Ramayana Murals: A Surprise in Bodi Nayakanur Palayapattu Zamin Palace

 

 

Photography: ram.krish8278 [30 July 2009]

Photography: தினமலர். நவம்பர் 24,2012

Bodi Nayakanur is the small town located in the foot hills of Western Ghats in Theni district in Tamil Nadu. This beautiful place serves as the vantage point for the tourist places in the Western Ghats i.e, Munnar, Bodi Mettu, Cumbum Mettu, Thekkadi and Suruli Falls etc.  The town is aptly named as "The South Kashmir" for its chill weather, rustic atmosphere, ubiquitous lush green stretches of cultivated lands and tea plantations, mesmerizing blue mountains with rocky peaks, resounding cascades and the antique temples. It is a market place for cardamom, coffee, tea, pepper, and silk-cotton.

Bodi Nayakanur Zamin palace 

Bodi Nayakanur Zamin palace is the historical place and the residence of Zamindars of Bodi Nayakanur Palayapattu Zamin. The three storied Bodi Nayakanur Zamin palace resembles the architectural styles of Jodhpur Palace of Rajasthan and this structure is enclosed by huge perimeter wall. This antique monument was built with lime mortar, intricately carved teak wooden pillars, Maharashtra style wooden arches, entablature, cornice, beams and doors. The palace houses a vast durbar hall (ceremonial meeting hall of the royal court), Lakshmi Vilasam hall, Visitors hall, 'Ukkiranam' or store room, paddy granary, 'Gotha' or sports pavilion, horse staple and elephant staple.The entrance or Acharavasal as well as the interiors are embellished with wooden sculptures. Once upon a time Lakshmi Vilasam was used as treasury and stored gold, gems and ornaments.

Mural Paintings from Ramayana Epic 

Historians believe that the tradition of mural painting scenes from Hindu epics on the wall originated from Pallava kings. The mural paintings on the walls of the dubar hall and Lakshmi Vilasam hall showcase rare and unique depiction of scenes from the epic Ramayana and they speak volumes about the fine arts traditions Rajakambalam Nayakars of Tamil Nadu. The panel of paintings drawn side by side appear fresh and depicts Ramakathai (இராமகாதை) i.e, Deva's reporting to Lord Vishnu, Coronation ceremony of Sri Rama, women celebrating the festival with cheers, war techniques and war scenes, king's court, bathing women and so on. The zamindars of Bodi Nayakanur Palayapattu are the descendants of the tradition of sage Kalaikottu Munivar. The paintings on Ramayana weddings reflects the rituals followed in Rajakambalam Nayakar weddings.

The painters have prepared paints with the right mixture of herbal extracts, colored stone powders and vajram (indigenous gum) and this paint was used to draw the entire Ramayana scenes on the walls. The white and black color paint coatings are used as the base and the images are painted on this base. The paintings also include brief explanations in colloquial Tamil. The Tamil scripts used does not exhibit dots and this practice could be in confirmation with palm leaf manuscript writing traditions.

 

The Lakshmi Vilasam hall also exhibits the rare painting of Vadamalai Nachiammannai, the 'Kula deivam' (family deity) of Bodi Nayakanur Palayapattu Zamindars, depicted as Ashtalakshmi with eight hands. The painted deity is worshiped annually with grandeur. This palace is frequently visited by epigraphists, archaeologists, lovers of paintings and foreign tourists.

History

The Rajakambalam Nayakar people, a Telugu speaking   migrated from Andhra Pradesh and settled in the western and Kongu regions of Tamil Nadu. They have been referred to by many other names, including Kambalatar, Kambalatu Nayakar, Kodangi, and Kodanginaicken. Vegiliyar Sillavar (வேகிளியார் சில்லவார்) is the sub-sect of Rajakambalam Nayakars, who migrated from Kuthu Bellary (Now called Kotha Bellary) region, Andhra Pradesh due to Muslim invasion. They reached the southern parts of Madurai and settled first in Jakkampatti (near Andipatti, Theni district), later moved to Silvarpatti (near Jambuliputhur, Theni district) and finally settled in Bodi Nayakanur region. They are partially Telugu speaking Tamil community and they were initially lead by Jaggu Nayakar. At that time this region was controlled by Poonaiyar Raja.  Once this region was threatened by the wild boar and Jaggu Nayakar killed that wild boar. Poonaiyar Raja was very much pleased by the brave act of Nayakar and honoured him with the title 'Rasi' Nayakar and offered gold bracelet, palanquin etc. Later he also commissioned him as the chieftain of this (present Bodi) region. Jaggu Nayakar ruled Bodi Nayakanur region as independent chieftain.

Period           Zamindar Name

1376 - 1413: Raga Nayakar aka. Rama Nayakar

1413 - 1454: Jaggu Nayakar aka. Sakkana Nayakar

1454 - 1483: Bangaru Muthu Nayakar

1502 - 1520: Bodi Muthu Nayakar

1520 - 1531: Jaggu Muthu Nayakar

1540 - 1554: Sila Bodi Nayakar. Sila Bodi Nayakar protected Tirumalai Nayakar of Madurai from Muthu Mullakan, when he waged against Madurai Nayak with a strong army. Tirumalai Nayakar was pleased by this act of bravery and honoured Sila Bodi Nayakar with the title 'Tirumalai.' From then onwards his successors added this title 'Tirumalai' before their names. When Thalavoy Ariyanatha Mudhaliar divided the Madurai Nayakar kingdom into 72 Palayams (Armed stations), Bodi Nayakanur was formed as the first Palayam. Previously it was known as Tirumanjanakadu. Nayakars added their family name Bodi and rechristened as Bodi Nayakanur aka. Bodi Palayapattu. Tirumalai Sila Bodi Nayakar became the first Palayakarar of Bodi Nayakanur. 

1554 - 1576: Tirumalai Bodaiya Nayakar

1576 - 1602: Tirumalai Bangaru Muthu Nayakar. He was instrumental in organizing the annual festival and car festival of Subramanyasway Temple, Periyakulam; also constructed the Poolanandhar temple near Chinnamanur and formed Singarathoppu Nandhavanam.

1602 - 1632: Tirumalai Bodaiya Nayakar

1632 - 1684: Mukkanna Nayakar

1684 - 1701: Rasu Nayakar

1701 - 1737: Sakkarappa Nayakar. No legal heir to succeed him. His wife succeeded him.

1737 - 1747: Thoppammal W/o Sakkarappa Nayakar

1747- 1775: Sila Jakkanna Nayakar Brother of Sakkrappa Nayakar. Mira Saheb, Subedar of  Carnatic Nawab collected 1000 panam as tribute, tax (கப்பம்). This tribute was increased to 2500 panam by Millet, (Britisher) collector of Madurai. 

1775 - 1778: Bodi Nayakar. He also lacked legal heir to succeed.

1778 - 1800: Tirumalai Bodi Nayakar Brother of Bodi Nayakar succeeded him. He only built the fort to protect him from Tipu Sultan. He married six women. His sixth wife delivered five sons and one daughter.   

1849 - 1862: Bangaru Tirumalai Bodi Nayakar succeeded him. He only constructed the above mentioned Bodi Palace in Bodi Nayakanur. He also raised the Subramanyaswamy temple. He loved hunting and he used to accompanied with collector Rose Peter (Britisher) and was awarded with gold medallion. The crime rate was lesser during his tenure and this was commended suitably by British India government. In 1862, Bangaru Tirumalai Nayakar expired and his legal heir Tirumalai Bodaiya Kamaraja Pandya Nayakar was only a child. So British Indian Government administered the Zamin. The prince came to power only after sometime. Later British Indian government took over the zamin and the legal heirs remain with the name as zamin family.

