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.