Aadhi Nayaka Perumal Temple, Gopurapatti – History
Srirangam Ranganathaswamy Temple is not just a piece
of religious significance but a seat of historical events of various dynasties.
The temple was subjected to massive invasion by Muslim rulers, the most
important being the one in 1323 AD, when it witnessed maximum damage, the worst
in its history. On instruction from Allaudin Khilji, one
of his military Commanders Ulagh Khan and his powerful
army raided many parts of South India and in 1323 AD attacked the
famous Ranganathar Temple, Srirangam, the largest functioning temple complex in
the world for treasures.
The siege continued for a short period and
the holy temple was used as a garrison by the invading army. It was
a chaotic situation around the temple town. What is not much known is
the history of Gopurapatti, a tiny village near Trichy, where alternative and
interim arrangement was practised for worshipping Lord Ranganathaswamy and for
performing the daily rituals. According to Koyilozhugu, an authentic record of
events relating to Srirangam, Sri Vaishnavites were scattered during the
invasion.
Divided into various teams, each team took upon
various responsibilities for protection of the temple. Thus, a team led by
Pillailokachariar took up an important mission of protecting the idols and
treasures of the temple. They took the temple's processional idol of Azhagiya
Manavalan into safe custody. A stone wall was built across the sanctum
sanctorum of Ranganathaswamy to protect it from any damage. Hundreds of Sri
Vaishnavites were massacred.
Bewildered over the attack, Sri Vaishnavites settled
in villages such as Tirupachil (now known as Pachoor) Govarthanakudi (now
called Kovathakudi), Tiruvarangapatti and Azhagiya Manavalam. They offered
worship to Adhinayaka Perumal in Gopurapatti village. With the construction of
the stone wall hindering the view of the sanctum sanctorum in Srirangam, the
daily religious rituals meant for Lord Ranganathaswamy was performed to
Adhinayaka Perumal idol in Gopurapatti.
Also, it was at the Sundararaja Perumal Temple in
Azhagiya Manavalan, half a kilometer from this temple, that Namperumal, the
Utsava deity of Srirangam, was safeguarded during those years and taken back
after peace was restored. Koyilozhugu has documented that 12,000 Vaishnavites
were massacred at Srirangam during the invasion ('Pannerayiravar mudi tiruthiya
pandriazhwan mettu kalagam'). To mark annual rituals of homage, the 'shrardha'
is being performed on Adi Ammavasai every year on the banks of the Vaikkal.
The exact history about the construction of the
temple located in Manachanallur taluk is not available. But, inscriptions
describe the renovation of the temple taken up during Veera Vallalan III, a
Hoysala ruler in 1342 AD and during the era of Thozhappan in 1498 AD. Inscriptions
describe the village as 'Mel Thalai Kaviri Poompattinam', 'Rajaraja Valanadu',
'Puradhanapuri'. A beautiful description in the inscription about the presiding
deity as 'Pudhukidaiyil Jalasayanathu Perumal' explains the history of the
temple and its role played during the invasion period. The Samprokshanam of
Gopurapatti Vishnu temple was performed on August 27, 2010.
