Temples of Munnur (Historical Study)
by R. Muthuraman | 2016 | 67,784 words
This essay represents a historical study of the Temples in and around Munnur, situated in the Dakshina Kannada district in the state Karnataka (India). Munnur is regarded as an important religious city for the followers of both Shaivism and Vaishnavism. The ancient history of Munnur traces to the reign of the Chola, from whom the city derives it's ...
Gajapathis of Kalinga
The next King to be represented in this temple is Kapileswara Kumaran Gajapathi of Kalinga. It is attested by his inscription. An inscription of Kapileswara Kumaran[1] son of Ambhiviran the Gajapathi ruler issued in the Saka year 1386 (A.D.1464) is found on the eastern side of Cella of the Arulala Perumal temple. The Prasisti begins with Swasti Sri Mallinatha Devagana is identified with Kapileswara Kumaran of Gajapathi.
The record also states that during the initial stage of his reign he invaded and annexed Kondaveedu, Kondapalli Padiveedu, Thiruvarur, Thiruchirappalli, Chandragiri and Thondaimandalam including Oima Nadu and Munnjur. From this we can infer that Munnjur, Oima Nadu and some portions of Thondaimandalam was under his control.
Further the record registers the gift of 1/5 of the land[2] share of village Munnjur except the Devadana, Thiruvilayattam and Dinakayanda Siyana Mettukudi to the Primal deity Chithiramezhi Vinnakara Perumal alias Purushothamar to celebrate the festival occasion of Aham Vira Pogam[3] and other maintenance of the temple.
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
Ibid.,
[2]:
Ibid.,
[3]:
K.A. Nilakanta Sastri, Further Sources of Vijayanagara History, Madras, 1946, pp. 70-71.