This antique palace not only houses rare paintings, wooden sculptures, carvings, aesthetically built halls and rooms but also serves as the residences of two families who are the surviving legal heirs of Bodi Nayakanur Palayapattu zamin. However the historical (zamin) identity of the palace is fading slowly.

Reference:

1. ராமாயணக் கதை சொல்லும் போடி அரண்மனை! தினமலர். நவம்பர் 24,2012. http://temple.dinamalar.com/news_detail.php?id=14773
2. திருமலை போடி நாயக்கர்  http://rajakambalarocks.blogspot.in/2011/12/blog-post_07.html
3. ஓவியங்களால் ஒரு அரண்மனை - பங்காரு திருமலை கட்டிய அரண்மனை
4. தினமலர் 12 பிப்ரவரி 2013
5. பொலிவிழந்த போடி நாயக்கனூர் ஜமீன்  தினமணி  அக்டோபர் 31, 2013
6. Bodinayakanur, Theni District, Tamilnadu http://chennaiepages.com/blog/bodinayakanur-theni-district-tamilnadu/

YOUTUBE 

போடிநாயக்கனூர் வரலாறு ! Bodinayakanur History by Bodinayakanur Bodi

 

Thiruvellarai Swastik Well by Dantivarma Pallava and Pundarikakasha Perumal Temple

நன்றி: புகைப்படம் பராந்தக சோழன் முகநூல்

நன்றி: புகைப்படம் பராந்தக சோழன் முகநூல்

நன்றி: புகைப்படம் தி இந்து

Thiruvellarai (திருவெள்ளரை) Pundarikaksha Perumal (புண்டரிகாட்ஷப் பெருமாள்) Temple, Manachanallur Taluk, Tiruchirapalli district is the most ancient Vaishnavite shrine located about 20 km. from Tiruchirapalli and lying on the Tiruchirapalli - Thuraiyur Road.  It is the fourth among the 108 Divya Desams (திவ்ய தேசம்) (Azhwars (ஆழ்வார்கள்) or holy Vaishnavite saints, who invoked Lord Vishnu with the hymn of Nalayira Divya Prabandham (நாலாயிர திவ்யப் பிரபந்தம்) or 4000 holy hymns compositions in 108 shrines. Thiruvellarai Divya Desam or Vaishnavite shrine was invoked by Periyazhwar (பெரியாழ்வார்) and Thirumangai Azhwar (திருமங்கை ஆழ்வார்). The shrine is believed to be much older than Sri Rengam, the First Divya Desam. The temple is dedicated to Lord Pundarikaksha Perumal aka. Lord Senthamaraikkannan (செந்தாமரைக்கண்ணன்) (Lotus eyed Lord), a form of Vishnu who appears in a standing  posture in a separate sanctum. The sanctum of the prime deity can be worshiped through two gateways i.e, Dakshinayanam Gate (தட்ஷணாயன வாயில்) (open during Dakshinayana period) and Uttharayana Gate (உத்தராயண வாயில்) (open during Uttharayana period). His consort Goddess Pankajavalli (Pankayavalli) (பங்கஜவல்லி என்ற பங்கயவல்லி), a form of Goddess Lakshmi graces her devotees in a separate sanctum.  There is a huge and incomplete Rajagopuram (prime tower) with the flight of steps. There is an inner tower after Rajagopuram. The built-up temple is enclosed and fortified by huge walls. There are stone built rooms at the outer corridor and any sound produced around here will be echoed.

The temple was built on a whitish rocky hillock which is over 50 feet height from ground level. (White rock = venparai or Vellarai. வெண்பாறை = வெள்ளரை). It is believed that this temple was raised by the Pallava king during later part of 8th century A.D. At a later date medieval Cholas, later Pandyas, Vijayanagara kingdom and Nayakas of Madurai have greater contribution for the expansion of the temple structures. Besides the masonite structures of Thiruvellarai Pundarikaksha Perumal temple, there are two rock-cut cave temples excavated on a granite mound. The rock-cut caves bear the Pallava sculptural depictions of Lord Narasimha and Lord Varaha as well as three inscriptions: two of them assignable to Pallava king Nandivarman II (732 - 736 A.D.) and the third one assignable to that of  Pallava king Dantivarman (795 - 846 A.D.).

Thiruvellarai Sri Vinnagaram is referred to  as "periya Sri Koyil" (பெரிய ஸ்ரீ கோயில்) in the 8th regnal year (978 A.D.) inscriptions of  of Mathuranthaka Uthama Chola (மதுரந்தாக உத்தம சோழன்)  Another inscription of Rajaraja I (முதலாம் இராஜராஜன்) mentions "Thiruvallarai forming part of Pachil Kurram (பாச்சில் கூற்றம்) (like the present taluk), Rajaraja valanatu (இராஜராஜ வளநாடு) (like the present district)."

This post is about the unusually deigned well located at the back of the (beyond the compound wall of the) temple premises. This swastika (ஸ்வஸ்திகா) shaped well is surrounded by hedges and bushes.   It is protected by Tamil Nadu state department of Archaeology and  renovated with the financial assistance of 13th finance commission 2013-14.  The well together appears like the symbol 'Swastika.' Each wing of the Swastika has 51 steps leading to the water and, on descending down the 20th step, one has to take a right to reach the tank below. The supporting beams made of stones criss-cross the structure.  The peculiar feature of the well is that it ensures privacy for those taking bath in the four enclosures. Hence local people call it as Mother-in-law - Daughter-in-law Tank (மாமியார் மருமகள் குளம் அல்லது கிணறு) since when taking bath in this tank both of them would not be visible to each other. This peculiar shaped well was excavated by one Kamban Araiyan (கம்பன் அரையன்) from Alampakkam during the year 805 A.D. during the reign of Pallava king Dantivarman (746 - 847 A.D.). It was excavated under the instructions of Dantivarman. The well is named after 'Marpiduku' one of the royal titles king Dantivarman and popularly called as 'Marpiduku great well.'    There are statues of Nandhi (bull vehicle) and Nagas (serpents) found around the well. According to the hoarding kept there the well underwent renovation during the 13th century A.D. by Yosala Veera Ramanathan (யோசால வீர இராமநாதன்) and this renovation was carried out by Kudanthai Vanigan Uyyaneri Kaatinaan (குடந்தை வணிகன் உய்யநெறி காட்டினான்).

An inscription found on one of the side wall of the well speaks about the excavation of the great well:

No. 40 - (A. R. No. 541 of 1905) - Tiruvellarai, (then) Lalgudi Taluk, Trichinopoly District. On the margin of a well called 'Nalumulaikkeni' (நாலுமூலைக்கேணி) - This inscription records the construction of a well called Marppidugu-Perunkinaru (மார்பிடுகு பெருங்கிணறு) at Tennur (தென்னூர்) in Tiruvellarai by Kamban Araiyan (கம்பன் அரையன்), the younger brother of Visayanallulan (விசெயநல்லூழன்) of Alambakkam (ஆலம்பாக்கம்), in the 4th year of Dantivarman.  Published in Epigraphia Indica, Vol. XI, p. 157.  (Grantha and Tamil characters)

ஸ்வஸ்தி ஸ்ரீ பாரத்வாஜ கோத்திரத்தின் வழித்தோன்றிய

பல்லவ திலத குலோத்பவன் தந்திவர்மர்க்கு யாண்டு

நான்காவ தெடுத்துக் கொண்டு ஐந்தாவது முற்றுவித்தான்

ஆலம்பாக்க விசெய நல்லூழான் தம்பி கம்பன் அரையன்

திருவெள்ளரை தென்னூர் பெருங்கிணறு இதன் பியர்

மார்ப்பிடுகு பெருங்கிணறு

"The object of the inscription is to document the well known as Marpidugu Perungkinaru at Thiruvellarai Thennur. Kamban Araiyan (A Mutharaiyar chief), the younger brother of a certain  Viseya Nalluzhan of Alampakkam. Commencing the work from fourth year of Kulothbhavan Dantivarman of Pallavatilata (tilaka) family  which is said have sprung from the Bharathvaja Gothram and completed in his 5th year at Thiruvellarai Thennur and named it as 'Marpiduku Perungkinaru.'   

