. The process of democratically electing
the local representatives through a system called Kudavolai during the Chola
regime is documented in the inscriptions.
The
region and the village went under the sway of Pandyas during the 13th century and subsequently to the
Telugu Chola ruler Vijaya Gandagopala. He renamed the village of Gandagopala
Chaturvedhi Mangalam. During the latter period, the village switched hands to
Pallava chieftains, Telugu Cholas, Samburavarayars and finally Kumara
Kampana.
The
Vijayanagara emperor Krishnadevaraya (1502–29) made contributions to the Sundaravarada
temple, Shubramanya temple and Kailasanatha temple in the village. The village
was the scene of war between Lingma and Yachama during the 17th century.
The Carnatic Wars were fought in the nearby Vandavasi between the British and the French during the 18th century. The temple is maintained
and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamilnadu.
Based on
the inscriptions, the temple has been addressed by many names, like Vellai
Vishnugraham, Vellai Murthi Emperan, Vellaimurthi Azhwar, Rajendra Chola
Vinnagar Azhwar and Sokka Perumal. In fact, our current constitution and
governance model is said to have been modelled on the framework created by
Parantaka Chozhan in 10th Century AD. Unfortunately, though, the disqualification
criteria seem to have been given a serious pass by the Indian Electorate.
While
the inscription leads one to believe that this was a 8th Century AD temple
built by Nandi Varma Pallava, the construction materials used here raises the
question if this actually was built much earlier, possibly in the 6th Century
AD. Uthira Merur’s Sundara Varadar temple has been built using a mix of
Karungal (base of the temple), red bricks and Lime (Tier 2 and 3).
Most of
the temples built around the 9th/10th Century AD are ones built largely out of
Karungal, while the 6th Century AD temples in Tamil Nadu were built with
Karungal, red bricks and other materials. Hence it is quite possible that the
construction of this temple may have actually started in the 6th Century AD and
not 8th Century AD. However, there are no inscriptions confirming this Story.
As seen
above, Pallava king Nandi Varma Pallava was responsible for the creation of
Uthiramerur and the Varadar temple. Chozhas, who succeeded the Pallavas here,
can be credited with pioneering the ‘Process of Assembly Elections’ in India.
Inscription that can be found here provide insights into the constitutional
framework that was in vogue at that time. The Chozha king Rajendra Chozha
1 also visited Uthiramerur and made significant contributions to the Sundara
Varadar temple.
Contributions
were also made during the reign of Raja Raja Chozha. The Great Vijayanagara
king Krishnadeva Raaya, who had a special liking for Vaishnavite temples, is
said to have visited this place and made liberal contributions to the
Uthiramerur Perumal koil. This was also said to be a ‘Thulabharam Koil’ and
Thulabharam was said to be a common feature at this temple. Belief is
that one who does a simple 48 day Pradakshanam at this temple will have all his
wishes fulfilled.
Thiru Mangai Azhvaar:
Thiru
Mangai Azhvaar has praised in ten verses Lord Vaikunta Varadan and this has
been currently credited to Parameswara Vinnagara (Divya Desam) in Kanchipuram. It
is quite possible that Thiru Mangai may actually have sung praise of the Uthiramerur
Varadar and his reference in the Paasuram of ‘Vaikunta Varadar’ and ‘Kachi’ may
actually be of Vaikunta Varadar at Uthiramerur alongside the Varadar at Parameswara
Vinnagaram in Kanchipuram.
Several
centuries ago, when Kanchipuram was the capital of the Pallavas, all the towns
in this region may have been referred to by the Azhvaars in a generic address
as ‘Kachi’, even when he was singing praise of different forms of Vishnu, in
this Pallava Kingdom. There is a 3 ½- 4 feet idol of Thirumangai Azhvaar at
this temple. It is difficult to believe that Thiru Mangai would not have
visited Uthiramerur and that he would not have been lured by the Nava Murthy
here.