Ukthavedeeswarar Temple,
Kuthalam – History
The
temple is believed to be built in 5th
century CE. The brick structure was completely converted to granite
structure by Queen Chembian Madevi, wife of Gandaraditya Chola & mother of
Uthama Chola. The temple was later extensively renovated by Pandyas,
Vijayanagara Kings and Nayak rulers. The
place was called as Thiruthuruthi
/ Choleeswaram in ancient times. It was called as Thiruthuruthi
(Thuruthi means Island) as it was a riverine island in ancient times.
The
place was called as Veenguneer Thiruthuruthi and
Lord Shiva was called as Veenguneer Thiruthuruthi Udaya Mahadevar, Thirukatrali
Mahadevar & Sonnavararivar in the inscriptions available in this
temple. Inscriptions dating back
to the reigns of Chola Kings Rajaraja Chola 1, Rajendra Chola I, Kulothunga
Chola III & Rajendra Chola III and Vijayanagara Kings Krishna Devaraya
& Kampanna Udaiyar are found in this
temple.
Most of these inscriptions
records the gifts & grants for the maintenance of the
temple, taxes levied, for conducting rituals & festivals,
feeding brahmins & Shiva Yogis and renovation activities carried out in the
temple. The last
consecration ceremony of the
temple took place on 01 February 1960. This
Temple is considered as one of the 27 temples which comes under the
administrative control of the Dharumapuram Aadheenam.
