Ranganatha Perumal Temple,
Singavaram – History
Singavaram
could be the ancient Simhapura, the capital of Simhapuranadu. Simhapuranadu is
assumed to be founded by Simha Vishnu Pallava or Narasimha Pallava I or
Rajasimha Pallava (Narasimha Varma Pallava II). Hence, few people consider this
temple might be built by them. As per the Mandagapattu inscription, the Pallava
king, Mahendravarman I established the tradition of the Ranganatha temple.
This
cave temple is believed to be built by Mahendravarman I based on its
architectural style. Singavaram Hill is said to have been originally
a centre of Jainism. Several Jain rock cuts and sculptures can
be found around Singavaram. An inscription of Kopperunjinga (a Kadava chieftain) in the Singavaram
temple mentions the deity is Thiruppanrikkunru Emperuman possibly
meaning a shrine intended for Varaha Perumal.
Lord Ranganatha is said to have been the tutelary Lord
of Gingee and the personal deity of Raja Desingu. There is an interesting
connection between the Ranganatha
Swamy Temple in Singavaram and the Ranganatha
Swamy Temple in Srirangam. When the temple town of Srirangam
was attacked by Ulugh Khan’s army in 1323 AD., the Utsava idol of Srirangam,
Azhagiyamanavalan or Namperumal was taken out of this temple for safety to
various places in South India.
Gopanna, a Vijayanagara official who had his residence
in Gingee went to Tirumala where the images of Azhagiyamanavalan and consorts
were worshipped and took them to Singapuram
(Singavaram) where they were worshipped. He subsequently brought the
images to Srirangam
where they were reinstated in 1371 AD.
