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.