83

CHAPTER -III

SRIRANGAM DURING THE CHOLA PERIOD

The occupation of Tanjore by Vijayalaya Chola, the founder in 850 A.D.

and the construction of a temple over there marked the initial step in the rise of

the Imperial Chola to power in South India. Later his son Aditya I took the

opportuinity of Pallava king Aparajita and consolidated his territories 1

which

is confirmed by the Tirvalangadu plates.2

Thus the Cholas slowly carved out an

empire for themselves, a second time at Tanjore under a powerful monarch.

The Chola rulers from Vijayala to Rajaraja I can be regarded as the builders of

this great empire.3

According to the available literary evidences the nucleus of the temple

seems to have been in existence during the period of the Tamil Sangam, i. e.,

roughly. One of the early Chola kings of Uraiyur, a Killi Chola, seems to have

Prantaka I (907-955 A.D) succeeded his father Aditya- I

and he is credited with having conquered Ceylon but he suffered a crushing

defeat at the hands of the Rashtrakuta king Krishna III at Takkolam near

Arakonam, where in his son Rajadiyta was killed. Prantaka’s country ( present

Vellore and Tiruvannamalai districts and adjoining areas) was invaded by the

Rashtrakutas and he was forced to fall back on Tanjore and Tiruchirappalli

districts at Srirangam. But Adiyta II later regained all the lost territories as

Krishna III was forced to concentrate his attention in the north.

1. E. I., Vol. IX, 88; Madras Epigraphical Reports (M.E.R.) , Part II, 1906, Para 10

and 16.

2. S.I.I., Vol.VII, No. 205.

3. Krishnaswami Aiyangar, S., Ancient India, Madras, 1911, p. 98

84

founded the temple. The earliest inscription in the temple belong to the Chola

of the Tenth Century. Rajamahendra Chola (1060-1063), a son of Rajendra II ,

is said to have built the second prakara wall, and the enclosure so formed is

called Rajamahendran Tiruvidi. During this period the early Vaisnava

Acharyas, Viz., Nathahmuni, Uyyakondar, Manakkal Nambi and Alavandar

were active in Srirangam. They were not only propagating the Vaisnava faith

but were controlling the affairs of the Srirangam temple. Ramanuja, the

founder of Visistadvaita, made Srirangam his headquarters and reorgaised the

administration of the temple. He was forced to go out from Srirangam to the

Country of the Hoysalas by a persecuting Chola, called Krimikanda Chola,

who entitled with Kutottunga II (1070-1120).

In this Chapter are traced the fortunes of the Srirangam covering the

period form 10th

to the 12th

Centuries, from 924 A.D. the date of the earliest

Chola inscripttions in the temple, to 1178 A.D. the close of the reign of

Rajathiraja II, when the Chola began to ecline and the Pandyas rose to power.

This was an eventful period in the history of the temple. Srirangam became the

headquarters of the Vaishnava movement under the resourceful Acharyas, the

greatest of whom was Ramanuja. The latter was both the Vaishnava pontiff and

the warden of the temple. Numerous inscriptions in the temple of the Chola

kings of this period detailing their gifts and benefactions. They do not throw

any direct light on the activities of the Acharyas, for which tradition as

85

recorded in the Guruparamparai is the only source. But in this period the

temple grew in wealth and resources.4

The Chola ruler Vijayalaya revived the Chola power and Tiruchirappalli

region became a part of the Chola Empire with the Srirangam area

Aditya I (871-907 A.D.)

5. The

Imperial Cholas established their power under Vijayalaya (850- 871) aroud 850

A.D. Vijayalaya made his capital at Tanjore and built a temple for

Nisumpasudari at the capital city. Vijayalaya was succeeded by his son Aditya-

I. He ascended to the Chola throne in the 870 A.D6. An inscription of this king

dated in the 4th

year and 89th

day of the reign of Rajakesarivaraman who may

be identified with Aditya -I (871-907 A.D)7

Record the resolution (Jayasthai i.e. Vyavastha) of the Perunguri-Sabha

of Srirangam the terms of which were as follows: From the commencement of

the King’s 5th

year the devadana lands should be properly managed without

allowing the growth of pests and weeds. Otherwise the varikar in charge of the

pandaram the karanam in charge of accounts should be liable to a fine of 25

kalanju gold individually in favour of the lamp service of the temple and they

should be replaced by new incumbents.

.

8

This irscription is placed right at the entrance into threshing floor in the

fourth prakara of the Ranganatha temple. The second inscription registers an

4. Hari Rao, V.N., Srirangam Temple Art and Architecture, Tirupati, 1967, p. 3.

5. Ibid., p.48.

6. Nilakanta Sastri,K.A., The Colas, Madras, 1955, p.45.

7. A.R.E., 69 of 1892.

8. Mahalingarn, T.V., A Topographical List of Inscriptions in the Tamilnadu and Kerala

States, Vol. VIII, New Delhi, 1991,pp.10-12.

86

endowment 90 Kalanju of semmai gold by puittadigal, son of karaal

vilupperaraiyar arivaladigal, towards the feeding of four Brahmanas. The sabha

of Tiruvarangam (Srirangam) undertakes to supply 1120 kalams of ripe

annually measured out with the measure called sennadaikkal for the interest on

the endowed amount9

The earliest Chola inscription in the Srirangam temple is dated in the

17th year of Parantaka- I (A.D.907-955). It registers a gift of 30 gold pieces for

a permanent lamp. 40 for camphor, one for cotton wick besides the gift of a

silver lamp-stand made to the temple. The Sabha of Tiruvarangam took charge

of the endowments. The donor was one Sankaran Ranasingan.

.

Parantaka- I (905-955 A.D)

10The next

inscription is dated in the 38th

year of the same king and it registers a gift of

100 kalanju of gold for the Tirumanjanam (holy bath) of Sriranganatha by the

Sahasradarai (1000 holed) plate. The donor was one Pallavaraiyan. This gift

too was entrusted to the Sabha of Tiruvarangarn.11

Another inscription of this

king dated in his 41st

year records a gift of two plots of land by a certain

Acciyan Bhattan Sri Sri Vasudevan Cakrapani of Peruvengur (in Vila-nadu)

for cake offerings to the God of Srirangam on the ekadasi day during the

Panguni festival in the temple.12

9 . S.I.I., Vol. XXIV, No. 2.

10. A.R.E., 72 of 1892; S.I.I. Vol. IV, No.519.

11. Ibid., 71 of 1892; S.I.I., Vol. IV, No.518.

12. Ibid., 95 of 1936-1937.

87

The inscription registers13

a gift of some jewels by Thananjan narayanan

of pullamangalam in kalark — kurram. There are two inscriptions of this king

dated 948-949 A.D., in the Srirangam temple itself. They records a gift by

Brahma dhirajan alias Achchiyan — Bhattan Sri Vasudevan Chakrapani of

Peruvengur of two pieces of land in Sasanamangalam, a tax- free brahmadeya

of his own in Vila-nadu, for sweet cake offerings to the god on the day of

Ekadesi, during the panguni festival in the temple. Mentions the measure

called Rajakesari. The last inscriptionof the kings reignal year may be an year

between forty one and forty eight, recording a similar gift of jewels as recorded

in no.8 above by ten (navan) Brahmasrirajan alias Narayana raiyan of

Pullamangalam.14

Another inscription of this king dated 945-946 A.D. records a gift of

land in Sasanamangalam in Vila nadu for food offerings on the occasion of the

bathing ceremony of the god on the day of Rohini, the day of

Tirumulaippuludi during the Panguni -Uttiram festival by Achchiyan Bhattan

alias Sri vasudevan, a brahmadhiraja of Peruvengur in Vilanadu. 15

Uttamachola, son of Sembiyan Madevi and Gandaraditya, ruled the

Chola Country during 969 or 970 to 985 A.D. There in only one inscription of

Uttamachola’s period in this region. The record is dated in the fifteenth regnal

Uttamachola (970-985 A.D)

13. Ibid.

14. Ibid., 418 of 1961-1962.

15. Ibid., 415 of 1961-1962.

88

year of Uttamachola. Records that the members of the sabha of Srirangam

agreed to run the service of burning a lamp in front of Tiruvarangattu

Perumanadigal with Bhima semni karpuram (Camphor) and ghee provided

for,from the interest on 71 kalanju of gold invested by Sridharan Kumaran, a

Malaiyali of Iravimangalam in Valluva nadu of Malainadu.16

After the death of Uttamachola, Arumbivarman who was the greatest

Chola ruler assumed the royal title of Rajaraja I, ascended the throne and ruled

for about 30 years. He was the talented son of Sudara Chola Vanavan and

Mahadevi. His reign was splendid as the formative period of Chola imperialism

. There are nearly eighth inscriptions of this king which have been reported in

various palces in the Srirangam region. A Tamil inscription of the period is

found on the tiers of the Ottaikkal mandapam attached to the Unjal mandapam

of the Srirangam Temple. This inscription registers a gift of gold by Kuravan,

one of the commanders (Senapati) of the king.

Rajaraja- I (985--1014 A.D)

17The other details are lost as it

contains a portion of the prasasti of the king.18

The second inscription registers a gift of 40 kalanju for several offerings

to the god.

.

19

16. Ibid ., 65 of 1938-1939.

17. Ibid., 343 of 1918.

18. S.I.I., Vol. XXIV, No. 13

19. A.R.E., 342 of 1918.

The record belongs to Koviraja-Rajakesari i.e. Rajaraja I. Another

fragment below this contains part of the prasasti of Rajendrachola. The next

inscription of this king dated 991-992 A.D. refers to some transactions of the

89

Perunguri sabha of Uttamasili-Chaturvedimangalam. One of the fragments

refers to the sabha of Nandivarmangalam and the record is dated in the 7th

regnal year (99 1-992 A.D.) of Rajarajakesarivarman i.e., Rajaraja-I. This and

the following two numbers also consist of fragments of records of some that

seem seen to have belonged to the temple at Tiruvanaikkal in

Jambukesvaram. 20

Four inscriptios dated 991-992 A.D. refer to one of the fragments cites

the 7th

year (991-992 A.D.) of reign of Rajarajake sarivarman i.e. (Rajaraja- I)

and mentions certain Pallavaraiyan of Paluvur from whom some of lands

seem to have been bought.21

Another fragment refers to the deity

Purushohamattuk -p.-Perumal. 22

Two other fragments mention the deity Anaik

kavil emberuman. The next three inscriptions refer to the sabha of Uttamasili -

Charurvedimangalam and seems to refer to some lands in Viranarayananallur.

The next inscription of this king dated 1003-04. A.D. records a gift of gold for

certain offerings to god on the 19th

reignal year (1003-04 .A.D) of

Rajarajadeva. This inscription refers to the contents of a portion of the parasasti

comrnencing with Tirumagalpota, etc. It registers a gift of a hundred cows for

daily supply of 4 nali of milk to the temple by Maduratakan sundaracholan

alias Rajaraja Ilangovellar.23

20. Ibid ., 327 of 1952-1953

21 ..Ibid.,328of 1952-1953.

