Rajaraja II (A.D. 1150-1163 A.D.)

Next to Kulottunga II his son Parakesari Thirubhuvana Chakravarthi Rajaraja II (A.D.1150–1163 A.D) came to the Chola throne. The royal patronage of Chola Rajaraja II is proved by four of his inscription of this temple. An inscription^[1] of Rajaraja II issued in his 7^th regnal year (1156A.D.) is found on the east wall of the Mahamandapa of Sri Mulasthana Mudaiyar shrine.This record mentions the gift of 500 Kulis of land from Emapperur alais Madurantaga Nallur by one Mekaman Pallavarayan of Thirukovilur a Setherayan^[2] feudatory chieftain of the Cholas for burning a perpetual lamp in the shrine of the Presiding deity.

This land gift was made by Mekaman Pallavarayan of Thirukovilur for his son in law Setherayan who committed his Kaipizhaipahattan^[3] meaning a misappropriation of his sward caused a death to a person known as Eran. In order to relieve from the mistake or error the donor donated the land for burning the perpetual lamp to relieve from this sin. Moreover the land donations were made not only to attain religious merits but also relieved themselves from their sins. This responsibility of the divine deed was entrusted to the temple Brahmanas viz., Bharathuvaji Kuthadi Bhattan and his brothers Sivalogamudayan Bhattan, Dakshinamurthi Bhattan as well.

From above mentioned inscription it is clear that the Adavalleswarar temple at Munnjur is one of the most ancient and significant temples in South India. It has a unique place in the history of Saivism. It is not only closely associated with the Cholas but also to the feudatories viz., Pallavarayas and Setherayars.

Another inscription of the Chola Rajaraja II^[4] issued in his 14^th regnal year (A.D.1163) is found on the western side wall of the Mahamandapa of the shrine. This record mentions a business man Kadavuzhon Devan Udaiyan^[5] belongs to Rajasinghapuram of Thirumunaipadi Nadu, under Rajaraja Valanadu made a gift of nine gold coins for burning a santhi lamp to the Presiding deity Sri Mulasthanamudaiyar of the central shrine. These gifts of nine gold^[6] coins were entrusted to Siva Brahmanas of Kaniyalar.^[7] Here Kaniyalar refers to the temple priest who conducted the rituals in the central shrine. From this we can infer that the priests of the central shrine also agreed to burn the santhi lamp which was made on the special occasion in the month of Karthigai on the auspicious Karthigai star day.^[8]

It is from the deed of the gift of gold coins, the temple priest who were known as Kaniyalar conducted the daily rituals and offerings of the Primal deity. The priest clan also kept the donation made by the donors and agreed to burn the santhi lamp to the main deity on the auspicious days without fail. More over the priest class existed in the temple complex done their ritualistic work without fail. Therefore the Kings, the royal clans, the officials and the individuals entrusted the offerings and rituals to the temple priests. Thus the temple received the religious significance not only from rulers and officials but also the merchant class.

The development of Munnur Adavalleswarar temple by Rajaraja II^[9] is revealed by his third epigraph. Issued in his 15^th regnal year (A.D.1164) is found on the western side wall of the Mahamandapa of the shrine. One Ariyan Andan Kamalakara Bhattan,^[10] setup an image of Vishveswara Devar^[11] on the western side of the prakara of this temple complex as a parivara deity. Further this record mentions the gift of nine gold coins for burning the santhi lamp in every day in this sub-shine. The expression Prathishttai^[12] is identified with the construction of the sub-shrine of Vishveswarar during the time of Rajendra II. From this it is clear that the Brahmin Bhattar in the name of his royal patron Chola Rajaraja II consecrated a Vishveswarar image in the Parivara Alayaas a Parivara deity. After its construction, gold coins were entrusted to the Siva Brahmans to conduct the rituals and burning the santhi^[13] lamp every day to the Vishveswarar sub-shine of the temple. Further this record also says that nine gold coins were also donated for the daily offerings of the Vishveswarar deity. It indicates that the donations given to the temple may be a sufficient amount to manage to conduct the daily offerings without fail.

The importance given to Saivism in Munnjur by Rajaraja II is revealed by his fourth epigraph^[14] issued in his 18^th regnal year (A.D.1167). The record is found on the north side wall of the Mahamandapa of the Primal deity. It registers a gift of a perpetual lamp and certain amount of land by one Naradi Aradan Panthiruvan Kana Rajendra Cholan Kooru.^[15] Here the expression kooru is identified with both land tax, tax collector as well. From this it is infer that a Revenue official or a tax collector donated this perpetual lamp to the presiding deity. The record further states that the temple Siva Bhramnas under Kuthadi Bhattan^[16] after received certain amount of land donation agreed for burning a perpetual lamp for half a day to the primal deity. The remaining half a day for burning a perpetual lamp was agreed by the temple Sivabrahamnas under Ramanatha Rajendra Chola Kodhu after received the 16 cows.^[17] From this record we can surmise that the Vishveswarar sub-shrine was established during the time of Rajaraja II in his 18^th regnal year (A.D.1167). The donations both certain amount of land and 16 cows were given for the purpose of burning a perpetual lamp in the Vishveswarar sub-shrine of the western Prakara of this temple.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Ibid.,

[2]:

Ibid.,

[3]:

A.R.E., 76 of 1919.

[4]:

Ibid.,

[5]:

Ibid.,

[6]:

Ibid.,

[7]:

Ibid.,

[8]:

A.R.E., 72 of 1919.

[9]:

Ibid.,

[10]:

Ibid.,

[11]:

Ibid.,

[12]:

Ibid.,

[13]:

A.R.E., 70 of 1919.

[14]:

Ibid.,

[15]:

Ibid.,

[16]:

Ibid.,

[17]:

A.R.E., 71 of 1919.