Thirumagaraleeswarar Temple,
Thirumagaral – History
The
temple is originally believed to be built in brick in 7th
century CE by Pallavas. The brick structure was completely converted to granite
structure by the Chola Emperor Rajendra Chola. The
temple received extensive patronage from Cholas, Pandyas, Vijayanagara
Kings and Telugu Chodas. Inscriptions dating back to the reigns of Rajaraja Chola
I, Rajendra Chola I, Kulothunga Chola I, Kulothunga Chola II, Kulothunga Chola
III, Rajaraja Chola II, Jadavarman Sundara Pandya I, Veera Maha Devaraya &
Kampanna Udayar of Vijayanagara Dynasty and Telugu Choda King Vijayakanda
Gopalan are found in this
temple.
Magaral
was called as Jayamkonda Chozha Mandalathu Eyir Kottathu Magaral Naattu Magaral
and Lord Shiva was called as Magaral Udaya Nayanar, Thiru Agatheeswaramudayar
and Thiru Agatheechuramudaya Nayanar as per the inscriptions available in this
temple. Magaral
was a very prominent place during the Chola era and finds frequent mention in
the records of the period. The rajagopuram was built in 1963. The
temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious &
Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Tamilnadu.