Thursday, July 16, 2020

Sundareswarar Temple, Mela Pazhuvur – History

Sundareswarar Temple, Mela Pazhuvur – History
The ancient name of this village was Mannuperumpazhuvur, Periya Pazhuvur and Melai Pazhuvur. Current Mela Pazhuvur, Keezha Pazhuvur and Keezhaiyur forms the ancient Mannuperumpazhuvur. It was the capital of the Pazhuvettaraiyar Chiefs who were from Kerala and ruled Ariyalur area as feudatories of the Chola Kings from Aditya I to Rajendra Chola I. Pazhuvettaraiyar Kumaran Kandan, Kumaran Maravan, Kandan Amudan and Maravan Kandan were some of the notable kings of this family.
Chola Kings had marital alliances with the Pazhuvettaraiyar family. Parantaka Chola married Arumozhinangai who was the daughter of the Pazhuvettaraiyar Chief Kumaran Maravan and the Chola King Arinjaya Chola was born to this princess. Uthama Chola (970-986) also married a princess of this family. Panchavan Maadevi, wife of Rajaraja – I was also a native of Avani Kandarvapuram. She was a dancing girl of this temple.
The Chola Kings seem to have had their minting factory at this Capital. Kalki’s Ponniyin Selvan, famous historical novel, a portion of the story revolves in this place. This Temple dates back to the period of Aditya Chola – I. The Temple was called as Pagaividai Isvaram during its heydays. Lord was called as Pagaividai Eshwara Grahathu Mahadevar as per the inscriptions available in the temple.
The inscriptions of Rajaraja Chola and Kulottunga Chola refer the Lord as Thiruththotramudaya Mahadevar. Probably this name has been translated later into Sanskrit as Sundareswarar. There is an inscription stating that the temple was renovated by Pazhuvettaraiyar Kandan Maravan.
There is an important inscription stating that the brick temple was converted to granite temple during Kulothunga Chola I period. It was rebuilt by Ilangesan, a local chieftain and renamed it as Kulothunga Choleeswaram. The Temple was renovated by Nattukottai Nagarathar AR Ramanathar and Kumbabhishekam was performed on 09-09-2015 nearly after 500 years.