Wednesday, October 6, 2021

Gnanapureeswarar Temple, Thiruvadisoolam – History

Gnanapureeswarar Temple, Thiruvadisoolam – History

The temple was built by Pallava Emperor Parameswaravarman I (670 – 695 CE). There are about 15 inscriptions recorded in this temple. The place was called as Jayamkonda Chozhamandalathu Kalathur Kottathu Valanattu Thiruvidaichuram, Lord Shiva was called as Thiruvidaichuram Udayar & Thiruvidaichuramudaya Nayanar and Goddess Parvathy was called as Imayakodiammai as per the inscriptions in the temple.

The inscriptions are dated to the reigns of Kulothunga Chola I (1070 – 1122 CE), Vikrama Chola I (1118 – 1135 CE), Telugu Choda King Vijayaganda Gopala (1250 –1291 CE), Rajanarayana Sambuvarayar (1337 – 1373 CE) and Vijayanagara Kings Viruppanna, Bukka Raya II & Achyuta Raya. Most of the inscriptions records the gift & grants made to this temple and renovations activities carried out in this temple.

There is a palm leaf manuscript related to this temple available at the Government Oriental Manuscript Library (Anna Centenary Library). It records the contributions of Kulothunga Chola I made to this temple. It is said that the place housed a fort of two brothers Kandavarayan and Sendavarayan, Vanniyar Chieftains of the region. This temple is under the administrative control of Thirukazhukundram Sri Vedagiriswarar Devasthanam.