Kailasanathar Temple, Brahmmadesam – History
The
Tamirabarani - Ghadananadi river region was established as a Chola colony after
the Chola conquest of Pandyan country in the 10th century A.D.
Jatavaraman alias Sundara Chola Pandya (1017-18 A.D), the Chola-Pandya king aka
Chola Viceroy (feudatory of the Rajendra Chola I) formed new townships and
converted the forest lands for cultivation. The inscriptions at the
Vedanarayana temple at Mannarkoil village informs us that the big Brahmadeyam
village of 'Rajaraja Chadurvedi Mangalam' in Mullinadu in the 'Mudikonda Chola
Valanadu' of Raja Raja Pandinadu was made over to Brahmins as gifts.
The
hamlets of 'Ilangokudi' (today's Ambasamudram), Kallidaikurichi, Aththala
Nallur, Vazuthiyoor, Alwarkurichi and Pappankurichi were parts of this big
Brahmadayam village (now Brahmadesam). The original deity in this temple
Badhari Vaneswara was worshipped by Romasa Maharishi, the grandson of Lord
Brahma, and so the village was named Brahmmadesam. Till about 1850 or so, this
village was the Taluk Headquarters. In the Ghatana Nadhi Mahatmiyam, it is
mentioned that the Swayambu Lingams of Sivasailam, Thiruvaleeswararm and
Kailasanathar emerged in the same time and those who take bath in the River
Ghatana and worship the above lingams get freed from the sins.
The
present temple and the Brahmmadesam village were gifted to the Brahmins by the
Rajaraja Chola I for chanting four Vedas. The monarch built the original
temple including the sanctum, ardha mandapa, mukha-mandapa during 10th
century A.D. The king is also supposed to have gifted several acres of land
around the temple, for the temple to remain self-sustained. The temple
structure is a combination of various royal dynasties. The main shrine was
constructed by the Chola kings; the beautiful Mandapams were built by
the Pandya kings; the attractive wooden decors on the roof were the
works of the Chera kings.
The
gigantic temple towers at the front side and back side were constructed by the
Nayaka king Viswanatha Nayaka. The huge compound walls were also built by
him. Even the Hoysala kings made some additions to the temple. In the
sixth Thirumurai, this temple is mentioned as Ayneeswaram in the 8th
Verse of 71st Chapter. This temple is the first of Navakailasha
temples (according to Currala Mahatmiyam) in this district.