Rajarajeswaramudaiya Mahadevar Temple, Sivapuram
– History
This village was called as Oragadam and the temple
was called as Rajarajeswaramudaiya Mahadevar Temple during the Chola period. It
was built during the period (10th century CE) of the great Chola Emperor Raja
Raja Chola I. The inscriptions that belong to the period of Raja Raja Chola and
Rajendra Chola are found in this temple. The construction was started by
Rajaraja Chola I. The temple construction was completed by the Son of Rajaraja
Chola I, Rajendra Chola I. This place was named as Sri Rajarajeswaram and now
called as Sivapuram.
The inscriptions in this temple have recorded the
donations made for the maintenance of the temple by the Chola rulers. According
to the inscriptions, a canal had been dug for supply of water from the Coovum
lake to this temple. From inscriptions we come to know that gift of Land was
given to this temple during the period of Rajaraja Chola I for feeding Shiva
devotees. The gold and wealth which were donated to this temple were used for
the benefit of the people of the village.
Inscriptions of Rajendra Chola has recorded the
donations of Gold ornaments to the temple. Another inscription record about the
rituals conducted in the temple. There was a special ritual called Aadhithya
Vaara Perumbali which was conducted on Sundays. The information of several
priceless bronzes (Abhimana Meru Vidanga with Umadeviyar and Aadalvallan, which
have been recorded in one of the over twenty inscriptions here relating to
Rajendra I are missing.
