Vasishteswarar Temple, Karanthai – Inscriptions
The sanctum walls are abundant with ancient inscriptions. The earliest inscription belongs to Uthama Chola and his mother Sembiyan Mahadevi. There is an inscription dating Uthama Chola 10th regnal year mentions about donation of Dvarapalas by a lady called Arunilimalai Piratti. Maduranthaga Uthama Chola’s son Maduranthaga Kandarathithan donated 90 goats for burning perpetual lamp in the sanctum. There are inscriptions belonging to Chola Emperors Rajaraja Chola I and Rajendra Chola I in the Temple.
Rajaraja Chola-I’s sister Kundavai Piratti donated the income after selling a land at Rajakesari Village in Nallur Nadu. In another Rajaraja Chola-I’s inscription mentions about a donation of burning perpetual lamp in memory of a Horse Soldier called Kaarikulirvaagai, who was killed in a fight with another Horse soldier of the same wing by name Vichathara Mutharaiyan.
Another Rajendra Chola’s inscription mentions that he had donated a “Rajendra Chozhan Pattam” along with some ornaments to Lord Shiva of this temple in his name. As per the inscription this place was called as Karunthittaikudi and Lord Shiva as Karuvittakudi Mahadevar. Mother of a man called Kilavan Aanaikaavan donated two stones for constructing the temple.
