Temples in Pallavarayanpettai (Kulattur)

Pallavarayanpettai is a village on the outskirts of Mayuram in the Tanjavur district. There is a temple here, now called that of Sundaresvara. The place as well as the temple would appear to be the creation of a great and powerful Minister of Rajaraja II, called Tiruch-Chirrambalam-Udaiyan Peruma(l)nambiyan alias Pallavarayan. Perhaps the place was named Kulattur in fond recollection of his native place called Karigai Kulattur (see below and also Appendixes 2 and 3 to the section), and the temple named Rajarajesvaram in honour of his royal patron.

Sundaresvara temple (Rajarajesvaram)

There are nine inscriptions, in the temple of the days of Rajaraja II, one of those of Rajadhiraja II, and one of those of the Pallava Kopperunjinga. One of the inscriptions of the days of Rajaraja II (ARE 427 of 1924) is the foundation inscription; its date is lost and could be any of the first ten years of his reign.

It records a gift of sheep for burning a lamp in the

“temple of Rajarajesvaram Udaiyar, which had been constructed at Kulattur in Tiruvindalur nadu, a sub-division of Rajadhiraja valanadu, by a certain Kulatturan Tiruch Chirrambalam Udaiyan Perumal-nambiyan alias Pallavarayan, a native ofKarigai-KuIattur in Siru-kunra nadu, a sub-division of Amur kottam in Jayangondasola mandalam.”

Another inscription, of the 10th year (ARE 434 of 1924), records a sale of land to the temple by two private individuals of Tiru-vudalur. A third, of the same 10th year, (with the pu maru-viya tirumadum introduction: ARE 431 of 1924), records the gift of some lands, tax-free, for offerings, worship and a flower-gardep to the temple of Rajarajesvaram udaiyar at Kulattur by “Pallavarayan by whom the temple had been built” (mentioned in ARE 427 of 1924). Thus, this temple, built by Pallavarayan, came into existence (was completed) by about a.d. 1155. Two inscriptions of the 14th regnal year refer to gifts of lamps (ARE 429 and 431 of 1924). There are four inscriptions (ARE 428, 430, 436 and 437 of 1924) of the 16th year (a.d. 1162): one of them records an agreement by a shepherd to burn lamps in the temple; others refer to gifts of land to the temple; the last-cited in particular mentions the sale of some land belonging to the adjacent Vishnu temple of Kirttinarayana Vinnagar Alvar to the Rajarajesvaram udaiyar temple.

The (chronologically) next record, on the south wall of the mandapa in front of the central shrine (ARE 433 of 1924), is historically very important. It belongs to the eighth year of Rajadhi-raja deva II (with the kadal sulnda par madarum introduction). It records the circumstances of the king’s coronation through the exertions of Tiruch-chirrambalam-udaiyan Perumal-nambiyan alias Pallavarayan, after the death of Rajaraja II. Pallavarayan appears to have been the chief among the trusted officers of Rajaraja II, enjoying the king’s confidence, honours and preference. Rajaraja II died at the height of his power, leaving behind him two infants aged two years and one year respectively. The times were potentially insecure and perilous. The infants were transported from Ayirattali^[1] to a place of safety in Rajarajapuram.^[2] After a thorough enquiry and study of the claims of the next of kin of the late king, Pallavarayan raised to the Chola throne Edirilip-perumal, son of Neri-udaip-perumal and grandson of Vikrama Chola, who had been designated by Rajaraja II himself to succeed him; the new ruler was invested with the title Rajadhiraja (II) in the fourth year of his reign (nalam tirunak-shatram) with the unanimous approval of the chiefs retinue on council (udankuttam) and of the whole nadu. Some overt as well as covert opposition continued to be there, and Pallavarayan carefully guarded the royal infant heirs and maintained law and order in the kingdom.

It was also at this time that Kulasekhara Pandya was driven out of his kingdom by a rival who was supported by the Sinhalese (Ceylonese). Kulasekhara sought and received Chola help for the restoration to him of his throne. The Ceylonese Generals (dandanayakas) were defeated and killed and their heads nailed to Madurai’s gateway. Arrangements were in full swing for the restoration of Kulasekhara, when, as ill-luck would have it, Pallavarayan fell ill and died. This was a big blow to the Chola king who lost an able, loyal and trusted Minister and General at a critical point. In recognition of his invaluable services to the royal family, his estate (kani) of 40 velis of tax-free land at Solendra-singa-nallur in Kurukkainadu, a sub-division of Virudaraja-bhayankara valanadu, was redistributed within the circle of his relatives, by royal order. Besides, the mother, sister and other relations of Rajaraja II were also provided with lands: eight ma of land was given to the widowed queen and the children of Rajaraja II; to “the daughter of Vaippur Udaiyan”, mother of Rajaraja II, one veli of land was given, and two velis to his sister, “wife of Valiyur Udaiyan”, and her children. The services of P allav arayan, the pilot who ably weathered the political storm, were suitably and dutifully rewarded by a grateful ruler. The work of distribution of the lands covered by the grant was entrusted to Palaiyanur udaiyan Vedavanam udaiyan Am-maiyappan alias Pallavarayan of Men-malai Palaiyanur in Jayangondasola mandalam, who succeeded the late Pallava-rayan as Chief Minister. Pallavarayanpettai and the temple of Rajarajesvaram are a fitting memorial to a loyal and talented General and Administrator who ably held office at a critical juncture in Chola history. (For further details on these two generals, see Appendix 1 to this section.) (Pls. 261-70).

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

This Ayirattali is not to be confused with its namesake alias Niyamam (modern Nemam) in Tanjavur district. It was part of the secondary Chola capital of Palayarai—the successor of Nandipuram of the Pallavas.

[2]:

Modern Darasuram (Tanjavur district): it was the Chola capital during the days of Rajaraja 11—vide Ottakkuttar’s Takkayagapparani.