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Thursday, July 16, 2020

Alanduraiyar Temple, Keezha Pazhuvur – History

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.