05. INSCRIPTIONS RELATING TO ILANGOVATHI MUTHARAYAR :

ILANGOVATHI MUTHARAYAR : There is an inscription at the base of the dwarapalaka statue at Vijayalaya Choleeswaram which clearly states that the original temple was built by Ilangovathi Mutharayar (alias) Chathambuthi which was damaged by rain and the same was rebuilt with granite stones by Mallan Vithuman Mutharaya king in 886 A.D. This is a clear evidence that the temple was in existence prior to Vijayalaya chola, though at present the temple is called Vijayalaya Choleeswaram. The temple Vijayalaya Chozhisvaram is a marvellous piece of art built by a Muttaraiyar chief, Ilango Adi Araiyan . This is inferred from an inscription under one of the dvara-palaka- s. The inscription says that the temple was originally built by one Sembudi, also called Ilango Adi Araiyan , and that is suffered damage by heavy rains and was repaired by one Mallan-viduman also called Tennavan Tamil Adi Araiyan . Ilangovathi Mutharayar = Ilango Adi Araiyan = Chathambuthi = Sembudi Mallan Vithuman = Mallan-viduman = Tennavan Tamil Adi Araiyan This name was referred to, for the first time, in a 13 th century, Mara-varman Sundara- pandya inscription and it has survived obscuring the fact that the temple was erected by the Muttaraiyar-s. As far as the dating of the builder Ilango Adi Araiyan is concerned there are two opinions. Some are of the opinion that he belonged to the time of the Pallava king Nandi-varman II or even to that his predecessor (8 th century AD). Other experts opine that he belonged to the time of Vijayalaya Chozha (second half of 9 th century AD). This is an interesting Muttaraiyar temple constructed in Vesara style and with ashta- parivara-s. The west facing main shrine would have been at the centre of a large courtyard and surrounded by the eight sub-shrines within the courtyard. These sub-shrines are in various stages of ruin. The complex is surrounded by a prakaram.The Vijayalaya Choleeswaram in Narthamalai, though so called under the name of the founder of the Chola dynasty of Thanjavur, is a fine example of Mutharayar style of construction and indeed a forerunner of the magnificent temple at Gangaikondacholapuram built by Rajendra Chola. The first and second thala (base) of the temple vimanam is square in shape while the third is circular (vasara) and the griva and Sikhira also are circular. The dwarapalakas at the entrance of the temple are beautifully decorated. The temple as well as the six shrines and one upto the foundation level around the temple are all built with granite stones. About 15 years ago, the Archaeological survey of India had restored and re-built the dilapidated parts of the temple complex in a brilliant manner keeping to the original style which exhibits the pioneering efforts of the Mutharayars. The Muthumariamman temple at Narthamalai is perhaps one of the most important and popular temples drawing tens of thousands of devotees during the annual festivals in the temple. Narthamalai is one of the finest examples of the cultural and sculptural heritage of the ancient days, and one should acknowledge with gratitude the excellence of the Archaeological Survey of India in maintaining these structures after restoration.Narthamalai came under the sway of the Mutharayars from 7 th to 9 th century who were the vassals of the Pallava kings of Kanchi and Pandya kings of Madurai and was later conquered by the Cholas of Thanjavur. The Mutharayars according to the available information had their headquarters at Nemam near Tirukattupalli and held their sway over Tiruchi, Thanjavur and Pudukottai regions until the emergence of the mighty Cholas of Thanjavur. Narthamalai, a heritage complex, consists of nine small hillocks - Melamalai, Kottaimalai, Aluruttimalai, Kadambarmalai, Perayarmalai, Uvakkanmalai, Manmalai, Bommattimalai and Ponmalai and the shrub forests surrounding the same is a habitat for peacock, deers etc. This is so because a large part of the region comes under the forest reserve area. According to mythology they were parts of the Sanjeevimalai carried by Lord Hanuman during the war between Rama and Ravana.Keeranur: It is about 30 km from Pudukottai on the way to Thiruchirapalli. It was an important locality in the middle ages. The Uthama Nathaswami temple here has a Mutharaya edifice . The temple has epigraphs of the Cholas and Vijayanagar.