22. Ibid., ., 331 of 1952-1953.

23. Ibid., 344 (b) of 1918.

Mention the liquid measure called senandari for

90

palamidu service to the god Madurantakan Sundara solan alias Rajaraja

Ilangovetar.24

The last inscription in the record is dated in the 24th year of the king and

registers a gift of 14 kalanju of gold by the assembly of Tiruvarangam for

offerings to deity during the festivals in the months of Panguni and Aippasi,

mentions Vembarrur alias Avaninarana Chaturvedimangalam. 25

Rajendra- I, the son and successor of Rajaraja -I, came to power in the

year 1012 A.D. He was a great warrior. Two inscriptions of this king dated to

1012 A.D.refer to the reign year last of Parakesarivarman Rajendracho

ladeva.

Rajendra – I (1012-1044 A.D.)

26The last inscription which was damaged gives a list of names. The

record is dated in the (1024 A.D.) of the king. 27

Rajendra Chola was succeeded by his son Rajadhiraja I who ascended to

the throne in the year 1018 A.D. He served under Rajendra I as co-ruler for

over twenty five year

Rajadhiraja (1018-1054 A.D)

28. A Tamil inscription of the period is found on the tiers

of the prasasti Tingaler —taru, mentions a certain Brahmarayar and seems to

record a gift of go1d by a Muvendavelar name is last. 29

24.. Ibid., 370 of 1953-1954.

25. Ibid., 341 of 1918.

26 . Ibid., 344 (a) of 1918.

27. Ibid., 19 of 1948-49.

28. Subrahmanian, N., History of Tamil Nadu, ( upto 1336) , Koodal Publishers,

Madurai, 1972, p. 195.

29. A.R.E., 333 of 1952-1953.

91

Adhirajendra (1070 A.D)

Virarajendra died early in 1070 A.D. in the year eighth of his reign.

Vijayala Chola line came to an end with the death of Adhirajendra (1067/68-

1078 A.D.). The accession of Kulottunga I heralded the Chalukya Chola

dynasty .Only one inscription of Adhirajendra (1070 A.D) seems to record a

gift of land. 30

Krimikantha Chola is generally identified with Kulottunga 1(1070-1120

A.D.

Kulottunga- I (1070-1120 A.D.)

31Some scholars would prefer to identify him with Adhirajendra, who had

a short reign of less than a year (in 1070) and who was killed in the course of a

popular uprising. But according to the Vaishnava tradition, Ramanuja lived as

an exile in the Mysore Country for 12 years at the close of which he returned to

Srirangam on hearing the death of Krimikantha. Adhirajendra did not rule for

twelve years, and it is a sheer impossibility to crowd the many achievementsof

Ramanuja in exile into the short period of less than a year of the reign of

Adhirajendra. If on this ground the identification of Krimikantha

with Kulottunga-I is correct the date of the return of Ramanuja to Srirangam is

to be placed round about 1120 A.D.32

Though is true to say that the Chola monarchs were ardent patrons of

Saivism it need not to be concluded from the account of the persecution of

Ramanuja that there was a general persecution of the Vaisnavas and the

30. Ibid., 181 of 1951-1952.

31. Nilakanta Sastri,K.A., Colas, pp.295-96, 300, and 644, for different views.

32 . Jothibasu, R., Srirangam Through the Ages- A Study, Ph.D Thesis, Annamalai

University, Annamalainagar, 2011,p.82.

92

Vaishnava temples were destroyed during the Chola period. From the Chola

inscriptions, it is found that they extended their patronage to both the Saiva and

Vaishnava temples. But the kings were often victims to advisers and favourite

dogmas and sometimes the rule of general toleration was broken. There are

several inscriptions of Kulottunga-I in the Srirangam temple.33

One mentions

the king by his title, Jayadhara, and his minister Vanadhiraja, who figured as

the donor.34

Another, dated in his 13th

year, refers to Senapati Virarajendra

Adivaman, who made a gift of land for a flower garden to the temple.35

Two

more military officers of the king figure as donors in other records. One is

Arigandadevan Ayarkolundinar alias Senapatigal Gangaikondachola -

Munaiyadarayar of Kottur in Arumolideva Valanadu, who figures as the donor

of a flower garden, named after him. The same person also donates a lamp.36

The other was Senapatigal Vira Chola Munaiyadarayar, who made a grant of

50 Kalanju of gold for the recitation of the Tiruppallielucci and Tiruvaimoli

by five nimantakaras (temple scrvants).37

This epigraph is dated in the king’s

15th

year. Another epigraph, dated in his 18th

year, records the provision of 6 ¼

kasu (gold pieces) made by Arayan Garudavahan alias Kalingarayar for

offerings on three nights when the text Tettarundiral 38

33. A.R.E.,61 of 1892, S.I.I., Vol. 1V, 508, 62 of 1892; S.I.I., Vol.III, 70, and 117-

127 & 129. A.R.E., 132 of 1938-1939 pt.II. para 18.

34. Ibid., 56 of 1938-1939.

35. Ibid.,118 of 1938-1939.

36. Ibid .,123 of 1938-1939.

37. Ibid., 61 of 1892.

38. The second ‘ten’ of the Perurnal Tirumoli by Kulasekhara Alvar begins with these

words.

was recited during the

festivals in the months of Aippasi and Panguni. The Malyala officers of the

king, belonging to the Perudanam and sirudanam, made a gift of a chauri called

93

Ayiravan (with a gold handle) for service to God Anantanarayanaswami, who

“was pleased to recline at Srirangan”.39

This inscriptions of the king records a gift of land in Vilattur nadu to

Chola- Keralanallur Udiyan Adittan Vedavanamudaiyan alias Neriyan

Muvendavelar for a flower garden (tirunandavanappuram) for supplying two

hundred harlands and some specified quantity of the temple at the instance of

Nishadarajar, the Srikaryam officer of the temple.

It is significant that a number of

generals and officers of Kulottunga I figure as the donars of the Srirangam

temple. This is unlikely if the king had been a Saiva fanatic.

In the present state of our knowledge and with the traditional account of

the Guruparampari as the basis, it is concluded that the persecutor of Ramanuja

was not Adhirajendra but Kulottunga I. It was the audacious statement of

Kurattalvan, who made a joke of the dictum of the king, viz., Sivaparataram

nasti that was perhaps responsible for the blinding order. Ramanuja felt himself

unsafe and so he left the Chola territory altogether. Even the blinding of

Kurattalvan might have been a hagiographical invention, for the

Guruparamparai tells that the Alvan regained his eyesight later on through

divine beneficence. There is a good reason to believe that the account of

persecution is highly exaggerated.

40

39. A.R.E.,130 of 1938-1939.

40. Ibid., 109 of 1947-1948

Eighty inscriptions, record

an assignment by sale of fallow land for payment of 10 kalams of paddy to the

temple executives towards the expenses of two festivals to be conducted every

94

year in the temple. The details of the recipients of the land are lost.41

The next

inscription refers to a sale of devadana land in kil-pitaru in Pachchilkurram to

Kasyapan Kannan Narayanan alias Vaisravana Bhattai of Tiruvellarai, a

Brahmadeya in Vadavali-nadu in Ulogamuludaiyal- nadu. A similar transaction

by the temple executives to Alagiyaraja Muvendavetar is is referred to in lines

9-11 of the inscription. The land seems to have been named Gangaiyarsurabhi -

vilagam. 42

Another inscription mentions thea sale of a land by the temple

executives to Ponnamambalakkuttan alias kalingarayar.43

It registers a gift of

land by sale to Sendamangala mudaiar Jayangonda solan alias Senapati

Ilangovelar for a garden be named Kidarangonda vilagam. 44

Another

inscription (damaged) records sale of a land to Araiyan Sendan alias

Rajendrachola Adiyaman Ponparri in Tirumilaik-Kurram for a garden to supply

garlands of specified flowers to the god.45

This inscription registers a sale of

land by the temple executives to Atkondavillil of Adnur.46

The next inscription

in the same place states the sale of a land to the kanmis of Nambirattiyar

Lokmahateviyar free of all taxes for five years from the year of assignment and

threafter for payment of a stipulated quantity of paddy into the temple treasury.

The sale was made at the instance of Narayonabhattar, the srikaryam officer. 47

41. Ibid., 110 of 1947-1948.

42. Ibid., 117 of 1947-1948.

43. Ibid .,116 of 1947-1948.

44. Ibid., 136 of 1947-1948.

45. Ibid., 137 of 1947-1948.

46. Ibid., 2 of 1948-1949.

47. Ibid., 8 of 1948-1949.

.

Another inscription of this king registers a sale of land for garden to Adiyadeva

95

but the details are lost. A fragment by the side of this record mentions

Adittanar alias kadavarayar and seems to refer to a sale of land to him.48

An

inscription mentions the a sale of land but the the details of which it is lost 49

.It

is evident from an inscription register the sale a of land the details of are,

however lost. 50

The next inscription mentions only portions of the prasasti which are

available .It seems to refer to some land gift.51

Another inscription with

damaged registers seems to refer to a sale of land (highly damaged).52

Another

inscription seems to register a gift of land to Villavarayor.53

Another

inscription registers to give the beginning of the prasasti pugal, suinda etc. But

the other details are lost. 54

This inscription is about the sale of a land under orders from

Nishadajar.55

Another inscription registers an agreement (Sammatattittu) by the

shephered Achchan Govaddam and five others to supply ghee to the lamp

enowed by Senapaitigal Irajanarayana Munaiyadaraiyar alias Kotturudaiyan

Aranyan Rajendracholan with 96 sheep endowed for the purpose by the same

donar.56

An inscription partly covered by brass plates.It seems to refer to an

enquiry into the settlement of arrears by Rajendrachola Muvendavelar, the

48. Ibid., 9 of 1948-1949.

49. Ibid.,10 of 1948-1949.

50. Ibid., 11 of 1948-1949.

51. Ibid., 14 of 1948-1949.

52. Ibid., 16 of 1948-1949.

53. Ibid ., 23 of 1948-1949.

54. Ibid., 34 of 1948-1949.

55. Ibid ., 42 of 1948-1949.

56. Ibid., 167 of 1951-1952.

96

arrears amounting to 940 kasu by some individuals to the temple treasuries.

