No. 116 to 118 Dandisvara at Velachcheri, Vishnu temple at Tirumalpuram

No. 111 to 112 Adimulesvara temple at Tiruppalatturai

No. 113 to 115 Ghritasthanesvara, Dandisvara & Adhipurisvara temples

 

No. 116.—  ON THE WEST WALL OF THE CENTRAL SHRINE IN THE DANDISVARA TEMPLE AT VELACHCHERI[1]

This is again an inscription of Madiraikonda Rajakesarivarman dated in the 7^th year of his reign.  It registers a gift of land by purchase, by two Vellala brothers of Onpadirruveli in Arkattu-kurram, a subdivision of Sonadu, to the Mahadeva temple of Tiruttandisvaram at Velichcheri.

Onpadirruveli may be identified with Ombattuveli in the Tanjore taluk of the Tanjore district.  Arkadu which was evidently the headquarters of the subdivision Arkattu-kurram is now a petty village in the vicinity of Tirukkattuppalli.

(Line 1.) Hail ! Prosperity ! In the 7^th year of (the reign of) king Rajakesarivarman who took Madirai (Madura), we (the members) of the great assembly of Velichcheri in Puliyur-kottam, having gather in assembly without deficienty, in the Brahmasthana of our village, sold the (following) land : — 

(L. 4.) the . . . . . . . . . . the land included in the tank of Adambulanali of . . . . . . . . . . the eastern hamlet of this village . . . . . .  ..  .. . . . . .  west . . . . . . . . . this path ; the southern boundary (is) to the north of the (channel called) Manayittu –kal; the western boundary (is) to the east of the path which passes by the tank (called) Tattaneri; and the northern boundary (is) to the south of the channel of Kottur.  We sold the land situated within the enclosure of these four boundaries excluding the land . . . . . . . . . .. . . .  within (it) (but) without excluding the unnilam.

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(L. 9.) Having given the sale money and kil-irai thus, Indran Palanattadigal thecultivator (vellalan) of Onpadirruveli in Arkattu-kurram, (a subdivision) of Sonadu, and his younger brother Annamalai, got (this land) sold (to them) and we sold (the land) having received in full the sale-money of this land from these two persons.  We (the members of the assembly) shall not show (in our account books) any kind of tax as accruing on this land such as irai, echchoru, amanji, free labour (vetti), vedinai and antaraya.  We (the members) of the big assembly gave a written agreement that (the assembly of) all Mahesvaras (alone) shall (have the right to) levy, in case they choose (to do so), to be credited to the council of justice (dharmasana), a fine of these[2] two-hundred kanam on each of the persons that show (any such tax) (in the books).  We (the members) of the big assembly (also) gave a written agreement that the two tenants who cultivate this land (shall have) all exemptions.  At the command of these (members), I, Vaikanasan Peruman-Bhattan, wrote (this).

(L. 18.) (We) Indran Palanattadigal and his younger brother Annamalai granted on the same terms (the land) obtained in this wise from the members of the big assembly of our (village) Velichcheri to Mahadeva (Siva) of (the temple of) Tiruttandisvaram in this village for burning one perpetual lamp as long as the moon and the sun (endure) and for the presentation of sacred offerings (prepared) with two nali of rice, at midday, to (the god) Ganapati set up in the sacred shrine which we had built in this temple.  We, the following Siva-Brahmanas (viz.,) Gangadhara-Siva, Amirta-ranjana-Siva and Ponmalai-Siva of (i.e., attached to) the sacred central shrine in (the temple) Tiruttandisvaram received this land (on the understanding) that obtaining this land given by these persons, we shall burn this perpetual lamp and (also) present sacred offerings to Ganapati.  We (agree) to conduct this service without default as long as the moon and the sun (endure).  If (any) default (happens) we shall double the scale (of service).  The eighty great men of the administrative assembly (gana), the king reigning at the time, and (the assembly of) all Mahesvaras shall protect this charity.

No. 117.—  ON THE SOUTH WALL OF THE CENTRAL SHRINE IN THE RUINED VISHNU TEMPLE AT TIRUMALPURAM[3]

This inscription is dated in the 17^th year of Madiraikonda Rajakesarivarman and registers a gift of 96 sheep for a lamp to the Vishnu temple at Govindapadi in Valla-nadu, a subdivision of Damar (Damal)-kottam.

Govindavadi and Damal are villages in the Conjeeveram taluk of the Chingleput district.  The former is quite close to Tirumalpuram in the Arkonam taluk of the North Arcot district and is identical  with the Govindapadi of our inscription.

Hail ! Prosperity ! In the 17^th year of (the reign of) king Rajakesarivarman who took Madirai (Madura), Kesavan Raman alias Sembiyan Panaiyur-nattu-Velan, (a native) of Panaiyur in Tenkarai Panaiyur-nadu, (a subdivision) of Sola-nadu gave ninety-six sheep for burning, as long as the moon and the sun (endure), one sacred perpetual lamp to the god (perumanadigal) who was pleased to stand at the sacred (temple of) Gondindapadi In Valla-nadu, (a subdivision) of Damar-kottam.  (All) Sri-Vaishnavas shall protect this (charity).  Do not forget charity !

No.118.—  IN THE SAME PLACE[4]

This inscription is also dated in the 17^th year of the same king and registers a lamp gift to the temple mentioned in No.117.  Thedonors belonged to Kilmalai, Venkala-nadu and Tiruppasur.  The last place is at a distance of 2 miles from Tiruvallur, Chingleput district.

Hail ! Prosperity ! In the 17^th year of (the reign of) king Rajakesarivarman, who took Madirai (Madura), Pallavalpperaraiyan alias Rajakesaripperaraiyan of Kilmalai, Mummalaiyan of Venkala-nadu and Muttaraiyan of Tiruppasur gave . . . . . . . . . . . . . for burning as long as the moon and sun (endure), one sacred perpetual lamp to the god (perumanadigal) who was pleased to stand at the sacred (temple of) Govindapadi in Valla-nadu, (a subdivision) of Damar-kottam.