The section 2 of the inscription is the Tamil verse (தமிழ் செய்யுள்) and is composed in Asiriyappaa metre (ஆசிரியப்பா செய்யுள்). Here Kampan Araiyan speaks about the immortal life of humanbeing (மனித வாழ்க்கையில் நிலையாமை):

ஸ்ரீ கண்டார் காணா உலகத்திற் காதல் செய்து நில்லாதேய்
பண்டேய் பரமன் படைத்த நாள் பார்த்து நின்று நைய்யாதேய்
தண்டால் மூப்பு வந்து உன்னைத் தளரச் செய்து நில்லாமுன்
உண்டேல் உண்டுமிக்கது உலகமறிய வைம்மினேய் 

This poem in Tamil declares that no object in this world is permanent. I saw a person yesterday. Today I couldn't see him because he died. Human life is immortal and impermanent. In such a world of impermanence don't fix your love (likes) on the materialistic objects. Lord of Creation has made you to give birth on a specific day. As the human life is immortal, don't forecast future from your day of birth and confuse yourself emotionally. Before age could wither your body and to shrink,  consume (spend your wealth) reasonably well for your maintenance purposes and leave the remainder of your wealth for charity.   

Reference:

1. கோயில் வளாகத்தில் மார்பிடுகு பெருங்கிணறு. குடவாயில் பாலசுப்ரமணியன். தினகரன் 25.1.2014
2. திரு.எஸ்.இராமச்சந்திரன், கல்வெட்டறிஞர், ரீச் ஃபவுண்டேஷன் கல்வெட்டியல் வகுப்பு. 12.12.2014

YouTube Video by Subashini Tremmel

Thirakoil Digambar Jain Temple and Hill

Jinagiri Palli (Thirakoil)

Chandranathar (8th Tirthankarar)

Jinagiri Palli (Thirakoil)

Parsvanathar the 23rd tirthankarar

Mahavir, the twenty-fourth tīrthaṅkarar

Foot-hill Temple Dedicated to Adhinathar with sanctum, antarala, ardhamantapam and mahamandapam, built after 'Jinagiri Palli' i.e, around 11th century AD. and the mahamandapam around 13th century AD.

Digambara Jain temple devoted Lord Adhinathar on top of Thirakoil hillock known as Mai Siddhappalli or Siddhaperumpalli.

Bas-relief image of Adhinathar measuring about 3 feet in height appear on one of the boulders located at the southern side of the foothills.

Our team of five members decided to explore Jain monuments in Tiruvannamalai district from dawn to dusk on Sunday, 1st September 2014. Ramesh Muthian, Jeyaganthan and me assembled at a point and Devanathan Kannan was ready with his car by 05.30 am. We proceeded to Utharamerur and picked Sashi Dharan. Sashi Dharan desired to visit Kundhavai Jinalayam, Tirumalai village  near Polur and we proceeded to Vandhvasi and from there  we decided to  stop wherever a Jain monument appear.

The natural caverns, found in many hilly terrains of Tamil Nadu, served as Jain abodes.  More than one hundred Jain abodes have been identified archaeologists amidst rocky mounds and hillocks in Madurai, Pudukkottai, Periyar, Trichy, Tiruvannamalai, Vellore, Kanchipuram, Villupuram districts.  Jain abodes at natural cavern bear the earliest Brahmi incriptions dating back from 2nd century BC to 3rd or 4th century AD communicating the early spread of Jainism in Tamil Nadu.

Tiruvannamalai district has seven taluks - Arani, Chengam, Cheyyar, Polur, Thandarampattu, Tiruvannamalai and Vandhavasi. Except Chengam and Thandarampattu, the other taluks are historically huge Jain region with plenty of Jain monuments as old as 5th century CE showing Jain sculptures, Jain paintings and Jain Beds in caverns everywhere. But they do not posses Brahmi inscriptions. The Jain monks resolved to spend their lives in splendid isolation, engaging themselves in contemplation and religious pursuits. The Pallava and Chola monarchs have inscribed their 'Pallichandham' endowments, land and other grants, gifts etc, to these Jain shrines.

Our first stop was Thirakoil (Tamil: திறக்கோயில்) in the Vandavasi taluk, Tiruvannamalai district. This 8th Century AD Digambar Jain Temple and Hill devoted to Adhinathar (Rishabhanathar), the first Jain Tirthankar or or "ford-maker" forms one of the important Jain Tirth (pilgrimage) centers of Tamil Nadu.

Though there are number of Jain caves all over Thiruvannamalai district, not many are well known to the heritage lovers. Thirakoil is a "must go place" if you like Jain heritage and architecture. Better to visit with friends or family and needs to accompany with a person knowledgeable about the district and heritage destinations.  

Thirakoil, the tiny village is located one kilometer away from the Mazhaiyur - Desur - Thirakoil Road junction and can be reached here through private buses either from Desur or Kilputhur. The picturesque Thirakoil hillock and the scattered boulders runs through the village from north to north-east direction. Three modest, naturally formed caves in the hill were utilized as peaceful Jain Abodes (சமண பள்ளி) during 8th Century AD i.e, Pallava era. Now they are the old relics of the once flourishing Jainism in Tamil Nadu.

There are two ancient Digambar Jain Temples at Thirakoil Jain Temple complex. The most ancient among the two is the small square shaped ‘Adhinathar Shrine'  located on top of the Thirakoil hillock  and the second one is ‘Adhinathar Shrine’ at the foothills which came after one hundred years or so. The entire Thirakoil Jain Temple complex is protected by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).


To the south of the Thirakoil hillock and near to the entrance of the Thirakoil Temple complex lies 'Jinagiri Palli' (ஜினகிரி பள்ளி) the globular rock bearing the sculptures of four Jain tirthankars. ASI has enclosed this historical rock within iron grills.

1. Adhinathar aka. Rishabanathar first thirthakara appear seated in padmasana (lotus posture) in dhyana mudra (meditation) on a lion throne. Above him are Prabha-chakra (Divine Aura)  and triple umbrella. On his two sides are figures of chauri (whisk) bearers. The image faces east.

2. Mahavirar 24th thirthakara appear seated in padmasana (lotus posture) in dhyana mudra (meditation) on a lion throne.  Above him are Prabha-chakra (Divine Aura)  and triple umbrella.  On his two sides are figures of chauri (whisk) bearers. The image faces east. There is a niche for lighting oil lamp.

3. Parsvanathar 23rd thirthakara standing on lotus flower with five -hooded serpent canopy above his head. Around his shoulder level Kamada preparing to attack the saint with  stone. The  image of the Yaksha Dharanendra kneeling down before the Lord and the image of Yakshi Padmavati keep spreading the umbrella and protecting the Lord from Kamadan's attack.

4. Chandranathar aka C handraprabhar  appear seated in padmasana (lotus posture) in dhyana mudra (meditation) on a lion throne.  Above him are Prabha-chakra (Divine Aura)  and triple umbrella.  On his two sides are figures of chauri (whisk) bearers. The lotus pedestal bears crescent moon emblem.  The image faces north and receives the pilgrims at the entrance.
 

Three natural caverns mentioned above are located on the eastern and western sides of the hillock. At these natural caves number of Jain monks formed "Jain Muni Sangh" (Union of Jain monks) and observed meditation, practiced for self-recognition and purification.
 