One of the individuals (name lost) involved in the case seems to have served a

period of imprisonment. A fragment apparently not connected with this record

same tiers refers to the provisions made for observing the Pusattirunal of

Kulottunga Choladeva every month.57

Another inscription records a gift of

sheep by a number of individuals for supply of ghee for a perpetual lamp in the

temple.It mentions Vira Vichchadira Muvendavelar or the Srikaryam officer of

the temple at whose instance the gift seems to have been made. 58

An inscription records a gift of 10,000 kalam of paddy for service and

offerings to the god.59

The next inscription records a sale of land to wAlagiya

manavalapala-p- Perumal alias Irava Cholappallavaraiyan under the orders of

Sirilango Bhatter, the Srikaryam officer. 60

Another inscription mentions the

names Silaiyan Kundavai and Chamunda Govardhana-Manavalan.61

The

inscription records sale of land, details are lost. The record is dated in the 10th

regnal year of the king. 62

The next inscription records the repayment of a loan of 400 kalanju by

sale of 6 veli of tax free land by the sabha of chandralikhai chaturvedimangalm

which had raised this amount from God Anantanarayanaswami at Srirangam in

the 10th

year of Madurai Konda Kop-Parakesari ( Parantaka-I), having paid

the interest thereon regularly. The record is dated in the 10th

year of the king’s

57. Ibid., 168 of 1951-1952.

58. Ibid., 169 of 1951-1952.

59. Ibid ., 187 of 1951-1952.

60. Ibid., 12 of 1948-1949.

61. Ibid ., 24 of 1948-1949.

62. Ibid ., 41 of 1948-1949.

97

reign.63

Another inscription record is stated to belong Rajamabendra-chaturvedi

mangalam. States that as the temple of Mummudi cholavinnagaralvar at

Rajamahendra chaturvedimangalm , a brahmadeya in in Kandara (Gandhara)

Nadu a sub-division of Nittavinoda—valanadu, was unable to safeguard its

property owing to a burglary of its treasury during a conflict between the right

and left hand classes in the 2nd year of the king’s reign. The assembly of

Rajamahendra chaturvedimangalam received a lumb-sum from the temple and

exempted certain lands belonging to it from payment of taxes. 64

Another inscription records assignment of two plots of land free of

specified taxes by the temple executives to senapatigal Taliyil Madurantakan

Rajendracholak-Kidara tarayar and his wife Rajakesarivalli for raising two

flower gardens in their names. Mention is also made among for the boundaring

the Rajendrachola vanadhiraja mannilar.65

The inscription mentions a gift of gold by senapatigal. Rajendrachola

Munaiyadaraiyar towards garlands, ghee for lamp, etc. The wording in line 5

indicates the regnal year of the king as either 14 or 16. 66

The next inscription register a gift of land by purchase from the temple

authorities by Rajarajan Madhurantakan alias vatsaraja for worship and

offerings to God Alagiyamanavala-p-perumal on the day of his natal star

63. Ibid., 18 of 1948-1949.

64. Ibid., 31 of 1936-1937.

65. Ibid., 3 of 1948-1949.

66. Ibid., 132 of 1947-1948

98

mrigasirs ha and for feeding Srivaishnavas in the Madhurantakadevan matha

during certain ispecified festivals. 67

Another inscription records sale of land to Adinathan alias karanai

vilupparaiyar (vide No. 112 of 1947-1948).68

The inscription records an

undertaking (Kaittittu) by the Nivandakkarar to the temple executives for

having purchased certain lands from Srirangana Kramavittan and his

brothers , of Rajakesarichcheri, the 8th

ward (cheri) in Rajasraya

Chaturvedimangalam in Uraiyurkurram and provision (nivandam) for reciting

Tiruppallieluchchi and Tiruvaymoli before god Anatanarayanasvami, at the

instance of Ayarkolundau Chakrapani alias Virachola Munaiyadarayar of

kottur in nadu in Arumolideva-valanadu. This is evidently connected with No.

57 about where the gift of 50 kalanju of pon (gold) by the donor for the

purpose is recorded. 69

.Another inscription egisters a sale of land in Vilattur-

nadu under orders of Nishadarajar, the Srikaryam of the temple to

Ulaguyyakkondarlina sembiar Neriyan-Madevi, daughter of pandiyanar for a

garden to be raised in her name and for payment of specified amount of paddy

to the temple from out of the produce. 70

An inscription records a gift of money for bringing land in Vilanadu in

Pandikulasani - Valanadu under cultivation by Tennavan Madeviyar, the

Queen of Rajendradeva , (Kulottunga -I) towards provision for offerings to the

67. Ibid., 15 of 1936-1937.

68. Ibid., 114 of 1947-1948.

69. Ibid., 120 of 1947-1948.

70. Ibid., 124 of 1947-1948.

99

god on the 5th

day of Masi and mention Neriyan Mudevi-Vitagam as one of

the boundaries.71

The next inscription records a gift of 61/4 Kasu by Araiyan

Garudavahanan alias Kalingarayan for offering during specified festivals on the

occasion of the recitation of tettruntiral, a hymn composed by Kulasekara

Alwar.72

Another inscription records the sale of tax-free land in Vita-nadu in

Keralantaka Valanadu to Turumur -Udaiyan Araiyan alias udaiyar karanai

Vilupparaiyar stipulating payment of specified quantity of paddy from the 5th

year of cultivation of the land. 73

This inscription record the gift of a Chauri (fly whisk) called Ayiravan

with a golden handle, to the god named Ananta-Narayanasvami at Srirangam

through the assembly of the village, by Malaiyalar of both Perundanam and

Sirudanam. It mentions also the name of the person Sridanappillai-mangai –

alvan of the southern section (konda) in the 16th

cheri (ward) of

Rajasrayagolam appointed to serve the cord with the chauri. 74

Another inscription records a sale of tax-free land to Uttamacholanallur

Udaiyan alias Narayanan Malaikkiniya-Ninran alias Mummudichola

Vilupparaiyan and Padmanabhan Vishnumurti, the servant (Panimagan)of the

former under the orders from Cholasikhamani Muvendavelar ,the Srikaryam of

71. Ibid., 125 of 1947-1948.

72. Ibid., 62 of 1892; S.I.I., Vol. III, No. 70.

73. Ibid., 113 of 1947-1948.

74. Ibid., 130 of 1938-1939.

100

the temple stipulating the payment of a specified quantity of paddy to the

temple.75

The inscription records a gift of land by Ariganda devan

Ayarkolundinar alias Senapatigal Gangaikondasola Munaiyadaraiyar of kottur

in Armolideva- valanadu for a flower garden named after him for

offering on two festival days when the god was taken to the Arigandadevan

tirumandapam. 76

Another inscription record states that as the original tenants of the

Village devadana village (name lost) in Mipitaru in Pachchil-kurram a sub-

division of Kulottunga Chola-valanadu were unable to pay the taxes, this

village was renamed Rajanarayananallur and redistributed among new

tenants.77

An next inscription record a sale of land in vilattur- nadu in

Keratanlaka-valanadu to Ganavalli alias Pendatti kadavurudaiyal, a resident of

Tirukkadavur in Akurnadu in Jayangondasola-valanadu towards charity, under

orders of Rajendra -muvendavelar. The inscription was ordered to be engraved

on the wall of Rajamahendran- tirukchchurru.It mentions Vira vichchadhara

muvenda Velar, the headman (Kilavan) of Palaiyur. 78

Another inscription records an endowmenmt of land by Rajarajan.

Arumoliyar alias tennavan Madevi, queen of Rajandradeva (Kulottunga -I)

towards feeding (bhiksha) of bhahavar (Bhagavar). Also it refers to a land

endowment by Rajamanikkm, the Pendatti of Kaduvettigal to provide rice for

75. Ibid., 121 of 1947-1948; S.I.I., Vol. XXXIV, No.19.

76. Ibid., 122 of 1938-1939; S.I.I. Vol. XXIV, No. 20.

77. Ibid., 132 of 1938-1939.

78. Ibid., 112 of 1947-1948.

101

spreading the tiruppanjadi on certain specified occasions.79

An inscription

record highly damaged and incomplete condition after the preamble. The

record is dated in the 27th

year of the king’s reign. 80

The next inscription record the inscription is in Kannada. It is damaged

and worn out in places and records a provision made for burning two lamps in

the temple of God Sriranga by the kannadandhivigrahi and Dandanayaka (name

lost) of king lm Tribhuvanamalladeva ( Vilramadita VI) in the 29 year (A.D.

1099- 1100) of the reign of Kulottungadeva (Kulottunga- I), gives the names of

seven i kons such as Alagiyama valakon, Karunakara-kon, Sri-Narasingakon,

Tirumaliru (jolai-kon, etc, who were enjoined to supply the required quantity of

ghee for burning the lamps. The record seems also to refer to the plastering

with lime mortar, caused to be done to the shrine of senapati (Vishvaksena)

probably by the same donor. 81

Another inscription records the sale of land to Valavan Madeviyar by

Sriraman Kesavan. The record is dated in the 29th

year of the king. One of the

fragments refers to Sri-magadai-kon as a signatory (fragmentary). 82

The next inscription records the gift of land after purchase by

AdittanTiravarangadevan alias Virudaraja-phaynakara Vijayapalan for rearing

a flower garden.83

An inscription records the sale of land free of taxes to

Tiruvarangamudaiyan an accountant of the sabha of the temple. (damaged).84

79. Ibid., 126 of 1947-1948.

80. Ibid., 182 of 1951-1952

81. Ibid., 204 of 194 1-1942; E.I, Vol. XXX, pp. 203 ff. and plate.

82. Ibid., 13 of 1948-1949.

83. Ibid., 121 of 1938-1939.

84. Ibid., No. 36 of 1948-1949.

102

The inscription records an endowment to the sabha for purchase of land

for offerings to god by Vandalanjeri Udaiyan Vellalan Anai alias

vanakovaraiyan of Tirunaraiyar.85

Another inscription registers a gift of a lamp weighing 100 palams by a

person named Sattandai Aiyyaran Sankaranayanan. The inscription is dated in

the 33Id year of the kings reign.86

The next inscriptionthe registers a gift of

land by the perunguri-sabha of the Rajasraya-chatuvedimangalam., a

brahmadeya in Uraiyur –kurram, a sub-division of Rajamahendra valanadu, for

a flower garden and repairs to the temple of Tiruvarangadeva. The sabha is said

to have been convened in the Rajendracholan mandapa in their village and the

number of members present before beginning its deliberations.87

An inscription

records a gift of land but the details lost. The inscription is dated in the 34th

regnal year of the king 88

The next inscription records a gift of land by purchase, by kiliyarudaiyar

Nadaripugalan alias kalingarayar for a flower garden. Since this land was found

insufficient, another piece of land purchased by him in the 33rd

year was also

added to this. The adhikari at the time was Nishabharaja. 89

Another inscription recoreds partly convered up by the floor. It seems to

register a gift of land to Ariyan vasudeva Bhattan alias Rajaraja Brahmarayam

of Anishthanam in kasmiradesam, by the several executive bodies of the

temple, in the 39th

regnal year of the king. The Srikaryam of the temple was

85. Ibid., 210 of 1951-1952.

86. Ibid., 82 of 1936-1937.

87. Ibid., 129 of 1938-1939.

88. Ibid., 4 of 1948-1949.

89. Ibid., 14 of 1936-1937.

103

Nedunjerik Kudaiyan aleas Bhuvaninarayana Muvendavelar.90

The inscription

records gift of land by purchase by kannagan karumanikkam alias valava-

Vichchadira Pallavaraiyan for rearing flower garden after his name, to the god

Tiruvarangattalvar in Vilanadu, a sub-division of Dinachintamani valanadu.

