Alanduraiyar Temple, Keezha
Pazhuvur – History
The
original brick temple was rebuilt in
stone during the time of Parantaka Chola I and Uthama Chola. This
place is part of the ancient settlement of Perumpazhuvur ruled over by Pazhuvettaraiyar
chieftains who had connections with the Chera Clan. It was called as Sirupazhuvur,
a Brahmadeya village in Kunra Kurram. The settlement at Perum Pazhuvur consists
of two units; Kizhappazhuvur and Melapazhuvur, the former with 2 Siva temples
and the latter with one temple of Siva, the Avani Kandarpa Ishwara Griham.
According to local inscriptions,
Kizhappazhuvur was known as the brahmadeya of Sirupazhuvur as distinct from
Mannuperumpazhuvur or Melapazhuvur which then comprised of both the modern
villages of Kilaiyur and Melapazhuvur. Kizhappazhuvur is situated to the east
of Kilaiyur and the two Siva temples are the Pasupathisvaram
or Maaravanisvaram (only four walls of the Sri Kovil exist) and the
famous Alanduraiyar
temple.
The Saivite saint Thirugnana
Sambandar in his Padhigam on Pazhuvur describes the vast settlement of Brahmins
from Chera country in this place and the Sthalapuranam echoes about priests
from west coast ("Anthanarkalana Malayalavar Ettum Bandham Malikinra Pazhuvoor
Aran"). The
temple had its existence in the 7th century, vouched by
the Pathikam of Sambandar. The most glorious period of the
temple was from the period of Parantaka I (907-953 A.D.) through 10th
and 11th centuries.
There are about 27 inscriptions
spread over the above period. An inscription of historical significance is the
one in Parantaka's 12th regnal year (919 A.D.) which relates to a
gift of 90 sheep for a lamp in the
temple of Thiru-Alandurai-Mahadeva at Sirupazhuvur in celebration of
the great Chola victory at the battle of Velur over the combined forces of the
Pandyas and Ceylonese. This led to the expansion of the Chola Kingdom.
