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Thursday, February 25, 2021

Moovar Koil, Kodumbalur – History

Moovar Koil, Kodumbalur – History

Kodumbalur was mentioned as Kodumbai lying in the trade route between Uraiyur and Madurai in the Tamil epic Silapathikaram. The route taken by Kovalan, hero of Silapathikaram, with his wife Kannagi. Kodumbalur is considered as the birthplace of Idangazhi Nayanar, one of the Irukku Velir chieftains who served under the Chola kings. The Irunkovel line of kings ruled over Ko Nadu identified with the Kodumbalur and surrounding areas in ancient Tamilakam.

Irunkovel clan is said to have been descended from the Yadavas of Dwarka, who migrated to South India with the sage Agastya. Sangam literature mentions a chieftain called Irunkovel who could trace his lineage back over 49 generations to residence in Thuvarai (Dwaraka). He is later defeated by Karikala and becomes a subordinate to the Chola sovereign. Kodumbalur was a battlefield between Pallavas and Pandyas in the 8th century CE in which both sides claimed victory.

Later, Irukkuvel became a powerful ally of the Cholas in the 9th - 10th centuries. Also, Kodumbalur became an important commercial centre from 9th century as the Manigramam, an early type of trade guild is found active here. Bhuti Vikrama Kesari was ruling over Kodumbalur in 9th century CE. He is stated to have defeated the Pallavas and the PandyasBhuti Vikrama Kesari is identified with Tennavan Ilangovel, feudatory of the Chola king Aditya I. Daughter of BhutiNangai, was married to the Chola prince Arikulakesari, son of Parantaka I.

The temple complex was built by Kodumbalur Velir chief Bhuti Vikrama Kesari as per the Sanskrit inscription found on the southern wall of the central shrine. He named the central shrine after himself and the two flanking ones after his queens Karrali and VaragunaThe inscriptions in the temple also gives us a glimpse of the political climate of south India between the 8th and the 10th centuries as well as the relation between the royal houses of Chola and the Irukkuvel.

The Irukkuvel were traditional allies of the Cholas and the chief, Bhuti Vikrama Kesari himself was the son of a Chola princess Anupama and Irukkuvel chieftain Samarabhirama. Periyapuranam provides a reference of Konnatukkodi Nagaram (apex town of Konadu) for Kodumbalur. The temple complex is maintained and administered by the Archaeological Survey of India as a ticketed monument.