The Srikaryam of the temple was Adhikarigal Bhavaninarayana

Muvendavetar. 91

The next inscription records begins with the introduction of pugal

sulnda punari etc.It registers a gift of land after purchase by Pallikkondan

kuttanar alias Vilinattaaiyar of Sirramur in Tiruvalundur-nadu, a sub division

of Rajanarayana-valanadu for supplying flowers to the deity on different

occasions. In continuation of this is engraved another record of the same king

beginning with pugalmadu —vilanga, a greater portion of which is however

built in.92

Another inscription records the sale of tax-free (Tirumadaippuram)

land in vitanadu in keralantaka valanadu to siralan Tiruchirranmbalamudaiyan

alias Adhikarigal Vira Vichchadira Muvendaveter, for supply of paddy to the

Sribhandaram and also for offerings to the god on the occasion of reciting the

Tiruvaymoli.93

An inscription records a gift of land under orders of

Bhuvaninarayana Muvendavetan of Nedunjeri to karumanikkam Adittadevan

alias chedirayar for raising a garden.94

The inscription records a sale of land to

Tiruvarangappichchar and Tirumohirp pichchar. 95

90. Ibid., 124 of 1938-1939.

91. Ibid., 131 of 1938-1939.

92. Ibid., 127 of 1938-1939.

93. Ibid., 119 of 1947-1948

94. Ibid., 138 of 1947-1948.

95 . Ibid., 17 of 1948-1949.

104

The next inscription records a grant of tax-free land by purchase by the

king who bears the title Sungantavirtta on the day of Pusam, the day of his

ascension.96

Another inscription records a gift of lands, by purchase for 200

drammas by Adittan Tiruvararigadevan alias Virudara jabhayankara vii

aiyapalan towards offerings and a jewel Sripada salam (Sripada saram) to the

god on specified occasions. One of the lands, which was once endowed for the

jewel mentioned above by Valavan Vilupparaiyan was now to be reclaimed

and its produce to be utilized for the same purpose.97

It records the sale of

fallow land belonging to the temple (Tirumadappallipuram) in Vilattur-nadu in

Rajamahendra-valanadu by the temple executives (Srivaishnava-variyam) to

Rigudaiyan Madhavan-Tiruvarangattervan alias Gangaikonda solavijayavelar

with the stipulation that 10 kalams of paddy was to be made over to the temple.

The sale was made under the orders of Parthivendra-brahmadiraja, the

Srikaryam officer. 98

The next inscription records the sale 4 veli of fallow land made tax free

and belonging to the temple in Vilatturnadu in Rajamahendra valanadu by the

Srivaishnavavariyam to Vijayapatan stipulating payment of 32 kalam of paddy

at the rate of 8 kalam per veli to the temple for 220 dirammam which was

utilized towards a jewel to the god in the name of panaiyarudaiyan aianadu

vilupparaiyan. The transaction was made on Tuesday, the 352nd

day in ihe

month of Aani in the 41st

year of the king’s reign when the nakshaton was

96. Ibid., 26 of 1948-1949.

97. Ibid.

98. Ibid., 106 of 1947-1948.

105

Rohini.99

Another inscription records (Fragmentary) the details after the

prasasti are completely lost.100

Another inscription records sale of land in

Rajamahendra-valanadu to Madhavan Tiruvarangadevan alias

Adalaiyurnadaltan of Kaduvangudi by the temple executives for the supply of

specified quantity of paddy to the temple. 101

An inscription records sale of land to Adiutan of Tiruvinjatur-nadu,

under orders of parthivendra Brahmadhiraja. 102

Another inscription records

(Damaged) a sale of land.103

The inscription reords the remission of certain

taxes on some in lieu of a lump sum of momey received by the Perunguri sabha

of Arindigai Chaturvedimangalam, a Brahmadeya in Uraiyurram in

Rajamahendra vala nadu from Vandancheri Udaiyan vellan Anai alias vana-

kovaraiyan of Tirunaraiyur for offering and baths on ekadasi (days) to the god.

The sabha is stated to have met at the temple of Tirukkurungudiyalvan.104

The

next inscription records a gift of land by purchase, by the srikaryam officer,

Talaich-changattu sirilango-bhattar, for a flower garden to the temple. His full

name is given as Talaichchangattu Attiraiyan Picchan Sirilaange bhattan and he

is stated to be a resident of Rajaraja chaturvedi Mangalam, a brahmedeya of

Kurukkai-nadu, a sub-division of Virudaraja Bhayankara-valanadu. 105

99. Ibid., 108 of 1947-1948.

100. Ibid., 115 of 1947-1948.

101. Ibid., 129 of 1947-1948.

102. Ibid., 5 of 1948-1949.

103. Ibid., 7 of 1948-1949.

104. Ibid., 210 of 1951-1952.

105. Ibid., 126 of 1938-1939.

106

An inscription records a sale of land to tirumalavadi-Udaiyan alias

Rajavallabha pallavaraiyan under orders from Adhikarigal Nittavinodamudai

for payment of a specified quantity of paddy to the temple. 106

Another inscription records the order (Niyogam) of the perungurlmaha-

sabha of the village mangalam to re-impose the iraiyili tenure in lieu of a sum

of under iraikaval from 2nd

to the 40th

year of the king’s reign.107

The next

inscription records an assignment of land by sale by the temple executives to

Tirunilakantan kalappalan Alagiya Muvendavelar of Urrukkattuk kottam in

Jayangondsola-mandalam for payment the land of ponparn udaiyan alias

Rajendrachola Adigaimanar.108

The inscription records an endowment of land

by sale by siriyandalsarn, the daughter of Atreyan Damodaran Narayanan and

the wife of Taya Nambi Piran, to the srivaishnavas in-charge of the flower

gardens.109

An inscription records a sale of land to the Srivaishnavas by Senadan

Sivan110

and another inscription records the sale of land by Attirayan sendan

given to the Srivaishnavas of the temple.111

The next inscription records a sale

of land by the authorities of the temple to Ariayan devan alias Bhavani

Muvendavelan 112

106. Ibid., 123 of 1947-1948.

107. Ibid., 22 of 1948-1949.

108. Ibid., 111 of 1947-1948.

109. Ibid., 15 of 1948-1949.

110. Ibid., 20 of 1948-1949.

111. Ibid., 21 of 1948-1948.

112. Ibid., 117 of 1938-1939.

107

The last inscription records a sale of land to (Sri) [vira] Kaladasan of

Pallapuram which mentions the officer Rajendrasinga Pallavaraiyan. The

inscription is dated in the 48th

year of the king’s reign. 113

1. A gosala or cowshed and a shrine for Krishna in the northeast of the 5th

enclosure, (2) a shrine for Rama in the southwest. (3) a shrine for Nacciyar

in the northwest, and (4) an installation of Garuda in the Peria Tirumantapa

in the 4th or Alinadan enclosure. The 5th enclosure of the temple is known

as Akalangan Tiruvidi, Akalangan being a title of Vikrama Chola. There is

no direct epigraphic confirmation of the above account. The Srirangam

Temple, however, contains a single inscription of Parakesarivarman alias

Tribhuvana Vikrama Coladeva dated in his 16th

year (1134 A.D.) A high

regnal year not met with in other inscriptions of him.

Vikramachola (1118-1236 A.D.)

From the inscriptions it is found that Vikrama Chola spent a large part

of the state revenues derived in 1128 A.D. upon the Chidambaram Temple by

way of structural additions and sumptuous benefactions. Nataraja of

Chidambaram was his family deity. The Koil Olugu says that the same king

constructed the 5th

prakara wall of the Srirangam Temple, with its gateways

and gopuras. The following are also attributed to him.

114

113. Ibid., 116 of 1947-1948.

114 . Ibid., 33 of 1936-1937; pt.II, para 71 (Vikrama Chola was crowned in 1118

A.D. when his father, Kulottuna I. was alive.

This simply records

a private gift of land and throws no light on the king’s interest in the temple.

Yet it is significant to note that ‘Vikrama Colacaturvedimangalam’ is

mentioned in a few inscriptions of the later Pandyas in the temple in

108

connection with the formation of the colony called ‘Kaliyugarama-

caturvedimangalam’, in the neighbourhood of Srirangam.115

2. The Koil-Olugu says that the son of Krimikantha Chola was a well-

meaning monarch. Even while his father was contemplating to persecute the

Vaishnavas he tried to dissuade him from his evil intents but failed. After

the death of his father whose acts he very much repented, he came to the

Srirangam Temple with the Cera and Pandya kings and made consultations

with them in the following strain: ‘Temples and their endowments have

always been governed by Brahmanas and there had been no royal

encroachments. My father, who violated this rule, suffered terribly. Even

now I will call back Udayavar and in your presence hand over to him the

entire authority over the temple’. Sending Maronrilla Marathiyandan to

fetch back Udayavar the three kings returned to their respective cities.

When the envoy returned with Udayavar, the Chola 116

rushed to

Srirangarn, handed over to Udayavar the control of the temple and

registered the transfer in a dana sasana or deed of gift. When he begged for

a discipleship at the feet of the Acarya, the latter willingly made him the

disciple of his own disciple, Mudaliyandan to whom he transferred the

control of the temple, which had so long been administered from the palace.

The Koil Olugu ends this account by saving that Udayavar caused these

details to be inscribed on the wall of the Arahhattal gateway.117

115. Ibid., 42,43,44 and 47 of 1936-1937.

116. The Koil Olugu Srirangam Temple Chronicle calls this Cola by the name Kulottunga

(p.108). probably a generic name for the kings of the dynasty of Kulottunga I.

