Tamil Nadu - Tiruchi   

Three inscriptions found at temple

RARE FIND: One of the inscriptions found at the Cholisvaram temple at Mettu Mahadanapuram.

TIRUCHI: Three new inscriptions, one of them dating back to the 11th century A.D., has been discovered at the Cholisvaram temple at Mettu Mahadanapuram, off the Tiruchi-Karur Highway, by research scholars of the Dr.M. Rajamanikkanar Centre for Historical Research, Tiruchi.

A six-line inscription found on the southern wall of the Ardha Mandapa says Ananda Kutha Sokiyar had built the temple. A sculpture seen to the right of the inscription depicts the builder in a seated posture. His ears are elongated, without any ornament. With a clean shave head and a short attire at the hip, Sokiyar is depicted worshipping a lingam kept in front.

The lingam has a square ‘Avudaiyar’ (base), decorated as a full-blown lotus. The lingam is adorned with a flower garland, said R. Kalaikkovan, Director, Dr. M. Rajamanikkanar Centre.

The inscriptions were copied during a recent study conducted by scholars of the centre.

Two other short inscriptions, dating back to the 19th century A.D., were discovered on the frontal pillars of the Ardha Mandapa.

The south pillar gives the name of the donor as Nalla Thambi Pulavan. Another pillar records the name of its donor as Dhanmarayan.

A rare icon of Vinayaka, celebrated as ‘Uchishta Ganapathy,’ is also found in the temple. The Vinayaka is represented in Lalithasana with ‘karanda makuta.’

His lower right hand has a broken tusk, while the upper hand has the ‘angusam.’ His left upper hand is hugging his consort, who is seated on his left thigh with a flower in her right hand. The proboscis is seen near the lap of the consort.

With the temple in a dilapidated condition, surrounded by bushes and creepers, Dr. Kalaikkovan said, the centre would soon submit a report to the Commissioner of Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments for renovation.

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