Ulagalantha Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram – Inscriptions
The
temple has 15 inscriptions from various dynasties like Pallavas, Chola and Sambhuvarayars.
The earliest inscription is from 846 CE during the regime of Nandivarman
III (846 - 869 CE). There is a Chola inscription dated
1110 CE during the reign of Kulothunga Chola I (1070 - 1120 CE) indicating his visit to the
temple and his gift of land to the temple whose income was to be used for the
maintenance of the temple.
Another
similar inscription indicates the donation of a village by the king on behest
of his queen Kampamadeviyar. There are inscriptions from later Chola kings
like Rajathiraja Chola II (1166–78) and Rajaraja Chola III (1216-56) indicating various records of gifts to
the temple. There are also inscriptions from minor chieftains like Vijaya
Gandagopala indicating gifts to the temple.
The
inscriptions refer the main deity by various names like Thiru Uragathu
Ninru-arulina Paramaswamin, Thiru Uragathazhwar and Tiru Uragathu Emberuman. The
Sambuvarayar rule of the 16th century records the gift of a pond and a grove in
Sevvanmedu village. The temple still continues to possess this grove. The
inscriptions in the temple also indicate increased trade and commerce during
the Pallava period, with licenses provided to shops like oil, ghee, arecanut,
vegetables, flowers, coconut, sugar, cloth and sandal.
