Padalathri Temple (Narasimhar Temple),
Singaperumalkoil, Kanchipuram – History
Singaperumalkoil
was originally called by various names like Azhwar Narasingadevar &
Narsinga Vinnagar Azhwar. The original temple is believed to have been built
in Rock-cut architecture by the Pallavas, who built cave temples of similar kind in the area.
The inscriptions on the walls of the temple are from the chola regime during
the 10 – 11th centuries. The inscriptions are made in Tamil or in ancient Tamil scripts indicating gift of
land, lamps and houses to the temple.
The
oldest inscription is found from the period of Raja
Raja Chola (985-1016 CE), the
most famous Chola emperor
from Thanjavur during 990 indicating gift of 26 sheep for the
perpetual lighting of the temple. Another inscription from Andal shrine is mutilated,
but indicates gift by an individual to the presiding deity. The third
inscription is mutilated, presumably from the 11th century indicating gifts to
the temple.
