Second Pandya empire

The importance given to Vaishnavism in Munnjur Arulala Perumal temple by Jatavarma Vira Pandya is attested by inscription. The earliest available inscription^[1] of Jatavarma Vira Pandya dated in his 10^th regnal year (A.D.1260) is found on the north side wall of the Mahamandapa of the Arulala Perumal temple, Munnjur. His Prasasti begins with Swasthi Sri Kochchadayapanma Tiribhuvana Chakaravarthi who is indentified with Jatavarama Sundra Pandya I. From this it is learnt that during his reign Jatavarama Sundra Pandya I Munnjur under Oima Nadu of Vijayarajendra Chola Valanadu in Jayankonda Chola Mandalam was annexed to later Pandya country. The inscription also mentions that the Pandya Governor Jatavarma Vira Pandya made certain villages as Thirunamathu kani meaning the tax free villages as gift to Presiding deity viz., Munnjur, Pitakai, and Singavanendal. All the three compiled villages also renamed as Sri Purushothama Nallur.^[2] The record further states that all the income of the wet lands, dry lands, Puravadai lands and Eripuravadai lands of the above mentioned Sri Purushothama Nallur were donated as tax free gift to the Primal deity Chithiramezhi Vinnakar Emperumal alais Munnjur Sri Purushothamar. From the above mentioned sources it is infer that the donated villages were to be treated as capital source for the maintenance and conducting daily pujas of the temple. It is clearly revels from the expression Mudhalandanga Iraiyili. These capital resources was entrusted to Chandiradhithevar^[3] the temple Brahmin priest for conducting the rituals and pujas to the Primal deity.

From this we can infer that the expression of the Presiding deity Chithiramezhi who is identified with an Agrarian Trade Guild during the medieval period. It is learnt that the name of the Presiding deity shows the significance of the Merchandile community existed at Munnjur which is very near to Marakkanam a coastal busiest harbor during the ancient period and its continuation in the medieval period as well.