Early Chola Temples
by S. R. Balasubrahmanyam | 1960 | 105,501 words
This volume of Chola Temples covers Parantaka I to Rajaraja I in the timeframe A.D. 907-985. The Cholas of Southern India left a remarkable stamp in the history of Indian architecture and sculpture. Besides that, the Chola dynasty was a successful ruling dynasty even conquering overseas regions....
Temples in Emapperur
Emapperur is in the Tirukkoyilur taluk of the South Arcot district in Tamilnadu. There is an ancient temple in this town called now the Vedapurisvara; but according to the local inscriptions the Lord of the temple was known as Tiruvalandurai udaiya Paramasvamin.
Vedapurisvara temple
On the south wall of the mandapa in front of the central shrine, there are two inscriptions of Parantaka I. One of his 35th regnal year mentions a gift of land for rearing a flower-garden to supply daily a garland (six spans long) to the god. The other of his 36th year concerns a gift of nine kalanju of gold for a lamp (A.R. no. 527 and 525 of 1921).
There are two inscriptions of Kannaradeva. One of his 23rd year mentions a gift of 45 sheep for half a lamp by the same donor who made a gift in the 36th year of Parantaka I. The other of the 27th year makes provision also for a perpetual lamp (A.R. no. 526 and 529 of 1921).
An inscription of the 14th year of the Rajarajakesarivarman—very likely Rajaraja I—mentions a gift of land for offerings and lamp by the Chief of Panaippakkam •to the metallic images of Tribhuvana Sundarar and his consort set up by him in the temple of Tiruvalan-durai Alvar (A.R. no. 515 of 1921).
This temple retains the mandapa which belonged to the early Chola age. It seems that its original central shrine might have been renovated.