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Sunday, August 14, 2016

Pushpavaneswarar Temple (Poovananathar Temple), Thirupuvanam, Sivaganga – Inscriptions

Pushpavaneswarar Temple (Poovananathar Temple), Thirupuvanam, Sivaganga – Inscriptions
The earliest inscription found at the temple belongs to 10 CE during the period of early Pandya King Sadayan Maran. The inscription refers to a gift of 75 sheep donated to the temple for maintaining perpetual lamps. The inscription has a reference to the donor Kunava Ayyan Manavaatti Udaiyan and another name Komana Sami, wife of one Veerapandya Veenai Marayan alias Aliyan Veera Narayanan. It also refers to a temple named ‘Sri Koil’ and consecration of a deity.
The gift was entrusted with Vettikudi Poovanar Arayan. “Vettikudi refers to a group of people who are unpaid temple workers”. A later Pandya period inscription belonging to Sadaiyavarman Kulasekara Pandyan (1190 – 1216 CE) and Maravarman Sundara Pandyan I (1216-1238 CE) refer to land donation to Saiva Mutt named Madapuram. Later, the Madapuram established itself into separate temple of Madapuram Kali.
The temple has two Vattezhuttu inscriptions of King Rajasimhan. One of the inscriptions refers to a Chera King Ko Kothai Varman’s visit and his donations to the temple. The temple also has copper plates belonging to Sadaiyavarman Kulasekara Pandyan and Maravarman Sundara Pandyan I.
These plates refer to the formation of Rajagambira Sathuurvedimangalam that was donated to 1200 Brahmins. Thirupuvanam village was under the geographical division named Rajasinghakulakeezh. Chinnamanur copper plate, an important document on early Pandya kingdom, refers to the village tank as Rajasinghakulam.