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Thursday, June 24, 2021

Konar Temple, Thirumalpur – History

Konar Temple, Thirumalpur – History

The temple might have built during the transition period between Pallava & Cholas. The green stones used in building this temple are different from the locally available granite stones. Lord Vishnu of this temple is called as Ninrarulina Perumanadigal as per the inscriptions available in this temple. The temple contains inscriptions of  Paranthaka Chola I, Rajaraja Chola I, Sundara Chola, Uthama Chola, Parthivendravarman, Rajadhiraja Chola I and Kulothunga Chola III. 

Inscriptions dated to Parantaka Chola I were dated from his 12th to 41st regnal year. One inscription refers to the gift of a lamp by prince Parantaka Uthamasili, a son of Parantaka I. Another records the gift of a lamp by the Chola queen, Amanimadeviyar from Pandinadu to Ninrarulina Perumanadigal at Govindapadi in Vallanadu, a sub division of Damar Kottam in Thondai Nadu.

The Chola queen Pallavan Madeviyar of Kunnathur in Umbala Nadu made a gift of a lamp to this deity as per the inscription dated to 31st regnal year of Parantaka Chola I. Another inscription dated to unknown regnal year of Parantaka Chola I records a gift to this Lord made by the Chola queen Panchavan Madevi. There are four inscriptions dated to Parthivendravarman, a Pallava chieftain under Cholas, who took the head of Vira Pandya in the famous Sevur battle.

All his inscriptions were dated from his 3rd to 13th regnal year. His inscriptions record the gift of gold by Vaidumbaraditta Brahmadhirajan, the building of a mandapa and purchase of land by the mahout of the king & donating to feed the priests in the mutt attached to the temple. There are two inscriptions dated to the 17th regnal year of Sundara Chola records donation of perpetual lamps. An inscription dated to the 14th regnal year of Uthama Chola records an idol of Manavala Perumal was installed and a gift was made for offerings to him.

An idol of Hanuman was installed, and provision was made for the recitation of Nammalvar Thiruvaimozhi in the temple as per the inscription dated to the 11th regnal year of Rajaraja Chola I. An inscription of Rajadhiraja mentions the Lord as Ninrarulina Perumal Uyyakkondalvar at Govindapadi. This temple is under the control of Archaeological survey of India (ASI).