Feature Image Credits: Wikimedia Commons, Kathir News
A group of archeology enthusiasts have discovered the remains of an ancient temple believed to be of the Chozha era and dating back to the 12th century along the banks of Kollidam river.
These pillar remains were discovered during a search of the Mundanar temple located at Thirumanur in Ariyalur district. The temple is said to have existed on the Kollidam banks between present day Ariyalur and Thanjavur districts.
Retired officials belonging to the state archaeology department have deciphered the inscriptions on the pillars, which mention different irrigation canals and cultivable land parcels donated to the temple during the reign of Kulothunga Chozha I.
According to the retired archaeologists, the 6 feet high pillars were the gateway to the ancient temple of Sri Kailasam or Sri Rajendra Chozha Eeswaramudaiyar Temple located on the north bank of the Kollidam River. From the inscription, it was concluded that the town of Thirumanur was earlier known as Thiyagavalli Valanadu.
It also states that there was a ‘mandapam’ (hall) named Sankaranarayanan in front of the temple where village chiefs met and decided to cancel the tax on the Theppakulam, Nandavanam and land belonging to the temple. The temple had been maintained on the proceeds from these properties.
The retired archeologists also point out that they were intrigued by the detailing about the boundaries of the agricultural lands donated to the temple. Inscriptions mention that the irrigation canals that passed through the temple were called Madhurantakan Canal and Arinjayan Canal by the Chozha kings. After inspection, the inscriptions were taken from the temple and deposited in Thirumanur.
With inputs from Times of India