Early Chola Temples

by S. R. Balasubrahmanyam | 1960 | 105,501 words

This volume of Chola Temples covers Parantaka I to Rajaraja I in the timeframe A.D. 907-985. The Cholas of Southern India left a remarkable stamp in the history of Indian architecture and sculpture. Besides that, the Chola dynasty was a successful ruling dynasty even conquering overseas regions....

Temples in Siddhalingamadam

Siddhalingamadam is in the Tirukkoyilur taluk of South Arcot district, 5 miles (8.05 km.) to the southwest of Tirukkoyilur. The Vyaghrapadesvara temple in this village seems to be a foundation of the days of Parantaka I.

Vyaghrapadesvara temple

There are three inscriptions of Madiraikonda Para-kesari, of the 7th, 22nd and 25th years (respectively, 390, 376 and 387 of 1909). The one of the 7th year concerns a gift of gold for two lamps, and that of his 25th year records a gift of land for providing music on the three occasions of worship every day. Thus it is clear that the temple was in existence even in the early years of Parantaka I.

There are three inscriptions of Kannaradeva alias Krishna III, of the 5th, 18th and 24th years (respectively, 375,370 and 385 of 1909). These records as well as those of Parantaka I are perhaps copies of earlier original inscriptions, re-engraved after the renovation of the temple in the days of Kulottunga I. The date of the inscription of the 5th year of Kannaradeva (a.d. 945) is not reliable since this date falls before the battle of Takkolam (a.d. 949) which is rendered impossible by the contents of the inscription.

Two inscriptions in Sanskrit verses (367 and 369 of 1909) mention that the ruler of Manavil, called variously Sabha-nartaka, Kalinga-raja and Manavatara and described as a minister of Rajendra (II) who should also be identified with Naralokaviran, minister and general of Kulottunga I alias Rajendra, built a stone-temple here for Lord Siva consisting of a vimana, a prakara and a mandapa at the agrahara called Siddha-linga for the Lord worshipped by the sage Vyaghrapada.

The temple of the days of Parantaka I should thus have been renovated in the days of Kulottunga I.

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