The inscriptions at Jinagiri Palli address this place as Mai Siddhappalli ( .........மை சித்தப் பள்ளி). Since the first nine characters of the Tamil word group cannot be deciphered, the epigraphists read it as Mai Siddhappalli ( .........மை சித்தப் பள்ளி) and this name was coined by the scholars to address this temple. The word 'palli' (பள்ளி) has a strong association with Jainism and the ascetics used to call their education centre as 'palli'.

The Parakesarivarman Chola inscription (ARE  277 of 1916) is seen nearer to Adhinathar sculpture (on Jinagiri rock) speaks about the gift of sheeps made by Eranandhi for burning perpetual lamp in Thandapuram Jinapalli (தண்டாபுரம் ஜீனப்பள்ளி). The ancient name of this Jain temple was Thandapuram Jinapalli.

The Rajaraja Chola I's inscription located near Parsvanathar sculpture (on Jinagiri rock) dated 1007 AD. (ARE 277 of 1916) bears the name of this hill temple as 'Gangasoora perumpalli' (கங்கசூர பெரும்பள்ளி) located in Rajakesaripuram (இராசகேசரிபுரம்) - the other name of Thirakoil. In spoken language this temple is also known as Kangaraiyan Palli (கங்கரையன் பள்ளி).

Another Parakesarivarman Chola's inscription (ARE  279 of 1916)  nearer to Adhinathar sculpture informs about the gift of paddy by Kanakavirasithadikal to the temple. There is one more inscription (ARE 278 of 1916) not readable fully - (on the western side of the Jinagiri rock) brings out the gift of gold for burning perpetual lamp.

A flight of narrow steps (carved on the highly sloping rock) leads to the top of the hill. The climb atop the hill is tremendous fun; and a bit taxing on your breathing rhythm. The view from the top is awesome.

The inscriptions indicate that this Digambara Jain temple devoted Lord Adhinathar on top of Thirakoil hillock as Mai Siddhappalli or Siddhaperumpalli. The present temple structure was constructed quite recently on the vestiges of the ancient hill temple. The shrine has sanctum, antarala, ardhamandapam, and mukhamandapam. The two pilasters standing between the ardhamandapam and mukha mandapam have the Pallava style Pothikai (cornice) on top. The previous rectangular shaped ancient brick structure would have constructed during 6th century AD. The sanctum and shikara got dilapidated over a period of time.  The bricks used appear in unusual in size (L 26 cm x W 16 cm x H 7 cm).  The vestiges of perimeter wall around the hill temple could be noted even now.

The idol of Lord Adhinathar, the prime deity got broken into three pieces. Now this sculpture is displayed in the Government Egmore Museum, Chennai. They have replaced the broken idol with new one from the foothills temple. This 3 feet tall and proportinally narrow idol, without the identification symbol of Tithankara kept at ardhamandapam, is considered as the most ancient among the idols worshiped in this temple. The wide triple parasol or umbrella above the head and the thick band of divine halo  behind Him indicate the age of the idol. The stout hands and short ear lobes (not touching the shoulders) designate the idol to 7th century AD.

At the foothills there is Adhinathar temple with sanctum, antarala, ardhamantapam and mahamandapam, built after 'Jinagiri Palli' i.e, around 11th century AD. and the mahamandapam around 13th century AD. The vratta sthamba (rounded pillars) are seen both in the ardhamandapam and mahamandapam. The 13th century inscription on this pillar speaks about Idaiyaran Atkondan of Devapuram and his gift of rounded pillars to the temple.  The three feet high idol of the prime deity Adhinathar (in seated posture) with damaged nose is kept at mahamandapam. The present idol of  Lord Adhinathar, the prime deity is sculpted with white marble. The sculpture depicts him seated on the lions throne in the lotus position or kayotsarga.

There is an awesome bas-relief of Adhinathar measuring about 4 feet in height appear on one of the boulders located at the southern side of the foothills. It reminds the sculpture at Madurai Pechipallam.

How to get there

The Jain abode is located 15 km southwest оf Vandavasi, 7 km frоm Ponnur Kundkundar Philosophical Center. Only private buses and taxis are available from Desur or Kilputhur. Bus commuters to walk approximately one kilometer from main road to reach Thirakoil.

Nearby Jain Temples:

Desur: Shri 1008 Atheeswarar Jinalayam, a three-centuries old ancient temple. Lord Adeeswarar (Virushabanath) – the first theerthankara – as main deity.

Ponnur Hills: Ponnur Hills, which is famous for Acharya Kund Kund, is 8 km from here.

Thirakoil: Thirakoil, a historic cave temple, is 3 km from here.

Mel Sithamur: Mel Sithamur, a primary religious center for Tamil Jains with temples of Lord Parswanath and Mallinath, is 38 km from here.

Thirumalai: Thirumalai, with a Jain math and unique cave temples, is about 50 km from here.

Youtube

Jinagiri Palli (Jain Abode) at Thirakoil, Tamil Nadu, India by R Muthusamy 

Thirakoil Jain Heritage Site of 8th Century CE

Virinchipuram Temple Inscription: Say No to Dowry by Brahmins of Padaividu kingdom

Marriage Ceremony

Virinchipuram Maragathambihai samedha Margabandheeswarar temple near Vellore, Tamil Nadu

Beautifully sculpted Mandapam at Virinchipuram Maragathambihai samedha Margabandheeswarar temple

 A Tamil Inscription from Margabandeswarar Temple in Virinchipuram offers some respite for DOWRY, THE SOCIAL CURSE that has vexed Brahman community during the reign Devaraya II (reigned 1432–46), Vijayanagara emperor.

Agreement against Dowry by Brahmanas of the kingdom of Padaividu

This inscription refers to the Brahmana Dharma (Sacred Law of Brahmans) and specific reference to the Brahmanas of the kingdom of Padaividu (town of  Padavedu - previously known as Padaividu - now in the Polur Taluk, Thiruvannamalai district) including Karnataka, Tamil, Telugu and Lata (the old name of Gujarat) Brahmanas. An agreement, signed by the representatives of Brahmanas of the kingdom of Padaividu , vouch to conduct marriages in their families as mere 'Kanyadhana.' - the part of the marriage ceremony where the bride's father only gives away the bride to the bridegroom. Both fathers of bride and bridegrooms who accepted money and the who paid the money, should be subject to punishment by the king and to excommunication for their caste. The canonical works  on sacred law discourages the practice of paying money as dowry. The marriage thus concluded is termed as 'Asura Vivaha' and the sacred law condemns such practices.

What is dowry? Dowry is a transaction between two parties involving cash, or other valuable articles such as precious metals, gems, clothing, appliances, real estate, or goods for entertainment, made as a condition for entering a marriage contract. 

Although dowry was illegalized in 1961 (The Dowry Prohibition Act of 1961 in India), people from almost all castes are demanding dowry to different extents. Youngsters and parents view dowry as a 'way of accumulating economic capital.'

Newspapers and other media report daily about dowry harassment ranging from a lifetime of verbal abuse to extreme physical and sexual abuse. It is also closely interlinked to  female infanticide, neglect of the girl child, denial of educational and career opportunities to daughters, domestic violence, rape, extortion, homicide and other kinds of discrimination against women.

In Tamil society dowry and prestige are the two closely related social issues. Those who are in their demanding side never wants to give up and those who are in the accepting side always yielding to the demand in spite of great deal of difficulties.

Present day consumerism wants to say no to dowry. Women’s rights organisations are turning  the miseries of dowry victims.

