Parthasarathy Temple, Parthivapuram – History
According
to the Huzur Office (copper) plates, the temple was built by Ay (Vrishni Kula)
King Karunandadakkan (AD 857 - 880) who wanted the temple to be one of the
finest constructions by the Ay rulers. One particular Chola inscription got
from the site, mentions about the installation of a deity’s silver Vigraha
(idol). Another record dated AD 923 reveals that a land was gifted for lighting
perpetual lamps. More recent inscriptions found in the temple pertains to the
15th century. The latest known inscription is assignable to the 15th
century and the inscriptions are silent about any renovation work till then.
Parthivasekharapuram,
today’s Parthivapuram, is inextricably bound to history, specifically to the
powerful Ay Kings Kokkarunandadakkan and Vikramaditya Varaguna whom dominated
the major part of later Venadu. The Palayam Shasanam (in local Jargon) or
Huzur Plates of Kollam 42/867 AD are exhaustive in detail on Parthivapuram
referred to in them as Parthivasekharapuram. There are five copper plates. The
first plate informs the process of land procurement, fixing boundaries,
erecting a temple, consecrating the idol of Vishnu and naming the village
around as Parthivasekharapuram. Establishment of a Salai (boarding
school) is also detailed.
The
second plate prescribes duties of temple servants and power suppliers,
enumeration of lands granted for perpetual lamps here and directions for
conduct of the Temple festival in much elaboration including derivation of
income, duration, duties and so on. The third plate lists lands gifted to
meet payments to temple staff and temple-allied services. The fourth plate
enjoins the people of the various areas to protect charitable institutions e.g.
Salais, while fixing the number of the students.
The last
plate is weighty with abundant directives as it specifies the code of conduct
of the students, their curriculum, land rent collection for the temple, rules
regulating the behaviours of the temple servants towards the students and the
names of the officer directing the document and the writer of the same. There
is also a single Sanskrit verse in praise of a personality by name Srivallabha
who is, probably, King Karunandadakkan himself.
It is
said that the temple complex had a separate Patasala (Vedic University) within
it, with boarding facilities for more than 95 scholars. The 9th century
Ay King Vikramaditya Varaguna wanted to make this Patasala at Parthivapuram in
par with the famous Kandalur sala at Thiruvananthapuram (the exact location of
this university is still a matter of contest among historians). However, the
Parthivapuram sala failed to raise its quality and standards, thus losing the
race to the prominent Kandalur Shala at Trivandrum. It is also evident from the
fact that not a single Chola invasion of 10th or 11th Century
was directed against it as was the case with Kandalur Salai.
However,
it is clear that the Vrishni Kula King made all efforts to build a magnificent
edifice in this temple-Salai complex, worthy of his fame and achievement. The
temple is now a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India. As
a monument, temple might be regarded as a time capsule to know the social,
cultural and economic life of the people through the ages. Above all, the
temple served as the centre of cultural and educational activity. It promotes
the bond of unity among the people. This temple conducted Mahakumbabishekam
before 1200 years.