Temples in Palur (Palaiyur)

Palur or Palaiyur is in the Chingleput taluk of the district of the same name. There is an ancient temple here, whose deity is called Patangesvara.

Patangesvara temple

There are a number of old inscriptions in this temple. The earliest ones, found on the west and south walls of the central shrine, relate to Rajakesarivarman alias Chakravartin Kulottunga Chola deva (I), dated in his 31st and 38th regnal years respectively; the former (ARE 26 of 1932-33) commences with the introduction pugal sulnda punari and registers a sale of land as tax-free madappuram, by the Uravar of Palaiyur alias Rajendrasola-nallur in Palaiyur nadu, a subdivision of Urruk-kattu kottam in Jayangondasola mandalam, to a native of Rajendra-solapuram in Maiyur nadu of Kalattur kottam and to a native of Kanchipuram, for the maintenance of a matha called Valmaravan matha established by them for feeding brahmanas, tapasvins and destitutes. The latter commences with the introduction pugal madu vilanga after a few words beginning with virame tunaiya-gavum, and registers a gift of oil made by the Nagarattars of Rajendra-solapuram in Maiyur nadu, a subdivision of Kalattur kottam, for a perpetual lamp in the temple of ‘Tiruppatangadudaiya Mahadevar of Rajendrasolanallur in Palaiyur nadu’. We may, therefore, conclude that though there is no foundation inscription, the structure of this temple came into existence by about the 31st year of Kulottunga I (i.e., a.d. 1101) and that the deity bore essentially the same name which it does now. There is another record belonging to the 29th year (364th day) of Tribhuvana-chakravartin Konerinmaikondan alias ‘Kulottunga Chola deva who was pleased to take Madurai, Karuvur, Ilam and the crowned head of the Pandya’ (i.e., Kulottunga III), which registers the royal orders issued at the instance of one Nayidaraiyar, remitting certain taxes in kind and coin due on some devadana lands belonging to the temple of Tiruppatangadu Udaiyar for worship and repairs therein. The document is signed by nine officers including the royal secretary.

There is a mandapa in front of the central shrine on whose walls there are a number of inscriptions ranging from the days of Vikrama Chola through Kulottunga III and Rajaraja III to the Vijayanagara period. The record of Vikrama Chola makes provision in his fifth regnal year for feeding apurvins in the matha called Acharasilan matha on Amavasya days by a resident of Kurichchi in Pandikulasani valanadu, a district of Chola mandalam. One of the Vijayanagara records mentions that provision was made for repairs to the temple and for the maintenance of dancing masters and drummers of the temple.