Inscription inside the front gopura of the Virinchipuram Temple

(No.56 Inside the front gopura of the Virinchipuram temple, second inscription to the right: III - Inscriptions at and near Virinchipuram. Tamil and Grantha Inscriptions. South Indian Inscriptions)

Tamil Text

சுபமஸ்து. ஸ்வஸ்தி ஸ்ரீ . ஸ்ரீமன் மகா ராஜாதிராஜ பரமேசுவரரான ஸ்ரீ வீரபிர
தாப தேவராய மகாராஜர் ப்ரித்விராஜ்யம் பண்ணி அருளானின்ற சகாப்தம்
1347ழின் மேல் செல்லானின்ற விஸ்வாசு வருஷம் பங்குனி மாதம் 3க்கு
சஷ்டியும் புதன்கிழமையும்பெற்ற ஆநுசத்து நாள், படைவீட்டு இராஜ்யத்து
அஸேஷவித்யமஹாஜநங்களும் அகர்கபுஷ்கரணி கோபிநாத ஸன்னதியிலே
தர்ம ஸ்தாபந மையபத்ரம் பண்ணி குடுத்தபடி

இற்றைய நாள்முதலாக இந்த படைவீட்டு ராஜ் யத்து பிராமணரில்
கன்ன(டி)கர் தமிழர் தெலுங்கர் இலாளர் முதலான ஆஸேஷ கோத்திரத்து
அஸேஷசூத்தரத்தில் அஸேஷகையிலவர்களும் விவாஹம் பண்ணுமிடத்து,
கன்னியாதானமாக விவாஹம் பண்ணக் கடவராகவும் கன்னியாதானம்
பண்ணாமல் பொன் வாங்கி பெண் கொடுத்தால், பொன் கொடுத்து விவாஹம்
பண்ணினால், ராஜ தண்டத்துக்கும் உட்பட்டு பிராமண்யத்துக்கும்
புறம்பாகக் கடவரென்று பண்ணின தர்ம ஸ்தாபன மைய பத்ரம்; இப்படிக்கு
அஸேஷ வித்ய மகாஜனங்கள் எழுத்து

Translation

Let there be Prosperity! Hail! On the day of (the nakshatra) Anusham (Anuradha Star constellation) which corresponds to Wednesday, the sixth lunar day, the 3rd (solar day) of the month of Panguni (Tamil Calendar month) of the Visvavasu (Tamil Calendar year) year, which was current after the Saka (Shalivahana calendar) year 1347 (had passed),  while the illustrious maharajadhiraja-parameswara, the illustrious Virapratpa-Devaraya-maharaja was pleased to rule the earth,-the great men of all branches of sacred studies of the kingdom (rajyam) of Padaividu drew up, in the presence of (the god) Gopinatha (of) Arkapushkkarini, a document (which contains) an agreement fixing the sacred law. According  to (this document), if the Brahmanas of this kingdom (rajyam) of Padaividu, viz., Kannadigas, Tamilas, Telungas, Ilalas, etc.,of all gotras, sutras,  and  sakhas conclude a marriage, they shall, from this day forward, do it by kanyadana. Those who do no adopt kanyadana, i.e., both those who give away after having received gold, and those who conclude a marriage after having given gold, shall be liable to punishment by the king and shall be excluded from the community of Brahmanas. These are the contents of the document which was drawn up.

The following are the signatures of the great men of all branches of sacred studies:-

Virinchipuram Maragathambihai samedha Margabandheeswarar temple

Virinchipuram Maragathambihai samedha Margabandheeswarar temple is located near Vellore town in the Chennai-Bangalore Highway. The east facing temple is around 1300 years old and is very rich in extraordinary sculptures and artistic pillars. The legend is found in  Arunachala Puranam, Siva Rahasiyam, Kanchi puranam and many other holy books . Aadhi Shankaracharyar did the Beejakshara Pradhishtai to the Simha theertham of the temple. The temple was venerated by Thirumoolar, Pattinathar, Thirugnana Sambhandhar, Appar, Arunagirinadhar, Appayya Dikshithar and few others. The holy tree is palm and the holy water tanks include Simha Theertham, Sooli Theertham and Brahma Theertham.

Reference

No.56 Inside the front gopura of the Virinchipuram temple, second inscription to the right: III - Inscriptions at and near Virinchipuram. Tamil and Grantha Inscriptions. South Indian Inscriptions http://www.whatiindia.com/inscriptions/south_indian_inscriptions/volume_1/virinchipuram.htm.

Tamil Numeration System: Learn Tamil Numbers to decipher Inscriptions

Tamil Inscription from Darasuram showing Tamil Numerals

Early civilization have understood the importance of numbers and the ways to handle them and every society had their own representation of numbers in their age and every civilization had different glyphs to represent number.

The Hindu-Arabic numeration system also called the decimal numeration system (Latin word decem, meaning "ten."), is the most popular numeration system used by people today. Positional numeration or decimal place-value numeration is the system of representing or encoding numbers. This numeration system uses Arabic numerals. 

Aryabhata I or Aryabhata the Elder  (476–550 CE), an astronomer and the earliest Indian mathematician from either Ashmaka or Kusumapura, India developed the place-value notation.  Brahmagupta (598 –.670 CE) from Bhinmal, Rajasthan another Indian mathematician and astronomer introduced the symbol for zero as well as rules to compute with zero in his work Brahmasphutasiddhanta (The Opening of the Universe), in 628 CE.

This numeration system and its glyph notations developed from Indian Brahmi numerals and the full numeration system was first developed in India (around A.D. 800). The numeration system was first reported in Al-Khwarizmi's On the Calculation with Hindu Numerals and in Al-Kindi's four volume work On the Use of the Indian Numerals. At later stage it was refined by Arabs.

1. Hindu-Arabic numeration system uses 10 digits or symbols that can be used in combination to represent all possible numbers. The numeration system digits or symbols are: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

2. Numeration system groups by tens: Ten ones are replaced by one ten, ten tens are replaced by one hundred, ten hundreds are replaced by one thousand, 10 one thousand are replaced by 10 thousands, and so forth...

3. Numeration system uses a place value - starting from right to left;

1. the first number represents how many ones there are
2. the second number represents how many tens there are
3. the third number represents how many hundreds there are
4. the fourth number represents how many thousands there are

    and so on...

Tamil numeration system (தமிழ் எண்கள், தமிழ் இலக்கங்கள்) is the forgotten numeration system by the Tamil speaking people today. The numeration system employs Vattezhuttu

glyph notations to represent numerals from "ONE" to "NINE." It is interesting to find that the numeration system doesn't contain a Tamil glyph notation to represent zero. People wondering why the Tamil numeration system does not have any glyph for "ZERO". Absence "Zero' makes it as the non-decimal numeration system.

