History of Arulala Perumal Temple

Like Adavalleswarar temple regarding the origin of the Arulala Perumal temple of Munnjur is also surrounded in Mystery. The Sthalapurana^[1] and the tradition of this temple also state something about is origin but they are also illusory in character like the Adavalleswarar temple. No doubt Arulala Perumal temple at Munnjur is also one of among the most ancient Vaishnava temples of Tamil Country. It has also attained a unique place in the history of Vaishnavism in Thondaimandalam region. It is also closely associated with the Pallava monarchs. This Arulala Perumal temple has also been renovated and restructured in many times.

Besides the name of the Presiding deity of the Vishnu temple is referred to in the inscriptional records as Sri Purushothamar and Chithiramezhi Vinnakar Emperumal.^[2] From this we can surmise that the expression Sri Purushothamar may be the earliest name of the presiding deity.^[3] Therefore the temple might have been built a small stone structure under the Pallavas. The same deity also mentions a Chithiramezhi who is identified with an Agrarian Trade Guild of the medieval period shows that the same temple might have undergone some renovation during the Cholas. It is learnt that the two names of the primal deity show the importance given to this Vishnu temple by the Pallavas and later on by the Cholas.

For nearly eleventh centuries from the Sangam age to Jatavarma Sundara Pandya (A.D.1251-1268 A.D.) references to this temple both literary and epigraphical are silent. This may be due to the renovation of this temple in a large scale during Jatavarma Sundara Pandya Period. From the time of Jatavarma Sundara Pandya (A.D.1251 to 1268 A.D.) to that of the Vijayanagar period this temple preserve only three epigraphs. From the earliest available inscription of this temple it is learnt that this huge temple which was received its extension and reconstruction in a large scale in the hands of Jatavarma Vira Pandya who was a governor in the northern part of the Pandya empire may be regarded as one of the brothers of Jatavarma Sundara Pandya I.

Therefore the exact date of this temple construction is not easy to arrive at a conclusion as it has undergone several renovations. It is very difficult to determine that how many times the Arulala Perumal temple was reconstructed and it is not easy to understand on the basis of this present renovated from. The Pallava the Chola and the Pandya patronization is amply attested by the architectural representations and motifs found in this temple. Thus the architectural style also clearly states that the Arulala Perumal temple might have changed in to a small stone structure during the Pallava period and the same temple might have extended under the Chola as in the case of Adavalleswarar temple. To whom contributed this temple for extension and renovation is also shrouded in mystery.

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

G. Uthiradam, Munnur Adavalleeswarar, Arulala perumal Thirukoil varalaru, Chennai, 2013, p. 38.

[2]:

Ibid.,

[3]:

A.R.E., 93 of 1919.