VELUDHARAN TEMPLES VISIT : Thirukachinerikaraikadu , Thirumalpur Temples, Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu.

Wednesday, 21 March 2018

Thirukachinerikaraikadu , Thirumalpur Temples, Kanchipuram District, Tamil Nadu.

18^th March 2018.

We 5 persons from "Chozha Mandala Varalatru Thedal Kuzhu" visited the Kachinerikaaraikkadu and Thirumalperu on 18^th March 2018, in search of inscriptions connected to Chozha History. Had been to these temples earlier in connection with Padal Petra Sthalangal darshan.

THIRU KACHINERIKAARAIKADU.

This, Sri Sathyanatha Swamy temple is one of the Padal Petra Shiva Sthalam, believed to have been reconstructed as a stone temple during the Rajendra Chozha period. The adhistanam has the inscriptions of Rajendra Chozha – I, his son Rajathirajan, who died on the elephant in the Thakkolam war, with the title “Thingalortharu Thanrongkal”, Rajendra –II, who defeated Melai Chalukyas in Koppam war with the title as “Thirumathu Puviyenum”, Rajendra Chozha's grandson and the last King of Chozha empire Athirajendran with the title as “Thingaler Malarnthu Venkudai”

It was sad to see the inscriptions discontinued at some points by inserting stone blocks without inscriptions during renovations during the Nayak period. Koshta murtis are added at a later stage by placing pillars on the inscriptions, especially Dakshinamurthy. The paint applied and the oil lamp burned for the kosta Murthy’s added more difficulty to read the inscriptions.

While taking some pictures of inscriptions, happened to see Buddha bas reliefs on the two pillars. Dust, water, and oil deposited on one of the reliefs could not be identified easily.

Buddha

THIRUMALPERU.

This, Sri Manikandeswar temple is also a Padal petra Shiva Sthalam of Thondai Nadu. It was said that the original inscriptions were copied in the year 1905 by the Archaeological Department. During the renovations in 1936 all the inscription stones were not fitted in the original places, instead, they were used as floor slabs around, Rishabam, balipeedam, and Dwajasthambam. With great difficulty, we could trace the name of Mathuranthakan Kandarathithan and the title of Rajaraja Chozha.

Since this temple comes under the control of the HR & CE department, request them to take out these inscription slabs and install them someplace so that it will benefit the younger generations to know the History of this temple and the Kings who contributed to this temple. Thanks to Dr. Udhaya Shankar, Mr. Andvar Kani, Miss Harini, and Mrs Radha for this Heritage Visit.