1. Tamil numeration system uses the simple additive systems (sign-value notation). This single value notation and numeration system was adopted before positional notation became standard. In sign-value notation only digits or symbols can be used in combination to represent all possible numbers. The numeration system digits or symbols are:

Thus digits ONE to TEN represented as shown below: 

௧= 1 ௨= 2 ௩=3 ௪= 4 ௫= 5 ௬= 6 ௭= 7 ௮=8 ௯=9 ௰= 10

Thus digits ELEVEN to TWENTY represented as shown below:

௰௧ = 11 ௰௨ = 12 ௰௩ = 13 ௰௪ = 14 ௰௫ = 15

௰௬ = 16 ௰௭ = 17 ௰௮ = 18 ௰௯ = 19 ௨௰ = 20

The digits TWENTY ONE to TWENTY NINE represented below

௨௰௧ = 21 ௨௰௨  = 22 ௨௰௩ = 23 ௨௰௪ = 24  ௨௰௫ = 25

௨௰௬ = 26 ௨௰௭ = 27 ௨௰௮ = 28 ௨௰௯ = 29

The digits THIRTY to NINETY represented below

௩௰ = 30 ௪௰ = 40 ௫௰ = 50 ௬௰ = 60 ௭௰ = 70 ௮௰ = 80 ௯௰ = 90

The digits 101, 110, 111, and 156

௱௧ = 101 ௱௰ = 110 ௱௰௧ = 111 ௱௫௰௬= 156

The digits 201, 210, 211, and 256

௨௱௧ = 201 ௨௱௰ = 210 ௨௱௰௧ = 211 ௨௱௫௰௬ = 256

The digits 900 , 910, 911, 990, 999

௯௱ = 900 ௯௱௰ = 910 ௯௱௰௧ = 911 ௯௱௫௰௬ = 956 ௯௱௯௰ = 990 ௯௱௯௰௯ = 999

The digits 1000, 1001, 1010, 1056, 1111, 1156

௲ =1000 ௲௧ = 1001 ௲௱௰ = 1010 ௲௫௰௬ = 1056 ௲௱௰௧ = 1111 ௲௱௫௰௬ = 1156

2. Numeration system groups by nine: It had separate glyph for numbers TEN ௰  HUNDRED ௱

and THOUSAND ௲

3. Tamil Numeration system does not have a place value: 

Multiples of ten (பதின்பெருக்கம்)

10 (10 to the power of 1) Ten Patthu பத்து ௰
100 (10 to the power of 2) Hundred  Nooru நூறு ௱
1,000 (10 to the power of 3) Thousand Aayiram ஆயிரம்  ௲
10,000  (10 to the power of 4) Ten Thousand Patthayiram பத்தாயிரம் ௰௲
1,00,000  (10 to the power of 5) Hundred Thousand (One Lakh) Noorayiaram நூறாயிரம் ௱௲
1,000,000  (10 to the power of 6) Million  (Ten Lakh) meiyyiram மெய்யிரம் ௲௲
10,000,000 (10 to the power of 7) Ten Million (One Crore or One Hundred Lakh) ௰௲௲
1,00,000,000 (10 to the power of 8) One Billion (Ten Crore) ௱௲௲
1,000,000,000  (10 to the power of 9) Ten Billion (One Hundred Crore) tollun தொள்ளுண் ௲௲௲
1,000,000,000,000 (10 to the power of 12) One Trillion igiyam ஈகியம்
௲௲௲௲
1,000,000,000,000,000 (10 to the power of 15) Quadrillion neļai நெளை ௲௲௲௲௲
1,000,000,000,000,000,000 (10 to the power of 18) Quintillion ilanchi இளஞ்சி ௲௲௲௲௲௲
100,000,000,000,000,000,000 (10 to the power of 20) vellam வெள்ளம்  ௱௲௲௲௲௲௲
1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 (10 to the power of 21) Sextillion ambal ஆம்பல் ௲௲௲௲௲௲௲

Currently unicode encodes Tamil numerals 1 to 9, 10, 100 and 1000. The proposed position in the Tamil Unicode range (U+BE06) is reserved and has the comment as equivalent digit zero  (U+0030). It is proposed that Tamil zero be encoded at this position:

Hindu-Arabic numeration system	Tamil  Numeartion System	Unicode
1	௧	&#3047
2	௨	&#3048
3	௩	&#3049
4	௪	&#3050
5	௫	&#3051
6	௬	&#3052
7	௭	&#3053
8	௮	&#3054
9	௯	&#3055
10	௰	&#3056
100	௱	&#3057
1000	௲	&#3058

Mr.Raman has developed an online software converter utility for converting the given Hindu Arabic numeration to Tamil numeration: Click here for Tamil Numeration Converter

Source: Tamil Epigraphy – Tamil numbers Raman's Kirukkalkal (wordpress) https://ramanchennai.wordpress.com/2012/01/

Reference:

1. Hindu–Arabic numeral system (Wikipedia) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu_Arabic_numeral_system
2. Numeral system (Wikipedia) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Numeral_system
3. Positional notation (Wikipedia) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Positional_notation
4. Single Value Notation (Wikipedia) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sign-value_notation
5. Tamil numerals (Wikipedia) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamil_numerals

Raja Raja Chola I (முதலாம் இராசராச சோழன்) Fact File

Statue of Raja Raja Chola I (முதலாம் இராசராச சோழன்)

• Raja Raja Chola I (முதலாம் இராசராச சோழன்) 
• Birth Name: Arunmozhivarman
• Dynasty: Chola Dynasty
• Capital: Thanjavur 
• Reign     985–1014 CE
• Ethnic Tamil
• Titles - 42

  1. Rajakandiyan இராசகண்டியன்
  2. Rajasarvagyan இராசசர்வக்ஞன்
  3. Rajarajan இராசராசன்
  4. Rajakesarivarman இராசகேசரிவர்மன்
  5. Rajachrayan இராசாச்ரயன்
  6. Rajamarthandan இராசமார்த்தாண்டன்
  7. Rajendrasimhan இராசேந்திரசிம்மன்
  8. Rajavinodhan இராசவிநோதன்
  9. Ranamukhabhiman இரணமுகபீமன்
10. Ravikulamanickan இரவிகுலமாணிக்கன்
11. Ravivamsasikamani இரவிவம்சசிகாமணி
12. Abhayakulasekaran அபயகுலசேகரன்
13. Arulmozhi அருள்மோழி
14. Arithurkkalangan அரிதுர்க்கலங்கன்
15. Periyaperumal பெரியபெருமாள்
16. Azhakiya Cholan அழகியசோழன்
17. Mumudi Cholan மும்முடிச்சோழன்
18. Panditha Cholan பண்டிதசோழன்
19. Nikali Cholan நிகரிலிசோழன்
20. Thirumuraikanda Cholan திருமுறைகண்டசோழன்
21. Jeyangonda Cholan செயங்கொண்டசோழன்
22. Uthama Cholan உத்தமசோழன்
23. Murthavikramaparanan மூர்த்தவிக்கரமாபரணன்
24. Uthangathungan உத்துங்கதுங்கன்
25. Uyyakondan உய்யக்கொண்டான்
26. Ulagalanthan உலகளந்தான்
27. Thelingakulakalan தெலிங்ககுலகாலன்
28. Keralanthakan கேரளாந்தகன்
29. Murthavikkaramaparanan மூர்த்தவிக்கரமாபரணன்
30. Cholendhrasimhan சோழேந்திரசிம்மன்
31. Cholanarayanan சோழநாராயணன்
32. Cholakulasundharan சோழகுலசுந்தரன்
33. Cholamarthandan சோழமார்த்தாண்டன்
34. Pandykulasani பாண்டியகுலாசனி
35. Sivapathasekaran சிவபாதசேகரன்
36. Singalanthakan சிங்களாந்தகன்
37. Chatrubhujangan சத்துருபுஜங்கன்
38. Chandaparakraman சண்டபராக்ரமன்
39. Jananathan ஜனநாதன்
40. Shatriyasikamani சத்திரியசிகாமணி
41. Keerthiparakraman கீர்த்திபராக்கிரமன்
42. Thailakulakalan தைலகுலகாலன்
 