117. Hari Rao, V.H., Koil Olugu, Srirangam Temple Chronicle, Madras, 1961, pp.107-108.

The

109

Guruparamparai and the Divvasuricaritam give no such account of a

patronising Chola. It is not possible to justify this story on epigraphical

grounds. The inscriptions record a gift of 100 sheep for supply of ghee to

the temple. 118

Another inscription of this king in the third Prakara, on the west wall

place registers an assignment of tax — free land to Ramadevan Srirama

Bhattan, the tarkkani of Ilavelur for providing offerings on specified

occasions; the land endowed was to be called Srirarnavitagam.119

The next

inscription records another assignment of tax-free land by sale to Tirumalapadi

Durga.... Bhattan alias Sri Sadagopanambi Alagiya-manavalapperumal, a

tarkani of Ilavelur, in Kavijanakarpagachcheri in Gandaraditta-

chaturvedimangalam, a brahmadeya in poygai- nadu in Tyagavalli-valanadu

for supply of garlands to the temple. The endowed land was to be named

sadagopavilagam, after the assignee. It mentions Srikaridevavilagam endowed

by Nilagangaraiyar, probably as one of the boundaries of the gift land. 120

In the 1126 A.D. inscription in the third prakara, south wall place

narrates a sale of land at the instance of Valavanarayana Muvendavelar. The

Srikaryam officer of the temple to Puravangudaiyan Araiyan to be named

Nidiiyabharanan- Tirunandavanam.121

118. A.R.E., 37 of 1948-1949.

119. Ibid., 127 of 1947-1948.

120. Ibid., 128 of 1947-1948.

121. Ibid., 38 of 1948-1949.

Another insription in the same place

records a sale of 3 1/3 ma of land to Enadi Araivan for 8 kasu, by sandur

Magilalankaradasan and his younger brother who obtained this from

110

Periyakoyilpriyar in exchange for the garden land called Kodai Andal

tirunandavanam.122

In the 1127 A D the same place inscription narrates the sale

of land (tirumadaipallipuram) to a certain Brahmamarajar.123

Another inscription records the sale deed of the transaction.124

The next

inscription records commences with the prasasti pumadupunara, etc. registers a

gift of 3 ma of land bounded by the Jayangondasolan-tirunandavanam on the

west, Rajadhirajan — Tirunandavanam on the north, Alappirandan-

Tirunandavanam on the east and Kaveri on the south by Tillaiyalagiyar the

mother of Queen Araiyanlagudaiyar alias Otoga (Loka) mahadeviyar to

Kandalai Tiruvaranga- narayanan sri sadagopan for a flower garden in her

name and for her own welfare, at the instance of Kalivalam —Udaiyan

Tiruvakkulom — Udaiyan alias Valavanarananamuvendevelan, the Srikaryam

of the temple.125

Another inscription records the sale of one veli of land by the

Srivaishnavas of the temple to Nambi Nilaivan Tiruchchirrarnbalamudaiyan

alias Mudikonda Chola Muventar of Porkalakkudi in Marugal-nadu in

Geyamanikka-valanadu, who probably donated the same to the temple at the

instance of Rajavichchandira Brahmamarayar, the Srikaryam, of the temple, for

a flower garden.126

The 1130 A.D inscription which commences with the introduction of

Pumalai midaindu etc. registers a gift of land by sale, by the

122. Ibid., 39 of 1948-1949.

123. Ibid., 28 of 1948-1949.

124. Ibid., 40 of 1948-1949.

125. Ibid., 437 of 1954-1955.

126. Ibid., 438 of 1954-1955.

111

Srivaishnavakanmis of the temple headed by Aniyarangadasar and inclusive of

the temple accountant Tiruvarangapiriyan alais Pattamudaiyan

Muvayrattoruvan of Pattam in Avurkurram in Nittavinoda-valanadu, at the

instance of sirnara - vichchadira Brahma-marayar, the srikaryam of the

temple.127

The last inscription records a sale of land for a flower garden under

orders of the Srikaryam officer Tiruvalanattu-Manadudaiyar to Kottur-Udaiyan

Tiravikraman mentions the land endowed by udaiyan vetan Karunakaran alias

Tondaimanar.128

Kulottunga-II, like his father, devoted his energies to the remodeling and

renovation of the Nataraja shrine at Chidambaram. Both his inscriptions and

the Kulottunga-Cholan Ula of Ottakootar make prominent mention of his

activities on behalf of this shrine. In his zeal for Saivism he removed, in the

language of the Ula, the little God (Visnu) from the courtyard of the sacred hall

of Tillai).

Kulottunga- II (1133-1150 A.D)

129According to the Vaishnava tradition, Ramanuja heard of the

desecration of the Govindaraja shrine at Chidambaram, after he had returned

from the Mysore Country to Srirangam.130

127. Ibid., 339 of 1952-1953.

128. Ibid., 31 of 1948-1949.

129. Kulottunga Cholan Ula.II, 77-78.

130.The Koil-Olugu, however, says that Rarnanuja installed the Govindaraja image at

Tirupati while he returned to Srirangam from Mysore. This cannot be true if it is held

that the Acharya returned to Srirangam soon after the death of Kulottunga I. (Hari Rao,

V.H., op.cit., pp.210-211) The descration, then, has to be taken to the period before

Kulottunga II, which goes against the evidence of Ottakkootar.

112

He immediately proceeded to Tirupati, whither the Vaishnavas of

Chidambaram had escaped with the image of Govindaraja, and installed it in a

shrine there by the side of the older shrine of Parthasarathy, whose image had

become mutilated and hence unfit for worship The earliest record of

Kulottunga II, which makes specific mention of his activities at Chidambaiam,

comes from Tiruppurambiam and is dated in his 7th

year, i e, 1140. The

desecration of its image and its reconsecration in a newly built shrine at

Tirupati may roughly be assigned to this date.

Ramanuja returned from Tirupati via Kanchi to Srirangam, where he

continued to administer the Vaishnava darsana for sometime at the end of

which he ‘left this for the abode of Vishnu’. His death occurred probably in

1150, as the restoration of the Govindaraja image in a shrine in Tirupati is

according to all accounts the last important event in his life. Roughly then

Ramanuja’s life extended over the century 1050-1150. If we strictly adhere to

the traditional dates for the birth and death of Ramanuja, viz., 1017 and 1137 it

is doubtful whether it would be possible to accommodate the reconsecration of

the Govindaraja image as also a period of peaceful administration of the

darsana from Srirangam subsequent to it between these two dates.

An inscription of Kulottunga II in the Srirangam Temple, dated in his

11th

year, register an endowment of land after purchase (from the temple itself

for a flower-garden by three private individuals, who also made additional gifts

113

of money for the maintenance of five gardeners. 131

Another inscription in the

temple dated in his 7th

year purports to be an order issued by the deity leasing

the temple lands to the ‘Kovanavar’ who were to plant coconut and area palms

thereon and to pay annually a specific part of the yield to the temple.132

Rajaraja II is represented by two inscriptions, records the gift of a

golden lamp-stand set with one ruby and an endowment of money for

maintaining the lamp and for the supply of camphor, by Kodai Ravivarman of

Venadu in Malai-nadu.

Rajaraja- II (1146-1173 A D)

Rajaraja II was the son of Kulottunga II and he ascended to the throne in

1146 A.D. During his time, the Chola Empire faced many problems. The

Hoysalas made their attempt to establish their power in Tamil county gradually.

The Western Chalukyas too wanted to extend their power towards the south.

Hence, Rajaraja II’s administrative system of the Cholas showed signs of

weakening at the central level.

133

The next inscription records an agreement given by Kasyapan Tiruttavan

Perumal alias Alagiyamanavala Brahmarayar; his brother Perumal alias

Virachola Brahmarayar and Sirigapiran Chakrapani to pon parappinar alias

Vangara Muttaraiyar to cultivate the 2 ma of garden land purchased from Sri

Govinda-perumal alias Pagaivali Anukka Brahmarayar and Tiruvaykkuklam

Udaiyan Uttamanambi for 17,000 kasu. The inscription in the 11th

regnal year

131. A.R.E., 55 of 1936-1937.

132. Ibid., 57 of 1936-1937.

133. Ibid., 68 of 1936-1937.

114

of Tribhuvanaharavatga1 Rajaraja who may be identified with Rajaraja II on

Paleographical considerations. 134

Kulottunga II was succeeded by Rajaraja II (1150-1173), and the latter

by Rajadhiraja II (acc. l163) who ruled upto 1178. There are two inscriptions of

this king in the Srirangam Temple.

The portion containing the details of the date is partly damaged on the

stone along with the other details viz., the weekday (Saturday) and the

nakshatru (Svati) clear. Two inscriptions of Rajaraja II are found on the

southern wall of the second Prakara and they record gifts of land to the temple.

Rajadhiraja- II (1166-1178)

135They records gifts of money to the

temple, one for a lamp and the other for the expenditure involved in the

conduct of certain festivals. The donor figuring in the latter is one Virirundan

Seman alias Tirukkuraivalartta Akalanga Nadalvar of Tiruttavatturai (Lalgudi).

The Koil Olugu mentions him as a disciple of Ramanuja.136

Rajadhiraja III, grandson of Vikrarnachola by daughter succeeded by

Rajaraja II. Rajadhiraja II records an endowment in money for a lamp in the

tmple by Periya Tirusuttisattina Perumal alias Rajaraja Uttama setti of

Kurattippattaflam situated in kaivata- nadu, a sub-division of poysala-nadu.

The donor figuring

in the former epigraph was one Perumal alias Rajaraja Uttamasetti, a native of

Kurattipattinam in Kaivara-nadu, a subdivision of Poysalanadu, who also

presented a big forehead jewel (sutti) to the God Periya-Perumal. Both are

dated in the 9th

year of the king (i.e., 1172).

134. Ibid., 122 of 1947-1948.

135. A.R.E., 63 and 73 of 1936-1937.

136. Hari Rao, V.H., Koil Olugu, op.cit., pp. 45 and 55.

115

The record is dated in the 9th

regnal year of the king Tribhuvanachchakra

vartigal Rajadhirajadeva who may be identified with Rajadhirajadeva II on

Paiaeographical considerations.137

The next inscription records an endowment

of 1000 kasu by Virrirundan seman alias Tirukkuraivala[r]tta

Akalankanadalvan of Tiruttavatturai for conducting certain special festivals in

the temple. 138

Another inscription records the penalty taken by Nayan alias Alagiya

Manavala Marayan, a kaikkola-Mudai of Tiruvarajgam, to serve unto death, as

a velaikkaran of Virrirundan semen alias Akalanka-Nadalvan.139

The next

inscription records fealty as in No. 129 above, by Ariyan alias

kidarattaraiyan.140

Another inscription records an other of penalty taken as in

No. 129 above, by Ulagan alias Alaganaich Chola- Marayan.141

Rajadhiraja- II ruled up to 1179 A.D. He was succeeded by Kulottunga-

III. An inscription of Kulottunga- III in the Srirangarn Temple dated in his 19th

year describes his victories over Vira Pandya (the rival of Vikrama Pandya).

Kulottunga- III (1178-1218)

142

137. A.R.E., 63 of 1936-1937.

138. Ibid., 63 of 1936-1937.

139. Ibid., 267 of 1930.

140. Ibid., 68 of 1930.

141. Ibid., 269 of 1930.

142. Ibid., 66 of 1892; S.I.I., Vol.III, No.88.

It is an order of the king to his revenue officers purporting to proceed from God

Ranganatha. This is the everlasting great order of the holy Sriranganatha, who

is the cause of the creation, protection and destruction of the three worlds, but

116

unfortunately the contents of the order are lost. The prasasti, however, is in

tact. Its contents, dealing with his military achievements, are, however, not

relevant to our purpose. An inscription dated in the 6th

year of the king (1184)

registers a gift of the village Tiruvaippadinallur made tax-free for special

worship and offerings to the god. Alagiamanavala Perumal and the goddess on

the day of the Daivattarayan festival by the gopalas, who owned the tenancy

rights in Valiuvappadinadu (in Musiri Taluk, Trichy District.) in

Karikalakannaa valanadu. The donors agreed to pay, in addition, the tax on 250

veli of temple lands. It is not known who that Daivattarayan was, who

instituted this festival.143

The next record dated in the king’s 7th

year registers

an endowment of 2,000 kasu by a lady and her daughter for the merit of the

former’s husband Vagalarkodali alias .... Natha Pallavaraiyar with the monthly

interest on the amount, given as 40 kasu (a high rate of interest working out to

24 per cent per annum) worship was to be conducted to the god on the day of

Rohini, every month, which was the natal star of the deceased.144

The next

record dated in the 8th

year of the king registers a gift of land in Kamappullur

(North Arcot District) alias Sungamtavirtta Cola-caturvedimangalam by

Prithvigangan for maintaining a flower-garden in Periyakoil (Srirangam). As

the land endowed was situated far away evidently its income alone was to be

utilised for rearing the flower garden at Srirangam.145

143. Ibid., 61 of 1936-1937.

144. Ibid., 76 of 1936-1937.

145. Ibid., 258 of 1938-1939.

The next record in the

19th

year of the king (1197) registers the gift of 12 bhujabala madai (gold coins)

to the Srirangam Temple for a lamp by Nunkama Mahadevi, wife of

117

Madurantaka pottappiccolan alias Siddharaisan (i.e., the Telugu Coda

Nallasiddharas, a subordinate of Kulottunga III). 146

The last in this series is

dated in his 20th

regnal year and refers to the floods in the river Kollidam and

the consequent erosion into the lands of the temples of both Srirangam and

Jambukesvaram. As there was need for a resettlement of their boundaries the

king issued orders through Gangayadeva of Annavayil to his local tax

collecting officials, i.e., those who collected the taxes from the temple lands

(puravu van kuru saivar and puravu van naykam saivar) to settle the boundary

dispute between the Vaishnava and Saiva temples. The officers concerned held

consultations with the representatives and superintendents of both the temples,

i.e., representatives of the sabha or the local assembly and the accountants of

the two villages, and gave their award taking into consideration the holdings of

the two temples as they were before the erosion, in the 19th

year of the king.

