Paampuranathar Temple, Thirupampuram – Inscriptions
There are 28 epigraphs found in the Thirupampuram
temple. These epigraphs belong to the period of third Kulothunga Cholan,
Rajarajan III, Rajendra III, Sundarapandyan and the Saraboji King.
Thirupampuram was known as “Kulothunga Chola Chadurvedi Mangalam” during the
Chola period. Chola kings succeeding Vijayalaya Chola renovated many brick-built
temples into stone ones and Thirupampuram is one among them. Of the 28
inscriptions found in this temple most are found in the outer ring – six on the
north, one in east, four in west and two in the south.
Of these the oldest is from the period of Kulothunga Chola
the third (11 78-1218 AD). Hence one can safely conclude this stone edifice is
close to a millennium old. Unusually, there are no gifts from any of the
kingdoms – Chola, Pandya or Maratha. Only the common man has bequeathed on the temple.
The brick temple was converted to a stone one by a great man Kotramangalam Pararavayur.
This conversion might have happened just during the region of Kulothunga III
(1200 AD).
The temple of the Goddess was converted during 22nd year
of the region of Rajarajan III (1216 – 1246 AD). So it can be safely concluded
that the stone temple for Maamalayatti was constructed in the year 1238 AD. The
political officer of Kulothunga Chola III, Gunavayiludaiyar Meenavan Moovendha
Vellalan consecrated the Rajaraja Vinayagar statue on the 15th day
after the accession of the King to the throne. The King had distributed lands
exempted from tax to this Temple. The King’s mandate is inscribed on the
epigraphic stone.
A woman by name Aalavandhal gave away few of her slaves
to the temple on the 13th year of rule of the King Kulothunga III. A
Vellalan who calls himself as Ammana Aandi and resident of Thirupampuram
pledged himself and his two daughters to the temple for 32 Kassu due to
poverty. These three have become the slaves of the Mutt attached to
the Temple. An epigraph which belong to the year 1205 AD describes during
the 27th year of rule of King Kulottunga III, Thiru Vaesanalaiyar
purchased a land from the temple and in exchange he has given a piece of
land in the middle of the main street to the Temple.
Kazhumala Nattup Porkizhaththiyar alias Ponnazhi had given
120 Kasu to light a lamp in the month of Avani to the Thiruviththichira
Mudaiayar to the
Mendicant (Sripandaram) during the 28th year of the rule of the King Kulottunga III. A devotee Naarpaththennayiram Manikkam consecrated Thiruvasura Nayanar, Periya Thevar and Naachchimaar in this temple during the 35th year rule of the King Kulothunga III. Lands at various places have been set aside as donation for offering raw rice for the consecrated Thiruvasura Nayanar, Periya Thevar and Naachchimaar in this temple. The List of donors is also found in the epigraph.
Mendicant (Sripandaram) during the 28th year of the rule of the King Kulottunga III. A devotee Naarpaththennayiram Manikkam consecrated Thiruvasura Nayanar, Periya Thevar and Naachchimaar in this temple during the 35th year rule of the King Kulothunga III. Lands at various places have been set aside as donation for offering raw rice for the consecrated Thiruvasura Nayanar, Periya Thevar and Naachchimaar in this temple. The List of donors is also found in the epigraph.
One of the epigraphs states that King Kulottunga
III’s, 31st year of ruling Arulmozhi Brammarayan requested the great
Assembly of Chadurvedi Mangalam to donate lands for the Temple. During
the 13th year of rule Rajarajan III, Varunanatheesuramudaiyan
gifted away ten cows and three female calves and he made arrangement for the
salary and other expenditure for the maintenance of the cows and calves in
order to provide daily milk products for the Lord Thiruppaampuramudaiyar. He
had also built a shelter near the entrance of the temple for the cattle.
During Rajarajan III’s 28th ruling year Thiru Smuchchkkamathuuduayan
Dhamodarana Chozhiyathaya Vellalan constructed a hall (Aaththana Mandapam) in
the Second prakaram (Courtyard) of Thirupampuram Udaiyar temple. The Assembly
of Kulothunga Chola Chadurvedi Mangalam had gifted away lands in Thirupampuram
village as well as in other places for the maintenance of this Hall (Aaththana
Mandapam). Pazhuvaettaiyar gifted away lands for the vessel and to bring water
daily from Arasalaru for the Aabishaegam and 52 Red Lilli flowers to Garland
the Thiruppaampuramudaiyar. The lands were also given away for the water bearer
and the flower man.
One of the epigraphs mentions the list of members of the
great assembly during the reign of the Rajajarajan III who acted as per the
orders of the Army General Rajaraja Brammarayan. During the 15th year
of rule of Rajendra III a Brahmin Lady with the guardianship of Perumaruthoor
Thiruchchaerai Ninrupattan sold her land for 2000 Kasu in the presence of her
son. In the document the other land of the lady with the areas and directions
are also mentioned, which serves as an evidence that even the widows
owned lands in their name during that period.
Aalalasundara Vaellalan’s son gifted away ¼ veli
irrigation land with water canal facility to the Thiruppaampuramudaiyar temple.
One of the epigraphs explains the land of the persons those who have not paid
tax for their lands were confiscated during the 23rd year of rule of Jatavarma
Sundara Pandiyan. An epigraph which belongs to the period of 13th century
mentions that a principal amount was created for the creation
a Temple Flower Garden. Thirupampuram temple epigraphs give a
detailed list of names of the land as per the records maintained by the rulers.
An epigraph states that a person from Paerullur gifted
away land for Goddess Maamalayatti for Naivaethiyam during the pooja time. In Southern
side of the Mahamandapam of the Temple, an epigraph is found which belongs to
the Kuloththunga Chola III period states that Kaduvetti Pallavan had donated
land for the Temple. An epigraph found in the eastern wall of the
outer fortification of the Temple states that Vennai Nallur Kaalingarayan
had made some contribution to the temple but details of the contribution is not
known.
An epigraph found on the ornamental work of the western
wall of the Sanctum Sanctorum in four line states that Sokkaperumal along
with his father purchased land for making arrangements to create flower garden.
The Great Assembly gave tax exemption for this land. Subedar Panditharayan
representative of Mannuko Panditharayan has constructed a Vasantha Mandapam in
the Sedapureesvarar Temple during reign of Tanjore Maratha King Saraboji is
found in one of the epigraphs. The name of the Cholapureesvarar Swamy is found
on the southern wall of the front hall in one of the epigraphs.