Abathsahayeswarar Temple,
Thukkachi – History
The original temple was built
by Rajendra Chola I (ruled between
1014-1044 CE). The name of the place got derived from Goddess Durga. As she is
the protector and ruler of this place, it is known as Durga Aatchi (ruled by
Durga). Legend says that Vikrama Chola suffered from vitiligo and visited many temples to pray for
respite from the disease. Lord Abathsahayeswarar visited him in his dream when
he was camping near Thukkachi and asked him to worship him for 48 days. The
king was completely cured in due course and subsequently ordered the expansion
of the temple.
The temple is also known as
Southern Kalahasti after the temple town of Sri
Kalahasti in Andhra
Pradesh. In 2015, on the advice of the state government, work began
on renovating the temple, which had been left in disrepair. The Indian
government contributed 5.5 million rupees,
while devotees have also contributed to the ongoing restoration efforts.
Inscriptions:
There are inscriptions belonged
to Rajendra Chola, Kulothunga Chola, Vikrama Chola talks about donations and
renovations done to this Temple. There is an inscription in Koohur
Aaditheswarar Temple neat to Thukkachi dated to 7th regnal year (992 A.D) and
14th regnal year (999 A.D) of Rajaraja Chola I. This inscription mentions this
village as Videl Vidugu Thukkachi Chathurvedhimangalam.
Videl Vidugu is one of the nick
names of Nandi Varma Pallava II. The village can be dated back to 730 A.D to
795 A.D. This Village might be donated to Brahmins by Nandi Varma Pallava II.
This name remains same till Rajendra Chola I. During Rajathiraja Chola I, the
village name got changed to Thukkachi Vijaya Rajendra Chathurvedhimangalam.
There was an inscription dated
to 30th regnal year of Kulothunga Chola I found in this village. The
inscription informs about land grant given by local Sabha to sing Thirupathigam
on Then Kalathi Mahadevar Temple, situated in Vijaya Rajendra
Chathurvedhimangalam (Thukkachi). Same inscriptions also talk about the grants
given by the local Sabha to Koohur Amravaneswarar Temple.
The older name of this Temple is
Then Thiru Kalathi as per the inscriptions. The Temple is considered as
equivalent to Kalahasthi. After Vikrama Chola, son of Kulothunga Chola I
renovations to the Temple, the temple came to be called as Vikrama
Chozheeswarar. There is an inscription in this temple dated to 4th regnal
year of Vikrama Chola.
Again, the village got changed
to Vikrama Chozha Nallurana Irumaapoonthui. However, the village retained its
original name in modern times. The Temple management was regulated by Sirandan
Munaivaraiyan during Rajaraja Chola III rule. Later, due to Sanskrit influence,
Lord came to be called as Abathsahayeswarar and Mother came to be called as
Soundara Nayagi.