Rajagopala Swamy Temple, Mannarkoil – Inscriptions
One
finds several inscriptions relating to significant contributions made by rulers
dating back to the Chozha and Chera period. Rajendra Chozha made big
contributions to this temple in the 11th century AD, so much so that this place
was referred to as Rajendra Vinnagaram. Later, Chera King Rajasimman donated
several pieces of land to this temple. Jatavarma Chozha Pandya as well as Nayak
kings also made contributions to the Mannar Koil. There are also interesting
inscriptions on the floor of the temple right at the entrance.
There
are numerous inscriptions of Jatavaraman Sundara-Chola Pandya found on the
outer (southern, western and northern) walls of the main vimana base dating
back to the Chola period. According to Ep. Ind., Vol. XI, pp. 294 the Chera king
Rajasimha was a contemporary of the first viceroy Jatavarma Sundara Chola
Pandya. Inscriptions mention about the existence of Temple Maha Sabha
empowered to register all the land grants from monarchs - Chola and Pandya
rulers. The land grants were realized when these rulers camped in nearby places
like Velaikurichi and Kallidaikurichi. In this way there are references about
the gifting of the village of Velancholai to the temple.
The 4th
year reign - inscription records some decisions taken in the meeting of the
assembly held in a hall of the Ambalam about the land and houses granted to the
gardeners, drummers, potters, garland makers, torch bearers and temple dance
girls (devaradiyar). It is located on the south wall of the temple. The
6th year reign - inscription records the order about the gift of
taxes on the land (endowed as a Devadana to the temple) in a village called
Manabharana Chaturvedimangalam. It is located on the north wall of the temple.
On the
139th day in the 13th year reign - inscription records the details
of land sale by the Sabha of Rajaraja Chaturvedimangalam to the temple.
The 14 and odd veli of land in extent was regrouped into a new hamlet called
Sola Pandya Nallur and converted into a tax-free Devadana. It is located on
the west wall of the Temple. In the 14th year reign - inscription registers the
sale of the village Manabharana Chaturvedimangalam, a Brahmadeya in Mulli Nadu,
which was the property of two Brahmans of Nigarilisola Chaturvedimangalam named
Govindan Madhava bhattan and Govindan Thirivikraman, to the temple. Also
records that the Brahmans had originally obtained the village as the gurus of
the ruling dynasty. It is located on the north wall of the temple.
In the
18th year reign - inscription registers the sale by the Sabha of Rajaraja
Chaturvedimangalam to the temple. It is located on the north wall of the temple.
Another inscription records gift of land to 12 Brahmins who had settled down in
the village from towns such as Thirukkurungudi, Tirukurugur (Azhwar
Thirunagari) and Thirumaliruncholai (Azhagar Koil), in recognition of their
recitation of the 'Thiruvaimozhi' in the Thiruvaimozhi Mandapam (even now
called in the same).
One more
inscription records to the Maha Sabha accepting the legacy of land from two
widows only after their male relatives had agreed to the land being gifted to
the temple. In cases where the signatories to a contract were illiterate, others
had signed on their behalf. Two other inscriptions record routine matters like
the appointment of Sankara Nayanar as the dharmakarta in Kollam year 764 and
the gift of land to some common people like the temple watchman.