Vahisvaramudayar Temple,
Malayadipatti – History
This cave temple is considered older than the adjacent
Pallikonda Perumal temple. An inscription dated to the 16th regnal year
of the Pallava King Dantivarman (795 – 846 CE) records that Videl Vidugu Mutharaiyan
also called as Kuvavan Satthan, a feudatory under Pallava King Dantivarman had excavated this temple from Tiruvalathur Malai.
He installed a Lingam and named it as Vahisvaramudayar. The hill was recorded
as Tiruvalathur hill in the Pallava inscription and recorded as
Tiruvayamalai in Nayaga era inscriptions. There are several inscriptions
recorded in this cave temple.
There is a label inscription on a rock to the north
east of this temple. The inscription read as Sri Kaikkatti and can be assigned
to early 7th century CE. There is an illegible inscription dated to
the 40th regnal year of a Chola King can be seen on a pillar on the
mandapa in front of the sanctum. The hill name Tiruvalathur can be read from
the inscription rest others are not legible. There is an inscription dated to
24th regnal year of Kulothunga Chola III can be found on a pillar of
the mandapa in front of the sanctum. It records the taxes levied on
agricultural activities. Vijayanagara period inscriptions can also be seen in
this temple.
There is an interesting inscription recording a story
of one Avudaiyan Thevan of Puchikudi. Once, he visited the house of dancing
girl at Thirunedunkulam. He returned home later and found his wife with a
brahman. Out of rage, he killed both and lost his eyesight for the heinous
crime he committed. He visited this temple, worshipped Lord Vagishvara & goddess
Vadivullamangai and regained his eyesight. In gratitude, he donated all his
property to Lord Vagishvara. He proclaimed in the inscription that if anyone
does any harm to this endowment will acquire the of killing a cow on the banks
of Ganga.