and the actual enjoyment of rights of both the parties. A suitable exchange of

lands in some cases was also suggested. The award was satisfactory to both the

parties, who demarcated their respective portions by planting boundary stones

with the mark of the tiruvali (Vishnu’s cakra) and the sula (Siva’s trident).147

The iscription records a gift of 4.000 kasu probably for purchase of

some lands. By Kesuvan Sundarattolu daivan alias Singapperumal dasan of

Vembarrur in Pandi mandalam for conducting a service on the day of Uttiram,

146. Ibid., 67 of 1936-1937.

147. Ibid., 113 of 1938-1939.

118

the natar star of the donor.148

The record is dated during the reign (year lost) of

Tribhuvanvanachchaklavar tigal Kulottungacholodeva who was pleased to take

Madurai, and the crowned head of the Pandya i.e., Kulottunga III.149

The next

inscription records vellaigopuram, inner wall place, state that the worship of

the god who was the tutelary deity of the king, and the repairs to the prakara

wall called Magadesan alias Adaiyavalaindantirumaligai were left in charge of

tayilumnallan alias kulottangasolvanakovaraiyar.150

Another inscription records

in the third Prakara, east wall place speaks of a gift of land by Kodaikani

settiyar of kulamukkil for rearing a flower garden called Perundevi for the god.

Vengur Sriramahhatta-vajapeye yajiyar was the srikaryarn of the temple. 151

The

next inscription records in the fourth Prakara, south wall place, bears with the

prasasti puyal vayttu. The record is incomplete. Seems to record an endowmnet

by kan senapati Alvan Alagiya-manavelap perumal for the sacred bath and

offerings to the deity in the name of Si (Sri) Pundarikan on special festival days

in the months of Aippasi and Panguni.152

Another inscription records a gift of land by a resident of Malainadu

(name lost) for rearing a flower garden called Sudikkaduttal for the god, when

Vigukr Sriramabhatta Vajapeya Jiyar was the Srikaryam of the temple.153

148. Ibid., 89 of 1936-1937.

149. Ibid.

150. Ibid.

151. Ibid., 120 of 1938-1939.

152. Ibid., 75 of 1936-1937.

153. Ibid., 119 of 1938-1939.

An

inscription registers the gift of a bronze lamp and 9000 kasu towards supply of

ghee for the same at the rate of 1 nali per day to Alagiyamanavalapperumal by

119

Madhavan ayirkkadan of Murunottamangalam in Malamandalam, evidently

Kulottunga Chola III. After the necessary adjustments, the ali (dise) and the

sula (trident) stones planted demarcating the boundaries.154

An inscription records a gift of buffaloes by a number of kons (Members

of the shepherd community) such as Sriranga-kkon, Senapati Sri

Kulasekarekkon, Alagiyamanavala-kon etc... for supply of ghee towards some

service introduced by Kasyapan Perumal alias Akalanka Brahrnarayat, one of

the Sripadom tangum nambimars.155

Another inscription records a gift of lands in Nagaikku-Mangudi alias

Rajendrasolapuram and three other neighmadeyem by Tiruvanatarnutti(murti)

Arulalan alias Virajendra-Pallavaraiyan, the kilan of Ayandambakkam in

Agudi-nadu, a subdivision of Pularkottam alias Vikramasola valanadu, a

district of Jayangondolamandalam, to some Brahmanas settled by him in the

Rajamahendran - tiruvidiat Tiruvarangam. Tribhuvanachakravatin

konerinmaikondan in whose 24th

year and the 225 day the record is dated, may

be identical with Kulottunga Chola III whose surname Virarajendra was

adopted by the donor. Mention is made of the Pidari Aiyaplil makali.156

An inscription refers to the same transaction as in the previous

record (No. 144) and mentions among the signatures Kalingarayar and

Vanadhirajar.157

154. Ibid., 63 of 1892 ; S.I.I., Vol.IV, No. 510.

155. Ibid., 364 of 1953-1954.

156. Ibid., 146 of 1938-1939.

157. Ibid., 335 of 1952-1953.

The next inscription records registers gift of land after

120

purchase from the temple authorities by Olimangalam-udaiyan,

Tiruvenkadudiyan siriyandan, a merchant of Kulottuagacholapattanam in

Sellur-nadu in Rajaraja Valanadu for offerings to god during the Sandhi

instituted in the temple in the name of the donor. The records dated in the 32nd

regnal year of the king. The agreement was engraved in the north of sripada

which is to the east of Tiruvanubrkan Tirumaigai centaral shrine) as stated in

the inscription. 158

Another inscription records an order of Gangeyarayar fixing the

apportionment of the produce from several classes of temple lands, between the

temple and its tenants.159

The next inscription records that certain lands were

purchased and given as tirunamattukkani for worship and offering to god

Alagiyamanavala-perumal by Ambalavan koyitalvar, a lady who was under the

support (mudugan) of Ambalavon Periya-Peruman alias Jagadekavira Acharya

of Rajarajapuram. 160

Another inscription records gift of rna, one and 1 veli of

land in the village Peyatti in Kulasekhara Saruppedirnangalam by Kesuvan

sundarattoludaiyan alias pillai singapperurnal kuttan for offerings to the

goddess in his name on his birthday every year. 161

An inscription record a gift of land by Uyyakkondalsani, wife of

Kunikkurnpiran Bhattan of Rajakesari-Chaturvedimangalam, a brahmadeya in

158. Ibid., 18 of 1938-1939.

159. Ibid., 32 of 1936-1937.

160. Ibid., 17 of 1936-1937.

161. Ibid., 51 of 1948-1949.

121

Naluir-nadu, a subdivision of Nitrtavinoda valanadu, as tiruvidaiyattan to god

Alagiyamanavala perurnal. 162

Rajaraja III was less resourceful than his father and he was defeated by

the forces of Maravarman Sundara Pandya II (1238-1251). His feudatories

began to assume independence. The Hoysala king, Narasimha II (A.D.1220-

35), championed the Chola cause against the Pandya and other foes and led

repeated expeditions into the Tamil Country. One of these occured in 1221-

1222 and was directed against Srirangam.

Rajaraja- III (1216-1256)

163An inscription of him dated in

S.1145 (A.D.1223) refers to his victorious march against the Trikalinga kings.

164It is certain that about this date Narasimha did not lead an expedition to the

Kalinga kingdom. That the forces from Kalinga or Orissa were in occupation of

the Srirangam Temple in 1223-1225 is known from an inscription in the temple

of the Pandya Maravarman Sundara I, (1216-1238), who is said to have

expelled them from the temple in later year.165

162. Ibid., 34 of 1936-1937.

163. E.C., Vol.VI. Cikmagalur, No,56.

164. E.C., VI.Cannarayapatnam, No.203.

165. A.R.E., 53 of 1893; S.I.I, Vol.IV, No.500.

Hence it is possible to infer that

Narasimha II marched in 1222 upon Srirangarn against the Eastern Kalinga

forces, which were probably advancing against the same shrine about that year.

But we have no knowledge of the sequel though Narasimha’s inscription refers

to his pursuit of the Trikalinga kings “penetrating their train of elephants

displaying unequalled valour.” The forces were expelled by the Pandya forces

122

ultimately as is known from the inscription of Maravarman Sindara Pandya,

which is also of immediate interest.

The next inscription in the fourth prakara of the south wall place record

an endowment of 100,000 kasu to the temple by Deviyar somailadeviyear for a

lamp and a flower-garden 50,000 kasu out of the endowment is said to have

been contributed from the treasury (bhandaram) of the queen somaladeviyar

and the balance by padinenvishaya Brahmachakravarttigal of vangippuram and

tannantulaydesar a dasa nimbi, in equal shares of 25.000 kasu. The former

amount was set apart for the supply of ghee for the lamps

(karpuramamvilakkuk) and out of the latter, two plots of land 8 ma in extent

for a flower garden for 20,000 kasu and 3 veli for 30,000 kasu for maintaining

four gardeners for the upkeep of the garden were purchased. 166

The next inscription records in the fourth prakara wall place, the gift of

1 ½ ma of land in Tirukkukraipparru as Jivanasesham to Eduttakai-Alagiyan

alias Tirukkungudi-Nambi by Marattamman, in the land of Bogaya Dandayaka

for supply a glowe garland every day for the merit of the latter.167

166. Ibid., 72 of 1936-1937.

167. Ibid., 52 of 1948-1949.

In the

inscription in the same place it narrates the gift of a thousand two hundred and

two kuli of land in the brahmadeya village Pudanur by its owner Ilai-Alvan-

123

Bhattan son of [Mattangi] vasudeve-Bhattar of Tribhuvanavirach-

Chaturvedimangalam to the shrine of senapati Alwar for a lamp. 168

Another inscription record grants 2 ma of land by purchase by

Goppanan Senaiboga of Valaya-Dandanayakar for providing flower garlands to

the deity for his own merit. The land was made over to Periyakoyil-Nambi.169

An inscription records a gift of land to Sri (Sri) ramapiran Bhatan alias

Periyakoyil Nambi by chattayan, a senaiboga of Bogaya-Dandanayakar

vallaiya Dandanayaka for his well-being.170

Another inscription records a gift

of land by purchase from Senavaruchehani by Iramayan for the daily offering

of a garland to the deity for his (donor’s) own well-being.171

The next

inscription in the fourth prakara north wall speaks of a gift of land by

purchase, by Vittaya of Malapradhani Sandhivigrahi Bhimannna-Dandanayaka,

a member of Srikaranam of somesvaradeva, for the supply of garlands to the

god Alagiyamanavala Perumal.172

The 1224 AD. Inscription in the same place

narrates the gift of land by purchase by Alagiyamanavala-perumal, son of

Irayan Kondanambi setti of kulamukku in Malaimandalam, to Tiruvarangamaic

Nambi of Nalue a Srivaishnava of Tiruvarangam, for a flower-garden to god

Sriranganatha. 173

168. Ibid., 363 of 1953-1954.

169. Ibid., 156 of 1951-1952.

170. Ibid., 158 of 1951-1952.

171. Ibid., 157 of 1951-1952.

172 . Ibid., 30 of 1936-1937.