• Date of Birth Tamil month Aipasi (15th October - 15th November) 943 CE; Tamil month Chithirai (15th April to 15th May) as per Thirupukalur and Ennayiram inscriptions (Ref:  Kallezhuthil kalasuvadukal கல்லெழுத்தில் காலச்சுவடுகள் by S Swiminathan pages 38 - 39)
• Natal star Shatabhisha, also known as Chathayam or Sadayam (Devanagari: शतभिषा)(Tamil: சதயம்), or Shatabhishak or Shatataraka is the 24th nakshatra in Hindu astronomy. (Ref: page 102 of Cholar varalaru (சோழர் வரலாறு ) by C Govindarasanar and C K Deivanayakam)
• Predecessor  Uttama Chola
• Successor   Rajendra Chola I
• Southern Wars    The southern kingdoms of Cheras, the Sinhalas and Pandyas joined hands to fight the Cholas.
• Kandalur Salai    994 CE : successfully campaigned in Kandalur a port town in Kerala.
• Malai Nadu    Defeated the Cheras in a battle, captured Udagai.
• Sri Lanka Conquest   993 CE : Invaded Sri Lanka 
• Northern Wars    Territory expansion in the north & northwest Captured Nolambapadi, Gangapadi and Tadigaipadi.
• Ganga Wars    973 CE: Invaded Ganga country in the absence of Rashtrakutas
• War against Vengi    Waged a war against Vengi, a ruler named Bheema was killed
• Kalinga conquest    Defeated the Andhra king Bhima and invaded the kingdom of Kalinga.
• Naval Conquests    Known for the naval conquest of the 'old islands' (most likely the present-day Maldives), which were 12,000 in number.
• Queens - 15

1. Ulaka Mahadevi உலக மகாதேவி - (Thanthisakthi Vitangi தந்திசக்தி விடங்கி) Queen பட்டத்தரசி
2. Chola Mahadevi சோழ மகாதேவி
3. Abimanavalli Mahadevi அபிமானவல்லி மகாதேவி
4. Thirailokiya Mahadevi திரைலோக்கிய மகாதேவி
5. Panjavan Mahadevi பஞ்சவன்மகாதேவி
6. Prithivi Mahadevi பிருத்திவிமகாதேவி
7. Lada Mahadevi இலாடமகாதேவி
8. Meenavan Mahadevi மீனவன் மகாதேவி - Pandya Princess பாண்டிய நாட்டு இளவரசி
9. Vanavan Mahadevi வானவன் மகாதேவி  (Thiribhuvana Madhevi திருபுவன மாதேவி. Vanadhi வானதி) - Mother of Rajendra Cholan I இராசேந்திர சோழனின் தாய்
10. Villavan Mahadevi வில்லவன் மகாதேவி- Chera Princess சேர நாட்டு இளவரசி
11. Veeranarayani வீரநாராயனி.
12. Nakkanthillai azhakiyar நக்கந்தில்லை அழகியார்
13. Kadan Thongiyar காடன் தொங்கியார்
14. Ilangon Pichiyar இளங்கோன் பிச்சியார்
15. Thailamadhevi தைலாமாதேவி
 

• Parents Parantaka Chola II (957–970 CE) (இரண்டாம் பராந்தக சோழன்) also known by the name Madhurantakan, Sundara Cholan (சுந்தர சோழன்) (Father) and Queen Vanavanmahadevi (Mother)
• Elder Brother  Aditya Karikalan (also referred to as Aditya II) Aditya’s inscriptions use the epithet "Vira Pandyan Thalai Konda Adithha Karikalan" - "...took the head of Vira Pandya".
• Elder Sister Kundavai I
• Sons Rajendra Cholan I (இராசேந்திர சோழன்,) Erivali Gangaikonda Chola (எறிவலி கங்கைகொ ண்ட சோழன் )
• Daughters Madhevadikal (), Arulmozhi Chandramalliyar alias Gangamadheviyar, Kundavai II
• Ascending the throne on the Day 22nd of Tamil month Aadi (15th July to 15 August) year 985 CE (18 - 07 - 985) at the age of 42 years
• Thanjavur Peruvudaiyar Temple was built - Regnal year 25th Day 275 Saturday
• Thanjavur Peruvudaiyar Temple consecrated - 22nd April 1010 CE (புனர்பூசம் Punarpoosam or Punarvasu -  7th Star)
• Died on 17th January 1014 (Regnal year 29, Tamil month Markazhi (15th November to 15 December) Purva paksha (the period of the brightening moon (waxing moon), Chaturdashi Tithi (moon day)
• Lived 71 years
• Ruled the Chola kingdom 28 years 8 months 29 days
• Religious Beliefs Hinduism, Saivism

In Tamil Nadu the temples have over 50,000 inscriptions the economic and socio-political records. The Chola edicts frequently refer about village assemblies (sabhas or mahasabhas), an elected body (represented by elite Brahman scholars of the village) of the ancient panchayat system , which public administered the Brahmadeya (gift to Brahmans) or Devadana (gift to presiding deity of the temple) villages. For every economic unit the Cholas built a temple.  The site for building temple was gifted by village elites. The Chola king donated the agriculture land for the maintenance of the temple. Provisions such as rice, dall. ghee, salt, pepper, vegetables, betel leaves, areca nut etc, were accepted as gift from public.  The Chola temples served not only as places of worship but also as centres of public administration, judiciary and community welfare institutions and secular and cultural spaces authorized to handle public finance. They were also run as corporations. They were authorized issue land grants and empowered to invest their assets as they considered fit. They also functioned as banks and edicted (recorded) the contributions and investments from the king and public. Temples also employed huge skilled manpower - artisans, padiyam (Thevaram) reciters, musicians, dancers (devadasis) etc.  The sabhas or assemblies also provided free Vedic education, food, shelter and even medication to the upper caste boys within temple premises. 

The Chola emperors gave Royal (verbal) orders (tiruvakya-kelvi) to the village assemblies which were drafted by the private secretary and confirmed by the Olainayakam (Chief Secretary) and a Perundaram (higher officials) before its despatch by the Vidaiyadhikari (despatch clerk).

Chola Edict (சாசனம்) Structure (Epigraphy)  into THREE parts: 1. Preamble (முகப்புரை); 2. Notification (குறிப்புரை); and 3. Imprecation (முடிவுரை)

1 Preamble (முகப்புரை)

1.1 Invocation (மங்கலத்துவக்கம்) - Meykeerthi
1.2 Place of the edict (சாசனம் வெளியிடப்பட்ட இடம் ) - ராஜராஜன் தஞ்சைப் பெரியக்கோயிலுக்குத் தானம் வழங்கும் பொழுது இருமுடிச்சோழனின் உள்ளால் திருமஞ்சனச் சாலையில் இருந்த செய்தியைக் கூறுகிறது.
1.3 Name of the king (or queen) who inscribed the edict with his Titles and Traditions (சாசன வெளியீட்டாளரின் பெயர் அவரது விருதுப்பெயர்களும் மரபும்)
1.4 Date of the edict (mentions the day and the regnal year of the king)

2 Notification (குறிப்புரை) - Royal Order Issued verbally (includes the following information)

2.1 Information about the gifts (endowments)
2.2 Name of the donor
2.3 Gifts donated under the specific circumstances if any
2.4 Reason for donation or gift or endowment
2.5 Land endowments are marked with their boundaries - Also mentions the specific geographical classifications like province (Nadu நாடு), District (kurram கூற்றம்), village (கிராமம்), Visayam (விசயம்), Pukthi (புக்தி).
 

Land was measured in (Kuzhi = 11 Cents or 2 Grounds or 4799.96 sft) using Ulagalanthan kol (Chola land measuring rod instituted by Rajaraja Chola) i.e, one rod in length and one rod in width. Three kuzhi of land made one Maa (மா = approx. 33 Cents or 6 Grounds or 14399.88 sft). 20 Maa land was computed as one veli (வேலி = 660 Cents or 120 Grounds or 287997.90 sft). One munthirikai (முந்திரிகை) of land was equivalent to  1/4 Kani or 2.0625 Cents or 0.375 Ground    or 899.99 sft and one kani (காணி) of land was equivalent to 4 Muntirikai or 1.33 Kuzhi or 8.25 Cents or 1 1/2 Ground or 3599.97 sft.

