Ganga Jadeswarar
Temple, Govindhaputhur – History
This Temple is considered to be
the 47th Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam
on the north side of river Cauvery in Chozha Nadu. Appar
(Thirunavukkarasar) has referred to this place as Vijayamangai. When
Thirugnanasambanthar came to visit this temple, the river Kollidam was in spate
and he had to remain on the other bank and sing his Thevaram. There
was a confusion about the location of the Temple.
Few believe, Vijayamangai
Vijayanatheswarar Temple on southern banks of Kollidam is the actual 47th
Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam
on the north side of river Cauvery in Chozha Nadu. Many Chola
Inscriptions confirms this Temple as Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam, but Vijayamangai
Vijayanatheswarar Temple is widely accepted as Devaram Paadal Petra Sthalam and
this Temple is considered as Thevara Vaippu Sthalam.
The Temple was in existence from
7th Century AD. Parantaka Chola rebuilt this Temple in bricks in 929
A.D. Paranthaka Chola created a Brahmadeya settlement under her mother Vanavan
Maadevi name. Now, this place is called as Sripuranthan, located nearby. Later,
Ambalavan Pazhuvur Nakkan, a chief under Uthama Chola converted this brick
temple into granite temple. In addition, he built a shrine for Nataraja &
his consort Shivagami and also gifted golden ornaments.
This place was called as
Vadakarai Rajendra Singa Valanaatu Periyavaanvan Maadevi Chaturvedi Mangalathu
Vijayamangai during Rajendra Chola I period. It was called as Vikrama Chozha
Naatu Innambar Naatu Vijayamangai during Kulothunga Chola III period. Inscriptions
of Parantaka Chola, Uthama Chola, Rajaraja Chola I, Rajendra Chola I,
Kulothunga Chola I and Rajaraja Chola II can be found in the Temple premises.
Lord was called as Vijayamangalathu Mahadevar, Vijayamangalamudaiya Mahadevar
and Vijayamangalamudaiya Paramaswamy as per these inscriptions.
An inscription dated to 32nd
regnal year of Rajaraja Chola II indicates about the existence of Thiruthondath
Thogaiyan Madam existed in this village. Thirugnana Sambandar Song “வாழ்க அந்தணர் வாணவர் ஆயினம்” had been mentioned in the
beginning of an inscription dated to Rajendra Chola III in 1248 A.D. Devaram
used to be sung in all Paadal Petra Sthalams. Similarly, it was sung in this
Temple also.
There is an inscription dated to
Uthama Chola in 984 AD confirms this fact. Also, another inscription dated to
Rajaraja Chola I in 1014 A.D. records a gift of paddy for singing Devaram in
this Temple. There are about six Pandyas Inscriptions and one Vijayanagara
Empire Inscription in this Temple. The temple has been extensively renovated recently
by Thayumanavar Mandram, Tiruchirappalli.
