Sundareswarar Temple,
Thirukattalai – Inscriptions
There are few inscriptions found in this
temple. This place is referred as Thirukatrali and Karkurichi in
inscriptions. The earliest inscription is dated to the third regnal year of Aditya
Chola I (871-907 CE). This inscription is found in the north wall of the
sanctum. It is damaged and incomplete. It records gift of land made to this
temple. There is an inscription dated to the second regnal year of
Parantaka Chola I in the south wall of the sanctum. It records gift of land
made to this
temple. Lord Shiva of this temple was mentioned as Thirukatrali
Azhwar of Karkurichi in this inscription.
Another inscription dated to the ninth regnal year of
Parantaka Chola I on the south wall of the sanctum records a gift of gold coins
and a lamp for maintaining perpetual lamp in this
temple. Another inscription dated to the 35th regnal year
of Parantaka Chola I on the south wall of the sanctum records a gift of land in
Terrallur by the Ur of Karkurichi as Taruvilappuram to the temple of
Perumanadigal in the same village.
There is an inscription dated to the ninth regnal year
of Kulothunga Chola I in the south wall of the sanctum. It records the death of
Bogendra Singa Peraraiyan of Karkurichi in the fight at Milattur. Palamandala Peraiyan
of Milattur and his brother Anukkan made a gift of 25 sheep for the supply of
ghee to light lamps in the
temple with the wish that the feuds might stop. Another inscription
dated to the tenth regnal year of Kulothunga Chola I on the south wall of the
sanctum records the meikeerthi and registers a gift of land to the
temple by Rajendra Chola Mangala Nadalvan of Karkurichi.
Another inscription dated to the 48th regnal
year of Kulothunga Chola I on the north wall of the sanctum records a gift of
land for maintaining one half of a perpetual lamp in the Mahadevar
temple at Karkurichi, by a Kallan of the village, Pappan Chendan (Kulottunga
Chola Mangala Nadalvan), in memory of another Kallan Amarpeti Kuppai. Another
inscription dated to the second regnal year of Kulothunga Chola I on the east
wall of the sanctum records that the members of Karkurichi made a gift of the
padikaval rights of Kalayamangalam to the god of the local temple.