Veerattaneswarar Temple, Thiruvathigai – History
The Thiruvadigai Temple was originally built as
a Jain temple by the Pallava King Mahendravarman I in the
6th century AD. However, on his conversion
from Jainism to Hinduism under the influence of Appar, Mahendravarman demolished the existing temple and
built a temple to Shiva called Gunavareswaram in its place. Mahendra Pallava is
believed to have attained the name Gunavareswara on account of the incident. The
temple contains some remaining Jain artifacts. There is also another Shiva
temple and a Vishnu temple nearby believed to have been constructed
from the remains of the demolished Jain temple.
A king called Kalinkaraya is believed to have endowed
lot of treasures and built various structures in the temple as seen from the
inscriptions in the temple. King Rajaraja is believed to have
stayed in this temple for a long time to study the architecture before
building Brihadeeswarar Temple. Thanjavur Peria Koil (Big Temple) Vimana was designed
after this Temple. The temple is designed with such mathematical accuracy by
the Pallavas that the shade of the temple does not fall on the ground. In later
stage the temple was used by the French Government, Arcot Nawabs, Marathas
and Britishers for storing arms and as fort.