173. Ibid., 35 of 1936-1937.

124

Another inscription records the gift of a garden by purchase for 20 pon

(araimanai-mariyadi) as per the prevailing rates to Idavai tiruvarangadasar by

Somakkan, son of Machchavai, an attendant (tadi) of somaladeviyar in order to

serve the lord with garlands for his own merit and for the merit of his

parents.174

The next inscription records the gift of 840,000 Kasu equivalent to

1200 Varaha-gajjanan by changadevannangal, a Mahapradhani of Somesvara

for offerings during service (Sandhi) instituted in the name of his son,

Singanna- Dandanayakkar.175

Another inscription records an endowment of

money by Periyapitatti, the wife of Rayappalli Kandan-Govinda-chettiyar the

Olikkarar of the Srivaishnavas of the Periya koyil in return for her maintenance

out of offerings to god. The endowed amount is stated to be her share of gold

left 1eft by her husband as her jivanaseha, his own share, of the amount of

gold having already been endowed by Govindachettiyar himself to the deity for

an ornament.176

The last in inscription records a gift (details lost) by chinga

Dandesa (Singanna Dandanayaka), minister of Hoysala Somesvara, in the 32nd

regnal year of the king.177

Rajendra III was the last ruler of the Chola Empire. Vazhvur Temple

inscription of the 2nd

regnal year of Rajendra III (A.D. 1247) records the gift of

a garden by purchase towards the daily offering of a big garland to

Aiagiyarnanavlapperumai for the merit of Ilaiya-Perumal, son of sirusingandai

Rajendra- III (1246- 1279)

174. Ibid., 133 of 1938-1939.

175. Ibid., 102 of 1938-1939.

176. Ibid., 30 of 1948-1949.

177. Ibid., 134 of 1938-1939.

125

of Alvarkanmattam, who was the son of Tirupparkad aldasar, a Srivaishnava.178

Another inscription records a gift of two veli of land lying uncultivated on the

banks of the river Kaveri by the Srivaishnavas of Periyakoyil to

Olaimangalamudaiyan Ponnambalakkuttan Tiruvenkadudaiyar and Arulalan

Alagiya Manavalap Perumal, merchants of Kulottunga cholapattanam, for

supply of aval-amudu to the god while seated on Chera Pandiyan Tambiran

Tiruppallik-kattil under the Pugalabharanan canopy in the Vikramacholan-

Periyatirumandapam on the occasion of Uttarayana.179

The 1254 A.D. inscription in the same place narrates the gift of two

pieces of land one of 6 ½ kol and the other of 3 ½ kol to Tirupparkadaldasar

alias Tirunadudaiyavar for maintaining a garden in the former piece and using

the latter for his own livelihood and to offer nine garlands for the merit of

Narasimha-Nayaka, son of Ladadevaya-Nayaka, a Maharaddavyapari

(merchant) and other members of the family including his parents. The record

is dated in the year opposite the 7th

of Rajendra Chola who is given the epithet

Mama somisvarrapratikula-Kaladanda.180

The next inscription records

assignment of fallow land to the Srivaishnavas for being reclaimed and

cultivated for offerings to god on certain specified occasions.181

The last inscription record the redemption of some mortgage by

payment of 52 achchu and seems to record a gift of paddy by Tiran

Paramesvaran of puram in malaimandalam probably for supply of sengalunir

178. Ibid., 148 of 1938-1939.

179. Ibid., 64 of 1892; S.I.I.,Vol IV. No. 511.

180. Ibid., 34 of 1937-1938.

181. Ibid., 317 of 1952-1953.

126

garlands. Also mentions the brahmadeya village Tiruttangaval and refers to a

transaction made during the reign of Maravarman Sundarapandyar (I) Rajendra

evidently Rajendra III. 182

During 1230-1231, Rajaraja III made an attempt to overthrow the

Pandya yoke, but he was defeated by the forces of Maravarman Sundara

Pandya I and imprisoned by his own Kadavaraya feudatory, Kopperunjinga at

Sendamangalam, and was restored to his position by the forces of Hoysala

Narasimha II. The latter had established their camp at Paccur, two miles north

of Srirangam, and Narasimha directed his campaigns against the Pandya from

there. The real object of the Hoysalas was to seize some territory of the Cholas

while ostensibly going to their help against the Pandyas. Consistent with this

policy they changed sides and lent their support to the weak Maravarman

Sundara Pandya II (1238-51) against the energetic Chola Crown-prince,

Rajendra, who became king in his own right (Rajendra III) in 1257. As a result

Hoysala Somesvara (1235-54) succeeded in establishing a subsidiary capital at

After Rajendra III practically the Chola kingdom did not have any

strong ruler and naturally the Pandyas of Madurai easily extended their rule to

the entire Tamil kingdom. This region too was ruled over by the rulers of

Second Pandyan Empire in the Thirteenth Century A.D. Pandya inscription of

this region attests their hegemony in the Srirangam region.

Hoyasla Influence

182. Ibid., 368 of 1953-1954.

127

Kannanur, five miles north of Srirangam, in the heart of the Chola Kingdom. It

was called Vikramapurai.

Inscriptions in the Srirangam Temple in which Hoysala officers and

others figure as donors range between 1232 and 1248, but the reigning king

mentioned is invariably Rajaraja III and not Narasimha II or Somesvara. The

Chola and Hoysala kings had even entered into matrimonial alliances during

this period probably on the understanding that Srirangam and Kannanur were

to be recognised as Chola and Hoyasala respectively. An inscription dated

S.1154 of A.D. l232 registers a gift of land on the occasion of a lunar eclipse

for offerings to Ranganatha during the early morning service by Sriramabhattan

of the Bharadwaja gotra (Bhardwajakulatilakan). The donor is said to have

lived during the time of King Naraharibhupala (Narashimha II), and to the

shrine Tirukkulaludina Pillai (Venugopala Krisna), which was built and

consecrated by Umadevi, the Queen of Ballala 11(1173-1220) at the capital

Dwarasamudra. The son of a great teacher at Kuruhapura (Kurugur) he was an

ardent Vaishnava and proficient in mantric lore.183

Another inscription dated

1233 records a gift of garden by Devaladevi, the Queen of Sornesvara to the

temple. A sum of 4000 kasu had been gifted for purchase of eight velis of land

for the purpose.184

The next record is dated 1238 and registers an endowment of land to

deity of the Srirangam temple by Chattayan, a senaiboga of

Bogayadendanayakkar and Vallaiya-dendunayakkar, the dendunayakas

183. Ibid., 69 of 1936-1937, Pt.II, para 47.

184. Ibid., 54 of 1892; S.I.I.,Vol. IV, No..501; E.I., Vol.VII,p.163.

128

(generals) of Devan Somesvaradeva, for his own well.-being. The gift was

made to Siramapiran Bhattan the Nambi of Periakoil.185

The next record is

dated in the 23rd

year of Rajaraja- III i. e, 1239. It registers a grant of two ma of

land, purchased for 8,540 kasu, by Gopannan for providing flower garlands to

the deity. The land was made over to the Nambi of Periakoil.186

The next

record is dated in the 6th

year of Somesvara, i.e.. 1240. It registers a gift of

garden to the temple made by Somaladevi, one of the queens of Sornesvara.

For this purpose she purchased 20 kulis of land at a cost of 3,000 kasu.187

An

inscription dated in the 31st

year of the Chola king, i.e., 1247, registers a gift of

1,200 varaha-gajjnam (gadyana) equivalent to 840,000 kasu for worship and

offerings during the sandi (worship), instituted in the name of his son Singanna

Dandanayakka, in the Srirangam temple by Sankadevannangal

(Sankaradevadandanayaka), the mahapradhani of Somesvaradeva.188

Singhana

was one of the important generals of Somesvara. Another inscription, dated

1248 (much damaged), refers to Singhanadandesa as a mantri of Sornesvara

and registers some provision for offerings made by him to the deity .

189Another record of same year registers a gift of 15 varaha-gajjanam of gold

made for the daily supply of garlands to Ranganatha for the welfare of

Kamadeva, a son of Tikkanai-nacciyar, one of the queens of Somesvara. 190

185. Ibid., 158 of 1951-1952.

186. Ibid., 156 of 1951-1952.

187. Ibid., 68 of 1892; S.I.I., Vol. IV, No.515.

188. Ibid., 102 of 1938-1939.

189. Ibid., 134 of 1938-1939.

190. Ibid., 147 of 1938-1939

129

The above inscriptions clearly show that friendly relations existed

between Rajaraja- III and Somesvara. The latter, it was seen above, used his

own regnal year in an inscription (dated 1240) recording the gift of a garden by

one of his queens, while the other Hoysala records in the temple carried the

regnal years of the Chola. Somesvara patronized like the other kings of his

dynasty, both Saiva and Vaishnava temples, perhaps with a predilection for the

former. This could be inferred from his more concrete patronage of the Saiva

temple of Jambukesvaram or Tiruvanaikkal, lying within a mile to the east of

the Vaishnava temple of Srirangarn. From his inscriptions in this temple it is

known, that he set up images of gods with suitable shrines, in North

Jambukesvaram, in the name of his grand father Balala-II (Vallalesvara), his

grand mother Padmala (Padmalesvara), his father Narasimha-II (Vira

Narasimhesvara) and his queen Somala (Somalisvara).191

. The Seven-storeyed

gopura in the east of the temple is attributed to him by an epigraph.192

He also

instituted in the main temple a festival in his name, Vira-Somesvaran-

Tirunal.193

191. Ibid., 18 of 1891; 119 of 1936-1937.

192. Ibid., 1892, para 7; 1936-1937, pt.II, para 48.

193. Ibid., 121 of 1936-1937.

These, however, do not justify the assumption of the late

Government Epigraphist, C.R.Krishnamacharlu that Somesvara was a bigoted

Saiva, who was hostile to Srirangarn. He says : “Somesvara’s records are not

found at Srirangam, the famous Vaishnava centre: and this justifies the remarks

made in the opening verse of the Srirangam inscription of Jatavarman Sundara

Pandya I that Somesvara had reduced to a pitiable state the lotus pond of

130

Srirangam.194

The inscriptions of Somesvara in the Srirangam Temple do not

reveal any hostility of a Saiva monarch against a Vaisnava temple. On the other

hand they show the patronage - members of his family or his officers. So far as

the statement in the inscription of Jatavarman Sundara Pandya is concerned it is

clearly a poetical convention. It is implied that the lotus in the lotus-pond of

Srirangam “suffered” (or had gone into a slumber) under the moon of Karnata.

i.e., Somesvara (soma-moon) and blossomed again under the rise on the sun

among kings, i.e., Jatavarman Sundara Pandya-I.195

The Kaliyugaraman gopura, in the east Citra street, shows the Hoysala

symbol of the Gandahherunda on each of its four jarnbs and the Pandya symbol

of a pair of fish on the beams of the ceiling. The gopura closely resembles that

of Jambukesvararn built by Sornesvara. It may reasonably be stated that the

gopura was a product of the joint efforts of the Hoysala king, probably

Sornesvara, and Jatavarman Vira Pandya (acc.1297), surnamed

Kaliyugaraman.196

While referring to an inscription of Narasimha II in

Srirangam, the Government Epigraphist said that the highly ornate shrine of

Venugopala-Krisna in the fourth prakara “with Sculptures and figurines

resembling Hoysala work but with no inscriptions on its walls” possibly came

into existence ‘during the period of the Hoysala Occupation of Srirangam and

its environs i.e.. in the reign of Rajaraja III.197

194. Ibid., 1936-1937, Pt.II, para. 48.

195.The Hoysalas generally encouraged the building of Jaina, Vaishnava and Saiva

monuments.