Paddy or rice (or other grains too) was measured in naazhi, padi and marakkal. One naazhi grain was equivalent to approximately 900 gms. Eight naazhi grain was equivalent to half padi. Adavallan Marakkal (Chola grain measuring vessel instituted by Rajaraja Chola) was used to measure grain.
Oil and ghee were measured in azhakku (168 ml), uzhakku (336 ml) and Naazhi (1344 ml)

Gold gifts expressed in weighing units such as Kalanju. Kundrimani (Abrus precatorius) and  Manjadi (Adenanthera pavonina) are very consistent in weight. Ancient Tamils  was used both the seeds as units of weight to weigh gold using a measure called kunrimani seed (0.133 gm) and manjadi seed (approximately 0.266 gm). Twenty manjadis or  forty kundrimanis made one Kalanju (5.320 gms or approximately 1.5 sovereign). Thirty manjadis or sixty kundrimanis made one sovereign or poun weighing 7.98 gm. 

They received gifts of gold, jewellery, paddy and cattle endowments for burning lamps; land endowments to disburse paddy wages to temple staff and supply contractors. If the gifts in coins (காசுக்கொடை), the interest  amount realised was mentioned as polisai kasu (பொலிசை காசு). The money was used to procure rice, dall, ghee, pepper, salt, vegetables, betel leaf, areca nut, sandal paste etc.

3. Imprecation - ஓம்படைக்கிளவி - (முடிவுரை)

The Chola administrative officials responsible for the implementation of the Royal orders (தர்மத்திற்குப் பொறுப்பேற்ற அலுவலர்களின் பெயர்(கள்), நாடு, கூற்றம், கிராமம்) and its authenticity and credibility. 

Edicts of Rajaraja Chola I found on the north-west wall of the Sri Vimana of Peruvudaiyar Temple, Thanjavur

1. Hail! Prosperity! This (is) the edict (sasana) of Rajaraja (alias) Rajakesarivarman, which is cherished by the multitude of the diadems of (i.e., which is obeyed by) the crowd of all princes.

2. On the twentieth day of the twenty-sixth year (of the reign) of Ko-Rajakesarivarman, alias Sri-Rajarajadeva, who – while (his) heart rejoiced, that, like the goddess of fortune, the goddess of the great earth had become his wife, — in his life of growing strength, during which, having been pleased to cut the vessal (kalam) (in) the hall (at) Kandalur, he conquered by his army, which was victorious in great battles, Vengai-nadu, Ganga-padi, Tadigai-padi, Nulamba-padi, Kudamalai-nadu, Kollam, Kalingam, Ira-mandalam, (the conquest of which) gave fame (i.e., made (him) famous) (in) the eight directions, and the seven and a half lakshas of Iratta-padi, — deprived the Seriyas (i.e., the Pandyas) of their splendor, while (he) was resplendent (to such a degree) that (he) was worthy to be worshipped everywhere; — having been pleased to make gifts (in) the royal bathing-hall (tiru-manjana-salai) to the east (of the hall) of Irumadi-Soran within the Tanjavur palace (koyil), the lord (udaiyar) Sri-Rajarajadeva vouchsafed to say: — “Let the gifts made by us, those made by (our) elder sister, those made by our wives, and those made by other donors to the lord (udaiyar) of the sacred stone-temple (tirukkarrali), (called) Sri Rajarajesvara, — which we caused to be built (at) Tanjavur, (a city) in Tanjavur –kurram, (a subdivision) of Pandyakulasani-valanadu, — be engraved on stone on the sacred shrine (sri-viman)!”.

 

"ஸ்வஸ்திஸ்ரீ் திருமகள் போல பெருநிலச் செல்வியுந் தனக்கேயுரிமை பூண்டமை மனக்கொளக் காந்தளூர்ச் சாலைக் களமறூத்தருளி வேங்கை நாடும் கங்கைபாடியும் நுளம்பபாடியும் தடிகை பாடியும் குடமலை நாடும் கொல்லமும் கலிங்கமும் எண்டிசை புகழ்தர ஈழ மண்டலமும் இரட்டபாடி ஏழரை இலக்கமும் (முந்நீர்ப் பழந்தீவு பன்னீ ராயிரமுந்) திண்டிறல் வென்றி தண்டால் கொண்டதன் பொழில் வளர் ஊழியுள் எல்லா யாண்டிலும் தொழுதகை விளங்கும் யாண்டே செழிஞரை தேசுகொள் ஸ்ரீ்கோவிராஜராஜகேசரி பந்மரான ஸ்ரீராஜராஜ தேவர்."

நாம் கொடுத்தனவும், நம் அக்கன் கொடுத்தனவும், நம் பெண்டுகள் கொடுத்தனவும்,கொடுப்பார் கொடுத்தனவும்..இந்த கல்லிலே வெட்டியருளுக என்று திருவாய்மொழிஞ்சருளி

    1.ஸ்வஸ்திஸ்ரீ (Swasti Sri)
    2.திருமகள் போலப் பெருநிலச் செல்வியும் (like the goddess of fortune, )
    3.தனக்கே யுரிமை பூண்டமை மனக்கொளக் (the goddess of the great earth had become his wife  — in his life of growing strength)
    4.காந்தளூர்ச் சாலைக் கலமறுத் தருளி (having been pleased to cut the vessal (kalam) (in) the port (at) Kandalur (= Kandalur is the port town in Chera country)
    5.வேங்கை நாடுங் கங்க பாடியுந் (he conquered by his army, which was victorious in great battles, Vengai-nadu, Ganga-padi,) (Vengai Nadu = East Chalukya country located between Krishna and Godavari rivers; Ganga-padi = Southern part of Mysore province)
    6.தடிகை பாடியும் நுளம்ப பாடியும் (Nulamba - Padi = Chithaldurga and Bellary districts of Mysore state); (thadigai - padi = Located between Ganga-padi and Nulamba padi);
    7.குடமலை நாடுங் கொல்லமுங் கலிங்கமும் (Kudamalai Nadu = Present Kudagu region in Karnataka); (Kollan (Quilon) in Kerala); (Kalingam = Present Odisha state located between Godavari and Mahanadhi rivers)
    8.முரட்டொழிற் சிங்கள ரீழமண் டலமும் (எண்டிசை புகழ்தர ஈழ மண்டலமும் ) ( (the conquest made him famous) in the eight directions) (Singala = Sinhalese region; Eezha mandalam = Present Sri Lanka)
    9.இரட்ட பாடி யேழரை யிலக்கமும் ( the seven and a half lakshs of Iratta-padi) (Iratta-Padi = Southern regions of Maharashtra)
    10.முந்நீர்ப் பழந்தீவு பன்னீ ராயிரமுந் (Munneer Pazhantheevu = Maldives and islands of Arabian ocean)
    11.திண்டிறல் வென்றித் தண்டாற் கொண்டதன் (vendri = Conquered; Thandu = Army)
    12.னெழில்வள ரூழியு ளெல்லா யாண்டுந் (பொழில் வளர் ஊழியுள் எல்லா யாண்டிலும்)
    13.தொழுதக விளங்கும் யாண்டே செழியரைத் (He was resplendent to such a degree that he was worthy to be worshipped everywhere; ) (deprived the Sezhiyars (i.e., the Pandyas)  of their splendor)
    14.தேசுகொள் கோராச கேசரி வர்மரான (Ko Rajakesarivarman) (Thesu = Thejas / splendor)
    15.உடையார் ஸ்ரீராச தேவர்க்கு யாண்டு (the lord (udaiyar) Sri-Rajarajadeva )

Reference

1. முதல் இராசராச சோழன் மெய்க்கீர்த்தி (Wikipedia)
2. முதலாம் இராஜராஜ சோழன்  Blogspot