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Monday, August 9, 2021

Bhoologanathar Temple, Thirumangalam – Inscriptions

Bhoologanathar Temple, Thirumangalam – Inscriptions

There is an inscription dated to the tenth regnal year of Tribhuvana Chakravartin Konerinmaikondan on the south wall of this temple. It records gift of land for the construction of new compound wall, gateway and other renovation activities by a person named Kanitha Chakravathi to this temple located at Rajarajan Thirumangalam in Virudaraja Bayankara Valanadu.

An inscription dated to the sixth regnal year of Kulothunga Chola III can be found on the north wall of this temple. It records the damages caused to the lands by the breach of a lake called Vikrama Chozha Pereri due to the cyclone. The inscription further records the reassignment of lands belonging to several temples and individuals due to the damages caused by the floods.

There is an inscription dated to Kulothunga Chola III found on the eastern wall of the temple. It records gift of land for the worship of Vikrama Chozheeswarar in this temple at Rajarajan Thirumangalam, in Kurukkai Naadu, a subdivision of Virudaraja Bayankara Valanadu by Kasyapan Tirunattamadi Avimuktheeswaram Udaiyan (Ananda Nayaka Bhattan).

There are label inscriptions in three pillars in this temple. It probably represents the donors or important persons. Mathala Perumal is inscribed for the figure shown beating a drum, Bhoga Mathali (Bhuvana Nayagi Manikkam) and Yetri (Veera Perumal Manikkam) for the female figures. An inscription dated to the reign of Jadavarman Sundara Pandyan (1250 – 1268 CE) records the conclusion of caste disputes between Valangai and Idangai castes.

There is an inscriptional slab in front of the Thirumanancheri Madhyaneswarar Temple. It records a gift of land made to the Vikrama Chozheeswarar Temple at Rajarajan Thirumangalam. A sula (spear) is engraved at the top of the inscription. The inscriptions in the temple records the existence of Rajendra Chozheeswaram Temple at Thirumangalam, Thiruvaleeswaram Temple at Azhinchi Mangalam,  Avimuktheeswaram and Veera Rajendra Chozheeswaram in nearby villages.