Malaiya Kovil Temple Complex –
History
Malaiya
Kovil is considered as the defacto border between Chola and Pandyan Kingdom.
It is said that the southern cave temple is facing towards Chola country (west)
as it was built by the Cholas and the eastern cave temple is facing towards
Pandyan country (east) as it was built by the Pandyas. There are about three inscriptions
in the southern rock cut cave temple.
The earliest inscription is
dated to the 10th regnal year of Kulothunga Chola II (1143 CE)
records a sale deed. The Village was mentioned as Kulamangalam and the
presiding deity as Thiruvokalisvaramudaiya Nayanar in the inscription. The
inscription on the western wall of the maha mandapa belongs to 18th Century
CE records an endowment made to the deity. The Village was mentioned as Navalur
and the presiding deity as Kaliswaramudya Nayanar in the inscription.
The other inscription on the
western pillar is illegible. There is an inscription written in grantha script
can be seen on the southern side of the eastern cave temple. It mentions about
a musical instrument Veena named Parivathini. An inscription of Kulasekara Pandya
can be seen on the door steps of the eastern cave temple.
Lord
Shiva was called as Srivaramudaiya Nayanar in the inscription. The hill temple was built by a native of
Nachandupatti towards the close of the 19th century as per the
inscription near the flight of steps. The Temple was called as Malayil Kovil
(Temple in the hill) in ancient times. Now, it got corrupted to Malaiya Kovil.
Malaiya Kovil was also called as Orukkombu Malai. Kurinchi Kotha Naaval
Kurichi, Thirunavalangiri, Thiruvothikkaal in ancient times.