196. A.R.E., , 19 of 1891

197. Ibid., 1936-1937, Part.II, para 47.

So far as the Hoysala occupation

of Srirangam and its environs is concerned it was suggested above that

131

Kannanur was perhaps the limit of Hoysala occupation and it did not extend

upto Srirangarn. Here again the epigraphist was not right as the study of the

architecture and sculpture of this shrine does not show any Hloysala feature or

influence, neither is there any striking resemblance with those of the

Hoysalesvara temple at Kannanur, which is known to have been built by

Somesvara. 198

A series of inscriptions in the Srirangam temple ranging from 1256 to

1269 carry the regnal years of Hoysala Vira-Ramanatha. This shows that either

the Hoysalas regained their position in the area of Srirangam and Kannanur

after the brief but resplendent digvijaya of Jatavarman Sundara (1256-58) or

that they were ruling as his subordinate allies. A record Vira-Ramanatha dated

in his 2nd

regnal year (1256) refers to the gift of a garden to the temple by a

horse dealer (Kudiraiccetti) of Malaimandalam (Malayala Territory) called

Nallur Tuppanayakkan. The girt was made over to Tiruvaravanai Niraindar, a

Sripadamtangurn Nambimar, along with a piece of land for his sustenance. The

recipient was to supply daily two garlands to the temple.

It is a true representation of the orthodox South Indian style of

temple architecture and it perhaps belongs to the late Vijayanagar period. The

connections of Hoysala Vira-Ramanatha, son and successor of Somesvara, with

the Srirangam temple are also remarkable.

Vira Ramanatha (1256-1279 A.D.)

199

198. Ibid., 18 of 1891.

199. Ibid.

An inscription

dated the 3rd

year of Ramanatha (1257) records the foundation of a Salai

(Arogyasalai) in the procession path (tirunadai-maligai) to the west of the

132

northern gopura in the fourth prakara of the temple. The donor, Cingadeva

Singana Dandanayaka, is called a pradhani of Vira Ramanatha. He made an

endowment of land situated in Mummadisola Caturvedimangalam (Laigudi

Taluk) for the upkeep of the Salai. The arogyasalai (hospital) itself was

entrusted to Garudavahana Pandita, styled the raksaka or protector of the

donor.200

This Garudavahana is said to have composed a Prabandam called

Rangaghosanai, which is non existtence. The Koil Olugu, most probably

deriving its information from this record, says that Gangaidevar Singam

Dandanayakkar, the agent of Pratapacakravarti (a title of ViraRamanatha)

constructed the Arogyasalai and the procession path in the fourth enclosure of

the temple.201

The next inscription is dated in the 7th

year of Rarnanatha

(1261).202

The Tiruppundurutti record of Jatavarman Sundara Pandya, dated

1258, suggests that in that year or the year before, the Srirangam Temple had

received his great gifts Thus the gap, 1257 to 1261, in the records of

Ramanatha is significant. This s highly damaged record. It seems to register a

gift of land for a flower garden by a member of the mint establishment

community Kambattattu Anikkarar. The next is dated in his 8th

year (1262)

and it records a gift of land for a garden to the temple for the merit of

Ramanatha’s queen Kamaladevi and her two daughters, Periyatangi Iraiyakkan

and Viccanan. 203

200. Ibid., 67 of 1892; S.I.I., Vol.IV.No.514.

201. Ibid., 80 of 1936-37; E.I., Vol.XIV, p.90.

202. Hari Rao, V.H., Koil Olugu, op.cit., p.13.

203. A.R.E., 74 of 1936-1937.

Another record in the temple, also belonging to the 8th

year of

the king, registers a gift of gold by Sahala Bhatta, son of Ahala Bhatta of the

133

Sakala gotra, who belonged to th community of Paradesi Savasi (Sahavasi)

merchants, for offerings during one service in the temple and for supplying

garlands to the God for the merit of the donor and his son. The donor was

Brahmana engaged in trade. 204

The next is dated in his 12th

year (1266). 205

This inscription opens with an enumeration of all the birudas of the dead

Somesvara. In this year there was a peaceful visit to the Srirangam Temple of

the royal household, which included Ponnambala Mahadeviyar, the sister of

Vira-Ramanatha and daughter of Somesvara by Devaladevi. She figures as the

donor in this inscription. It records her gift of gardens to the temple. Out of

their yields were to be supplied the provisions for the tiruvaradana, etc. of the

Karthikai festival. Tirumanattun Nambi was to supply the garlands. An

interesting record in the temple without date may be assigned to the 14th

year of

Rarnanatha. These records the setting up of a Sarasvaribhandara or library in a

mantapa erected for the purpose by Paappalli Nilakantha Nayakar. Who also

installed nearby the images of Sarasvatidevi. Vedavyasa Bhagavan and

Hayagriva, the three presiding deities of learning. Money was also gifted for

the provision of offerings to the deities.206

This donar is known to have made

an endowment in the 14th

year of Vira-Rarnanathadeva (1268) to the

neighbouring Jambukesvaram Temple.207

204. Ibid., 62 of 1936-1937.

205. Ibid., 70 of 1936-1937, Pt.II, para. 50.

206 . Ibid., 57 of 1892; S.I.I., Vol. IV, No.504.

207. Ibid., 139 of 1938-1939; Pt.II, para 70.

The library was probably housed in a

portion of the mantapas, now occupied by the Madappalli in the 3rd

prakara,

where the inscription was found. The next record of Ramanatha temple is dated

134

in his 15th

year (1269).208

Among the important feudatory chiefs of Cholas who held sway over the

region around Srirangam mention should be made of the Telugu Cholas. With

their headquarters at Srirangam, they contributed to the cultural growth of that

city by their liberal greants to various institutions and encouraged the temple

building activities. Their contribution to Vaishnava religious faith is

noteworthy. The chiefs of this family were the subordinates of the Imperial

Cholas from the days of Kulottunga 1(1070-1122 A.D.) when the Chola power

became extinct at a later stage; they shifted their allegiance to the Kakatiyas. It

is concerned with the Telugu Cholas and their political ties with Kottunga- III

(1178-1218 A.D) and Srirangarn. It was then that they came in close contact

with Srirangam which became their headquarters.

This records the gift of a private person who calls

himself Kariyamari Sakalavidyacakravartin to Ranganatha of four ornaments ,

viz., a golden vase (kalanji), a diamond crown (karanda juta), and two fly-

whisks (camaras) with golden handles, which he had previously received from

Vira Pandya.

Telugu Cholas (1204-1205 A.D)

209

It follows from an inscription of 1197 AD. from Srirangam that

Kulottunga- III had lost hold over Kanchi and he had to recapture it from the

Northerners.210

208. Ibid., 4 of 1937-1938.

209. Ibid., 52 of 1892; SI.I., Vol. IV, No.499.

210. Srinivasan, C.R.. Kanchipurarn through the Ages, Delhi, 1979, p.210; S.I.I.,

Vol.III, No. 88.

135

The last inscription records a gift of the village Munomutti alias Sriranganallur

in Pattaiya nadu (mentioned as momani in Pantarashtra in the Sanskrit verse) to

god Ranganatha by Nalla sidharasa alias Madhurantaka pottappich-chola as

Tiruvidaiyattarn (1204- 1205 A.D). The genealogy of the donor is delineated as

follows in the Sanskrit verse. Srikanata (i.e. Vishnu) (from him) Kamalasana

(i.e. Brahrna), (from him) the Sun, (than) Madu (then) Raghava (in their

lineage) Kalikala-Chola and in his lineage day Bhima, his son Petta; to him

Era-siddhi, and then Tammusiddhi (the donor) the younger brother of Manma

siddhi, born of Sridevi to Era Siddhi. At the end of the record it is stated that (a

copy of) the record is to be engraved at the entrance into the courtyard

(tirumurram) of Tirupparkadal (i.e. the temple of Vishnu) at Nellur. 211

The conditions in Karnataka during the Chola rule were rather critical

natives and will-chiefs formed a confederacy to oust them from their native

land. The earliest reference to this is the confederacy of the Hoysala chiefs

against the Chola victory Aprameya who was defeated in the battle of

Kaliyuru.212

211. A.R.E., 367 of 1953-1954.

212. E.C., Vol V., No. 220.

The Hoysalas not only expelled the Cholas though subsequently

they shared the responsibilities with the latter in rescuring them from

disintegration of their vast empire in the further south. The prestige issue did

not come in the way of the magnanimous nature of Karnataka rulers who took

up the cause of the Cholas in the latter’s country.

Kakatiyas and Srirangam (1317 A.D.)

136

The Kakatiyas began their rule in circa in 1000 A.D. But the earliest

reference of the association of Kakatiya with Srirangam is obtained from the

Srirangam temple inscription.213

The immediate successors of the Chola at Srirangam were the Gajapati.

Only one inscription records the gift of 1000 cows towards milk and ghee

offerings made by Dakohina Kapilesvara Hambira-kumara- Mahapatra (1464

A.D.) is found. It is learnt from the inscription that the imperial dynasties of the

period viz, the Cholas, the Hoysalas and the Pandyas had set a great store by

their occupation of the city. It is further learnt form these inscriptions that the

imperial as well as viceregal authorities had greatly encouraged and patronized

the powerful and influential merchant guilds which must have considerably

boosted up the economic prosperity of the imperial city.

Only one inscription of the gift (dalails lost)

by Devari- Nayaningaru, son of Machaya Nayaningaru, whose achievements

against the Pancha Pandya and Kerala Kulasekhara etc., in his southern

expedition are enumerated devari-nayaka is described as the Nayaka of king

Prataparudra deva Maharaja and is given the epithets kakatarya sthapanacharya

and Svmidrohara gands. Thus the Kakatiya relation with Srirangam was remote

and its occupation temporary. They had little opportunity to contribute to the

cultural growth of this place such as through temple building and similar other

activates.

The Gajapatis

214

213. A.R.E., 79 of 1938-1939.

214 . Ibid., 87, 140 of 1937 and 1938-1939.

137

Srirangam is an important Vaishnavite temple town in the Chola period.

The Chola Rulers built many prakaras of this temple. For three centuries, the

Cholas contributed much for the development of this temple and its town. The

Chola rule was well extended over the Srirangam region also.The Cholas

granted many gifts for the religious practices in this temple. Tax-free lands

were also donated to this temple. Many Chola inscriptions speak about the

material contribution of the Chola Kings and other donars for the daily use of

this temple. Even though the Chola Kings were ardent supporters of Saivism,

they extended their patronage to the Vaishnava temples like Sriranganatha

Swamy Temple of Srirangam. The Chola feudatories also contributed for the

cultural activities in the Srirangam temple.